This is the story of an American male with thyroid cancer who fought cancer and found his passion for life. Allow us to narrate in the first person.
Learned about cancer
In 2004, I was 51 years old. On a normal Monday, I was rubbing my neck as I usually do while working, when I felt a lump. The following Monday, I saw my primary care doctor and had a physical exam. On Wednesday, I went to see the surgeon.
Within two weeks, I had the lump removed and learned I had cancer. A few weeks later, I was told that I had medullary thyroid cancer that had metastasized to my lymph nodes.
This news frightened me in a cold sweat, a feeling only a cancer patient could know I had. I was even more frightened because this type of cancer is rare, and doctors don’t know if I can be cured or how long I can live. Some patients live 20 years, others only 3 years. I have no idea what my fate is.
Starting treatment
Since my first surgery in 2004, I have had 4 cycles of radiation and 4 more surgeries to treat cancer that has metastasized to my spine, ribs, right femur and skull.
In 2008, I was enrolled in a clinical trial of a new drug and had MRI and CAT (Computerized Axial Tomography) every 2 months. As of this writing, no new tumors have appeared in the body.
I am very grateful to my medical team for encouraging me to participate in this trial. Someone will definitely be cured through this study, and it won’t necessarily be me, but it will be someone, so I feel hopeful.
Surviving with cancer
Cancer is scary, but I think it’s also interesting. I was a biology junkie when I was in school and had read every biology book in the library by the time I was in high school. So I enjoyed learning all the information related to thyroid cancer. It also makes me work well with my doctor and helps me to provide help to other patients.
Some people see a diagnosis of cancer as a death sentence. In fact, I see it as a life sentence. Because of cancer, I’ll get things done early that I would have put off until retirement. I was a track star in high school and used to ride motorcycles. I can’t get that “crazy” anymore, but I can still do a lot of other things, like hunting, fishing, archery – I love the outdoors. I’m also working on a ’62 Chevrolet.
I’m a classic Type A personality – hot-tempered and impatient – but with cancer I leave myself a lot of time to relax and have fun. That’s a blessing, I guess.
I don’t consider myself a cancer “survivor”; I prefer to call myself a cancer “fighter. I’m fighting cancer not only for myself and my family, but also for the health care professionals who have helped me.