January 2, 2011. The day I wrote my first blog about being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Little did I know then about what life would look like 13 years later.
January 5, 2011. That was the day that I was rolled into the operating room at Johns Hopkins Hospital and found to have Stage 3 thyroid cancer. It also was the start of my life as a Cancer Warrior Goddess. I decided to make the BIG C into a set of teachable moments (and blogs). One that people loved was for TWITTER SCARVES for CHARITY. How times have changed as I gave up my active Twitter account when it became X!
And, after 13 years I have written much about what I have learned from this cancer journey—the good, bad, ugly, and occasionally comical. Yes, like much in life, my cancer journey has come with a few humorous moments. For example, I will never forget a Hopkins “Junior Doc” asking me during a post-op check-up if the pain in my neck felt like I had been “hit by lightning?”. I tried to explain to him that my discomfort wasn’t THAT serious.
Shortly after, I wrote about this interaction, I discovered “Top Doc” read my blog and decided to use my “lightning” example as a teachable moment. Frankly, I was amazed that Top Doc found the time to read my blog!
Moreover, in these last 13 years I shared some information to educate. This included a few articles about thyroid cancer’s red flags. Also, I have been a contributor to the THANC Foundation and filmed a PSA using sign language about thyroid cancer for the Deaf community.
Related: American Cancer Society – Thyroid Cancer and disorders
In closing, I am lucky. 13 years lucky. Thank you to all who have taken this journey with me and been a support. Most of all – thank you to the medical community who made sure I could celebrate 13 years… and counting…