The chrysalis falls off and the butterfly emerges, unsure of this new life she must now call her own. After hearing the words “cancer” my life radically changed. Now at age 24, I have learned that life is supposed to be fun and vibrant, but also about work and dedication to that which will build me up as a person working for change. I am focused on my studies to gain the credentials I need to helping me become a better educator and eventually a strong leader. I feared telling people about my experience with cancer because I did not want to make it a pity, woe is me story, but rather as a chance to start fresh. Until I did not see cancer as such, I felt it was best not to talk about a very difficult time. I have attempted in this blog to be as raw with my words and feelings as I best remembered them to bring life to my experience. I did not write this blog for myself but rather for the lost young woman with thyroid cancer, afraid, lonely, as I was, so that she knows that although each case is different, one thing remains the same, hope for life and a positive attitude will be your saving grace. I did not know how much until I was able to let go of the anxiety and put my faith and trust in God. All that is meant to be shall be and in the end I ask to know that I changed the life for one person, even if that person is myself. I believe that life is but a beautiful struggle, the more we struggle the more beautiful it becomes. Despite what the priest said in his sermon today, pain is an essential part of love. I will not let painful circumstances bring me down, instead I’ll make them the fuel for my body, the battleship, against the war of life. Cancer is not the end, never see it that way, keep fighting, keep crying, keep laughing, keep searching, keep on loving, keep on keeping on and trust that the butterfly shall fly to a beautiful paradise someday...

I decided to write this blog when I discovered that January was Thyroid Cancer Awareness month in an attempt to increase awareness. It has been nearly 9 months since my diagnosis and I am due for some check ups in February 2010. I do not fear regression anymore because I know that no matter what I am a survivor!  I do not let cancer scare me, and have faith and trust that God knows why things must be the way that they are. I wanted to utilize this final blog post as a form of outreach, asking all thyroid cancer patients to send me any information that was useful to them during their experience at amcruz0928@yahoo.com. Also, I am hoping to come up with ways to serve as an outlet to young people with thyroid cancer. Here are some links I found best useful as well as the list of doctors and their phone numbers for anyone that needs them in the NYC area. May all reading this be blessed with great happiness, and perseverance.

Dr. Laszlo Retsagi (PCP)- 212-319-3977
Dr. Jessica Lim (ENT) 212-434-2323
Dr. Martin Barandes (Endocrinology) 212-249-0622


THANK YOU to: Annie Cok and Hoyu Yiu for the beautiful photography please be sure to check them out at: http://yiuphotography.com/
Thank you to Annie Huaraca, my make up artist and costume designer and my inspirational clothing guru. Please be sure to check her out:
http://acitydoll.blogspot.com
Last but not least a special thanks to ehT Mills for his work on the blog background and layout. He is the true essence of life as a beautiful struggle. Please be sure to check him out at: www.runandeatnyc.com

Websites:
Please see www.checkyourneck.com for information on Thyroid Cancer and the Light of Life foundation.
www.cancercare.org for Counseling Services
www.thyca.org 
www.navigatingcancer.com

Books:
Rubin, Alan. Thyroid for Dummies, 2nd Edition. Wiley Publishing Inc: Indianapolis, 2006.
Arem, Ridha. The Thyroid Solution. Ballantine Books: New York, 2007.

Life is what you make it. Remember that all cancer cases regardless of the similarities are unique in its person. Stay positive, smile off the worries, and live each day in appreciation and recognition of its magnificence. Thank you so much to my readers and please spread thyroid cancer awareness. CHECK YOUR NECK… the examination could save yours or someone else’s life.