This is not your neighbor's cousin's mom's friend's cancer

I hear a lot of stories about other people who have experienced thyroid cancer.  They go something like this:

"Oh, you have thyroid cancer?  Well my aunt had that about thirty years ago and she is doing just fine."

"You know, my brother's girlfriend had thyroid cancer several years ago and she hasn't had any other problems."

"My grandmother had thyroid cancer a looooong time ago.  She's dead now, but it wasn't the cancer that killed her.  You are going to be just fine."

OK, so the stories may not go exactly like that, but that's pretty much the gist.  Let me say that I truly truly appreciate the encouragement.  However, I need you to understand that this is my thyroid cancer.  And I don't mean that in a jealous, possessive way.  I mean that everyone experiences cancer differently.  No two people deal with cancer exactly the same.  And while it is encouraging to hear the stories of so many people who have overcome thyroid cancer after a single surgery or one dose of radiation, don't assume that my experience is going to go so smoothly.

confessions of a cancer patient [part 2]

My battle did not end when my thyroid was removed.  That was only the beginning.

The fight against cancer doesn't get easier.  It just becomes more normal.

When I was first diagnosed with cancer I was bombarded with people who rallied around me.  It's been a little over a year, and most of those people are gone.  That still hurts, but it doesn't sting anymore.

I've found new people to support me.  You can meet some of these awesome fighters here.

I still don't want your pity.  And I only want your support if you really mean it.

I have the best family.  Ever.




Check out part one here

how old is old enough?

I'm not too young to drive.  I'm not too young to vote.  I'm not too young to drink.  I'm no longer too young to rent a car.  However, I have heard many times over the past year that I am too young to have cancer.  But I've been wondering, who isn't too young to have cancer?  Is there a certain age where you are suddenly old enough to have cancer?