In loving memory of Felix Rodriguez Jr. (1982 – 2016) When I was 34-years-old I was diagnosed with a highly aggressive form of thyroid cancer and I was certain that I was [...]
My mother and I sat in the tiny waiting room. I sat, she paced the aisle between the row of uncomfortable chairs. In a few hours I would have a life-saving surgery. I [...]
Alone in a one room shed. The grey wood floors match the grey wood walls. Monotony and dim light. No furniture. No warmth. No safety. No sound. There are no doors, [...]
2“The books we need are of the kind that act upon us like a misfortune, that makes us suffer like the death of someone we love more than ourselves, that make us feel as [...]
“When I called Karen to ask her if I could interview her to write about her experience with papillary thyroid cancer, she immediately agreed and we made plans to meet [...]
“Be present in the moment.” he says. “Focus on your breath”. But there is no present. I can’t find it. I can’t hold onto it. There is only the “what if” of [...]
“If you are newly diagnosed with thyroid cancer, be warned that there are many logistics involved when preparing for your surgery, radioactive iodine treatments, and [...]
“Thyroid nodules (lumps) are very common, and therefore it’s likely that one day you may need to have your thyroid biopsied to rule out cancer. The good news is [...]
“I enjoy surrealism is art, movies, and books, but in real life…not so much! My experiences with thyroid cancer diagnosis and treatment have been quite surreal. I [...]
“My reactions to my cancer diagnosis weren’t what I had expected. But one thing cancer has taught me is that emotional reactions to things aren’t always what we [...]