CANCER is CANCER

It has been 10 weeks since the day they found the "nodules" that turned out to be cancer.   It's been 6 weeks since surgery to remove my entire thyroid and 2 weeks since my radioactive iodine treatment to kill the remaining cancer cells.  Every day I feel a little better.  My energy is coming back, my neck is healing and we are slowly getting back to normal.  I even started back to the gym this week.  I go back to the doctor in 5 weeks for more blood work and will continue this process until all my numbers are where they need to be.  It feels good to know I am almost Cancer Free!

As we get back to normal I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on the impact having cancer has made in my life.

Before cancer my train of thought was very different.  I was selfish and let things & people bother me.  I would get worked up over what I now consider to be silly things.  I have always tried to overlook selfish people and not be a complainer but sometimes you get caught up in everyday struggles and drama that you get sucked in.  I had my eyes opened to what it means to have a "real" issue or "problem."

While my cancer was not the "worst" type of cancer....CANCER is CANCER.  The worries, the uncertainty and the fear of the unknown are very real regardless of the type of cancer or the severity.  I have learned many lessons throughout this process.  Lessons in faith, patience, gratitude, kindness, unconditional friendship and unconditional love.  I have often said to people struggling with things "let me know if you need anything."  I actually learned that while that is a nice gesture there is a difference in being a talker and a doer.   Even though I truly meant that I would help out if needed,  I never realized how hard it is for people to know what to ask for and how difficult it is to ask for help.  I have been touched by people who just showed up with food, gift cards, rides for my kids and some even handed us money.  I also found myself very moved by phone calls and text messages.  It takes just minutes out of your day to call or text someone but it meant so much to me to know that that person thought about and made time for me. 

I am thankful that this to happen to me.  I know how strange that sounds but it's the truth.  I now know the power of prayer, what it means to fully give your cares & worries to the Lord and to be a selfless giver.  I also now know that God is in control and has a plan for me and my life.  So yes as strange as it sounds I am thankful for the struggles that have taught my family so many important lessons in the past 10 weeks.


Here are a few very important verses I leaned on throughout this process.

 

Colossians 3:23

²³ "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters"

Proverbs 3:5-6

 ⁵ "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight."

Philippians 4:6-9

⁶ "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."