Bloggers for More Birthdays: A Mama’s Blog
Posted by Heather from A Mama’s Blog is our newest member of the American Cancer Society’s Blogger Advisory Council. She herself is a thyroid cancer survivor and writes movingly about her own battle with thyroid cancer, and those of her readers as well:
The first “person” who came into my mind was all of my blog readers who have thyroid cancer and have written to me with their stories.
I could write about Holly who is 37, and a mom of three, who after having a thyroidectomy in September, and radioactive iodine last month, is facing the possibility her cancer has spread into her lymph nodes. Holly had been told her lymph nodes were fine, but they discovered an area of high iodine intake. If this spot turns out to be lymph nodes, Holly could be facing another surgery to remove them.
Or I could write about Patricia who is also 37, and a mom of two. During the past year, Patricia had a huge lump in her neck and with the urging of her children’s father, she decided to follow up on it. It turned out to be a 6.5 inch goiter. She had a biopsy done on October 15th, and found out early this month it is cancer. Patricia is facing a thyroidectomy surgery within the next two months.
There is Nicholas, who is a physician with three small children, who had a thyroidectomy and a neck dissection in June. He is still having drainage and medication issues.
These are just three people out of the many who write me about their experiences with thyroid cancer. A common theme in many of their letters, is they are looking for support and someone who understands what they are going through. Despite their cancer, and challenges, these cancer patients and survivors continue on in with their lives. They are there for their children and spouses. They are there for their parents who have medical issues themselves, and for the others that rely on them. Most importantly, they continue on for themselves.
Happy birthday, Shaq!
This weekend, my 12-year old daughter and her friends are hosting a surprise birthday sleepover for one of their friends whose mother lost her very short battle with lung cancer this past July. Each year, her Mom would have a huge sleepover birthday party for her which all the girls looked forward to. This will be the first birthday she will have without her Mom and it will probably be difficult for her and her Dad and brothers.
