As I remember Friday 23 June 2000 was not the best day I had ever had.  I was going to see my surgeon as a follow up appointment to previous surgery to remove a ‘cyst' on my neck.  I was in no way prepared for the shock that followed.  He informed me that the pathology results on the ‘cyst' indicated I had thyroid cancer.  He sent me off for more tests and a scan, then to come back the following Friday to hear official results.

Yeah the big "C" if that doesn't shake your world I don't know what will!

Okay home to cry lots and tell friends and family of this new development.  You know what?  Telling them was one of the hardest things I've had to do.  This is where I say it's actually harder to be the "sick" one, because only you can make a game plan of how you are going to handle this.  You can put all your effort into what lies ahead, but those around you who are also affected by this, what can they do or say to make it better or easier?  NOTHING!

The worst thing you may hear is "oh it'll be fine, you'll be Ok."
How can one possibly know that???

What you need to understand is that they feel as shocked and scared as you.  I remember my biggest concern being "how will they cope if I don't make it?"

I wanted to see my kids grow up.  I wanted to see my grandchildren grow up.  I didn't want to upset anyone by dying.
My battle then became one of trying to be strong for everyone else.  This is not so easy.  I remember going to the movies and for a day at the beach.  I was trying so hard to be happy for everyone else but underneath the smile I was crying.  Yet through all of this I did have an inner peace.  I believe God told me I would be OK and all would be well.

When it came to the surgery to remove my thyroid I was full of a worst cold I'd had in years, coughing really bad but lucky for me coughing doesn't affect the throat muscles too much, (more the stomach area) so it went ahead.

My surgeon did a fab job and it did go well for me.  So much so that was all the treatment I required.
Recovery from surgery seemed to take forever.  I went from being fit, to puffing walking to the mail box. (Unbelievably frustrating).  Also while they were adjusting my thyroxin I put on heaps of weight.

It has taken many years to get over the whole ‘cancer' thing.  At the beginning I thought I'd never get through a day without thinking about cancer, however now even though it still pops in now and then it doesn't have the same panic effect and is soon forgotten.
Finally let me share a poem that I wrote during my experience.


                                                                                                                                                 Grateful Survivor