What Important Life Lesson Thyroid Disease Taught You
I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2003 which had metastasized to my lymph nodes. The doctors apologized because all of the normal tests ran for this cancer didn't show any markers that would leave them to believe I was sick. In fact, they kept telling me that it was all in my head, and that I had neck pain due to depression that was making my neck muscles spasm. The truth was I became depressed because the doctors couldn't find what was wrong with me and I kept getting sicker. I lost over 35 lbs in a couple of months.
I have had 3 major surgeries on my neck, radiation therapy. None of this worked.
How Has This Lesson Changed Your Life?
Even though I am back to the drawing board and going in for surgery again, I know that I can make it through this. I have been told now that it looks like I no longer have thyroid cancer. It looks like I have a lymphoma.
I have learned to breathe and to slow down, look, listen, smell, touch and to live life.
Advice
- My advice to you is to be your own advocate. You simply must speak up for yourself. Doctors don't have all of the answers. Educate yourself. Get to know your body. Listen to it. Believe it or not, your body tries to let you know when things are off.
- My last piece of advice would be to live life. Don't let your illness define you. You define it. We are strong individuals and can do anything with the proper tools like diet, exercise and education. Learn what foods are best for you because you truly are what you eat.
- Breathe, smile, love and laugh!
