" You're out of the woods, you're out of the dark, you"re out of the night. Step into the sun, step into the light. Keep straight ahead for the most glorious pace, on the face of the Earth or sky. Hold onto your breath, hold onto your heart, hold onto your hope. March up to the gate and bid it open--open--open." ( from the wizard of oz)

this is referred to as the " words of encouragement song". i do not want to count on too much, too soon, - i am cautiously optimistic, as they say. but i do think i can be happy and certainly hold onto my hope! i keep a copy of these lyrics in my lab coat pocket, and when i start to worry a little, i look at them. i guess at this point, thyroid cancer patients live from scan to scan, so to speak. i am going to try to think positively and look forward.

as for a new doctor, i have  not decided as to what i must do yet. i would like to go to a doctor who has time for me, knows what they are doing, and would return my calls( on something important, of course). is this too much to ask for? i am scheduled for an ultrasound on September 30th. i have no idea why- HELLO, the butterfly has left the building! i guess they are checking up on my remaining two parathyroids? i have no idea exactly where they are, by the way. the surgeon ( i asked him several times) would only say that " he threw them back in there". he was a very good( i sure hope) surgeon, but he drove me nuts.

today, someone asked me if i was " done with my cancer". well, that is an interesting question. as i have said before, cancer does not define me, but it is part of who i am. i have had many blessings i think from having thyroid cancer. i have really learned what is most important in life, and small things do not bother me so much anymore. i think i am more compassionate with people at work- if someone is "behaving badly" i try to figure out what the problem might be instead of taking things so personally. it is tempting at times, to fire back at someone when they act unreasonably, but that only makes things worse for everyone. i am far from perfect on this( i have red hair, o.k.!!), but i am making progress.

i do not think that anyone is ever " done with cancer". your life changes in so many ways,some good, some bad. i am so fortunate to have the support of my family and friends. i am thinking about going to a cancer support group. i live in such a small town, i am not sure one is available. there is a support group an hour away from here, but i am not sure that would be practical.for now, i just enjoy writing in my blog and getting comments from other thyroid patients. it is good to know that you are not alone.