It seems like every couple weeks lately, I learn of someone around my age facing a debilitating illness. For example, the other day I found out someone in my school has non-hongkins lymphoma and now has to undergo chemo and take at least a semester off law school. Another acquaintance of mine was just diagnosed with cervical and uterine cancer and also has to undergo at least 6 months of chemotherapy. Those are just to name a few people suffering who I have more recently became aware of. There are many others amongst us who prefer to not make their ailments known, whether they are embarrassed, scared, or maybe just a private person.
My initial reaction when hearing about these people was to think about how unfair it was to face something so terrible at such a young age. How could they be handed such misfortunes? But then I realized through my own battle with thyroid cancer, that mentality doesn’t get you anywhere. Dwelling on things you will probably never understand just wears you down and makes you angry. instead of focusing on how unfair the situations handed to us can be, it is important to try and be positive. I’m not saying it’s not okay to be angry, I definitely think we all have a right to be angry about things like these. But, at some point you have to learn to channel the anger into positive thoughts or you will only start hurting yourself more.
Here are some ways that I have really learned to channel my anger into more constructive thoughts during my battle with cancer. Hopefully they will help you like they’ve helped me:
1. Be there for your friends. I can’t tell you how much my friends helped me get through my situation. Just a call or text goes a long way to show someone you care. This is also a really great way to tell who your true friends are. My best friend sat in my hospital room post-surgery for like 5 hours while I slept. I didn’t even know she was there until I woke up, and that didn’t even matter to her. This is a true friend guys. Don’t let them go.
2. Realize you’re not alone. Yea, it really sucks being in this position and feeling like not a single other person on the planet can relate. But, there is. And, in a way.. it makes you feel better knowing it’s not just you. So find these people, do some blog searches. Reach out to them! Connecting with other people with thyroid cancer has truly put me at ease. They totally get that my hands and feet are always cold, and that it takes me 100x longer than your average person who still has their thyroid to adjust to new temps.
3. Doctor’s are incredibly smart, but I think med school forgot to tell them how to be sympathetic. Most doctors deliver bad news in the worst way and leave gaps when explaining things to you. Ask questions! Don’t be afraid to ask them what the hell is going on with you, it is their job after all. You’re in this together, and no matter how apathetic your doctor may come off as, they still worry about you at night. The day I found out I had cancer, my doctor walked in the room and said “I have good news! …well I guess it’s not really good news, you have thyroid cancer” I’m not joking.
4. Whatever you do, get off of google. Google searches are where hopes go to die. If google could truly diagnose your problems and give you correct insight, doctors wouldn’t exist. And honestly, if I believed everything I read on google… I would have a new kind of life-threatening illnesses every day. STOP YOURSELF.
5. Don’t be afraid to cry. Come on, we have all watched those sappy love movies where you find yourself crying and it feels surprisingly good. We’ve also all experienced those times when we hold a much needed cry in for so long, that it eventually comes at the most inopportune time. So just get it out, a good cry can really make you feel a lot better. No one will judge you.
6. Your parents are bigger babies than you are. Don’t let their fear control your emotions. I know, no matter how much they try to hide how scared they are… you can always see it. But, you are their baby and they want you to be okay. My mom still calls me every day when I have a cold to ask if I’m okay. I’ve also woken up on countless occasions to her staring at me while I sleep, and then letting me know she is glad everything is okay… creepy. So, let them be scared and don’t let it get to you.
7. Don’t “live every day like it is your last.” I mean, yes you should embrace every day, and make sure everyone important to you knows how much you love them. But, for goodness sakes, do NOT think of it as your last day. Whoever decided “carpe diem” was a cool thing, it’s not.
8. Listen to some Bob Marley, because everything is going to be alright. You may not think so, and it may not seem that way.. but at the end the day you are stronger than you were the day before. No matter what the future holds for us, right now.. everything will be alright.
I hope everyone has a good holiday, don’t forget to be thankful for everything you have been given. As always, thinking of you all! 🙂
My Thyroid Cancer Story 