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A Teacher Masquerading as a Thief
Dear Thyroid;
What my thyroid has stolen from me & taught: In terms of what my thyroid has stolen, it has stolen nothing. If anything, I have gained an array of knowledge about my (now absent) gland.
Last April I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at the age of 20, and had my TT on June 11, 2009. My RAI was in August of 2009. Last year was the toughest year of the 20 I had gone through, but I also received a gift: a clean bill of health.
About three weeks after I had the surgery I was on a plane to Europe to study abroad in London and though I was a little reluctant at first, it was well worth it. I was on T3 at the time so I didn’t “feel” 100%, but the month I was away took my mind off the upheaval my little gland caused. I gained cultural perspective and I met some pretty awesome people. Not bad for a only having surgery a few weeks prior!
My absent thyroid has taught me to also appreciate life and all around give myself to people. Sometimes I think it takes something life changing in order to put life in perspective, and some learn this early in life like I did. I’m now a big advocate for thyroid cancer awareness and even meet with a support group for TC survivors. It seems with this whole ordeal I’ve gained more than I probably would have had I not gone through cancer, and for that, I am grateful.
Alexa
Tags: A Teacher Masquerading as a Thief, Dear Thyroid, thyroid cancer, thyroid cancer community, thyroid cancer misdiagnoses, thyroid cancer patient letters, thyroid cancer support, thyroid cancer survivors, Written by Alexa
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8 Responses to “A Teacher Masquerading as a Thief”
Leave a Reply to Bee
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Alexa, you are so so so inspiring. I love so much how you are able to appreciate the good that has resulted from something so very bad. Getting to the point where I could do that was challenging to say the least, but it’s resulting in a more rewarding life.
Thank you for sharing more of you with us.
xoxo,
Joanna
Hi Alexa,
You amaze me. I think your approach is lovely and inspiring. You give me hope for the future. Cancer can do many things, many of them awful, but it can give us another way of viewing life, a better way, can’t it? It is a life altering experience for sure. I’m beyond thrilled with all that you are doing and so proud of you! Thank you!
Love,
Donna
i love your perspective. i love your spirit. you are amazing. thanks for sharing.
gina
What a Wonderful perspective, THANK YOU for this and continued success in all areas of your life!!!
Terah
Alexa, I can feel your strength, you’re so young and have come through with a positive attitude even though you’ve been through hard times. I wish you many successes and happiness.
WOW-you’re awe-inspiring . You cetainly have a great grasp on how to really live and i’m sure you have a very bright future ahead of you
Thank you all very much! I love you all, your support is greatly appreciated and absorbed. I wish that you all well and I’m grateful to be of part of our community 🙂
Alexis, you certainlyuare inspiring and Love what you
wrote. Especially this bit “Sometimes I think it takes something life changing in order to put life in perspective,” so true.
So pleased you have a clean bill of health enjoy the next 80 years and hopefully you might even get a telegram from our Queen for all the good work you have done in advocating for thyroid cancer.
I doubt she will be around then but whoever takes over our monarchy.
Lolly