Surviving Cancer

The picture above shows the thyroid cancer awareness ribbon.  I had thyroid cancer when I was pregnant with my fourth child, Alexander.  It's a fairly common type of cancer in women and can occur in women of all ages.  I was only 28 years old when diagnosed and it has had a serious impact on my life.  I had my first surgery only 2 months after I gave birth to Alexander.  Dealing with something like this with such a young infant, and three other children to care for, was an obstacle that I hope I never have to handle again.  I explained to my kids that my "butterfly" (because the thyroid is shaped like a butterfly) in my neck was sick which is why I think that the picture shown here is so perfect as a representation of this event in my life.  I went through serious depression, but came out of the experience with an appreciation for life and the determination to live mine.  Cancer is something that has touched all of our lives, either personally or in a loved one, and continues to create obstacles in mine.  With the thyroid affecting so many aspects of your health, it can sometimes be very hard to get out of bed and stay an active member in my own life.

My doctors said that I would probably not have anymore children because of my hormone variations, but five years later, I became pregnant again with my last baby.  We named her Hope Emily because I had several complications with her pregnancy due to my hormonal levels bottoming out with the changing physical needs of my body during the pregnancy.  We had "hope" that she would pull through healthy and normal.  She was born completely healthy (other than a crossed eye....) and is now a normal, active, completely spoiled  one year old toddler, thank goodness!!  That "hope" has continued with her presence in all of our lives.  I'm thankful every day that the doctors were proven wrong, even though we had many reservations about having a fifth child to raise.  She gives much joy to our lives on a daily basis and has been the impetus I needed to finally fulfill my desire for a higher education.  I'm finally open to living and full of "hope" for our future!