Can you believe it’s been three years? I’m not sure where those years have gone, but for the last three years I’ve been surviving. They say after you battle cancer you are not cured — but you are a survivor.
These past few weeks have been so busy for me that I almost forgot today marked my three year thyroidversary. On June 17, 2013, a New York City surgeon removed my thyroid and several lymph nodes in a three-hour procedure. A lot has happened in the last three years. I got a new job, left a job, followed my passion, and wound up here. Sometimes it feels like I’ve done so much in three years; other times I feel as though time has stood still.
I had to acknowledge this significant day. I’ve learned a lot about myself as a person and a survivor over the course of three years — things I’d wish I had known when I was first diagnosed. So here is what I would’ve told my scared 26-year-old self if I could go back in time.
Dear Thyroid Patient,
You may think this diagnosis is the end of the world — that your life will never be the same. It’s not. But your life will never be as it is at this very moment. This diagnosis will test every fiber of you — from your reasoning, determination, inner strength, mental capacity, and spiritual being.
You may feel that you are totally and completely alone, misunderstood, and minimized.
You may have friends and loved ones who are incapable of understanding the physical and mental battle that you will come to know so well.
You may have good days and bad ones.
You may cry yourself to sleep.
You may question why this is happening to you.
You may feel as though you can’t get through it.
Each time you feel this way, remind yourself that this is a marathon and not a sprint. It may be a long battle for you, but it’s one that you will win with a positive attitude. Please know how strong you are. How beautiful you are inside and out. And how loved you are. Even if you don’t feel this way now, you will.
Cancer can take a lot from you — if you let it. But it can never destroy a positive spirit, optimism, hope, and your determination to survive.
At the end of the day, a scar is a sign that you are stronger than what tried to hurt you. Each time you look at your scar in the mirror, you should see a line that represents character, strength, and resilience. And when you feel less than in life, let that scar lift you up and tell you otherwise.
You are not defined by your illness, so allow yourself to redefine it.
Sincerely,
A Thyroid Warrior
After surgery you always hid your scar & if someone brought it up you felt they were invading your privacy. I am glad you have changed your thinking about it. It is part of you and what you went through and your courage! You are loved and an amazing person – never feel you are not! 😍💐
Thank you, Sue! I love my scar — although I still keep it covered in the summer to limit its sun exposure. Thank you for all of your love and support over the years. XO
Thanks for sharing this post. My father just recovered from Thyroid cancer it was a scary thing for our family. Glad to see you are going well and following your passion.
http://www.maggiekrol.com/
Xoxo, Maggie
Thanks, Maggie! I wish your father continued success with his recovery and good health. XO
Dear strong woman,
… beautifully written.
Thank you, Vlad!
Wow, Vanessa, this is such a beautiful post. I cried while reading this. I know I’ve told you this many times, but you are indeed an admirable, strong woman. This letter will certainly touch and inspire every person who takes the time to read it, whether they are dealing with a health condition or not because it embodies the true strength and character of a fighter, with such wise words. I couldn’t agree more about what you said about a scar and what it represents. I have a couple on my breast from the one surgery I had to remove a fibroid and another for a biopsy that thankfully came back negative. My mom has a lot, from the over 5 operations she’s had to remove all of hers before biopsies were even suggested. Each time I look at my scars, it brings me back to the emotions that I had during that time and how, like you mentioned in this letter, proved to be wrong. It tested a lot of me and my faith and looking at them doesn’t bring shame, rather a sense of empowerment. Once again, this is a beautiful post and my most favorite from you. Thanks so much for being so open about your journey, it really is inspirational.
PS: That photo of you is beautiful!
XO,
Jalisa
http://www.thestylecontour.com
As always, thank you for your sweet words, Jalisa! I hope my journey inspires others, and thank you for sharing about your own health struggles. I view my scar as a source of strength, and I’m glad to hear you view yours the same way. I’m thrilled you liked the photo, too. That spot was one of my favorite places to reflect as a college student — and years later, it still brings me the same sense of peace. All the best to you and your mom — you are both strong and courageous women, and I’m so glad we’ve connected through the blogging community. Hope you have a fabulous weekend! XO
This is such a moving post Vanessa! You are a strong woman and I’m so glad that you see all that you have accomplished when you look at your scars. Thanks for sharing your courageous story and keep up the positivity. You are inspiration to all who read this blog and I’m so glad I connected with you. Celebrate you success this weekend girlfriend. You deserve it!
http://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Thanks so much for your continued support, Kathrine! It means the world to me. I’m so glad we have connected through the blogging community. Hope you have a fabulous weekend! XO
You’re such a brave lady and strong fighter! I’m glad to read everything is going well know. Such a beautiful moving post!
XoXo,
Tamara – LoveofMode.com
Thanks, Tamara! I really appreciate your support. Hope you have a nice weekend!
Thank you so much for sharing this. It moved me to tears thinking of what people go through and the amount of strength they need to conjure to get through it all. My mom is currently battling ovarian cancer for her 5th year and while it’s scary, she too keeps an optimistic attitude. Again – thank you for sharing 😉
Love, Lindsey
http://www.thenomisniche.com/
Thank you, Lindsey! I’m wishing your mother all the best and I will keep her in my prayers. XO
You are so brave, strong, and inspiring x
Thank you, Angharad!
wow, so proud of you for sharing! sending so much love your way x http://www.the-beautiful-things.com/
Thank you so much! Hope you have a great weekend.
This is such an inspiring post! Thank you for sharing!
xx
Mademoiselle Coconath
http://mllecoconath.com
Thank you!
This is such a beautifully written post Vanessa. You truly are an inspiration and I hope that others who are faced with similar diagnoses will find and connect with you so that they can have such a shining example of the impact a positive attitude in the face of a potentially devastating situation can make in their lives.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Kasie! I think it’s important to share our stories — good or bad. You never know when they will be the hope that someone needs in their life.
This is written so well! I’m so glad you shared it & I ran across it.
Thank you! So glad you found this post insightful.
Hi, I’m sorry but i’m new to blogging but would like to ask if you would like to do a guest post on my blog/Facebook page. I am a counsellor in training an my blog and work is raising awareness to mental health issues and I am looking to doing a monthly dedication to invisible illnesses and next month will be Thyroid awareness. As i am not a sufferer, i would appreciate any insight you could provide as would the people who follow my pages. Thankyou, hope to hear from you x
I would be happy to guest post on your site! Please feel free to send me an email at vanessa@livinginsteil.com.
You’re awesome, thank you heap, will email you soon!