Life didn't stop for cancer

Cancer is a six-letter word that nobody wants to hear, especially when it's preceded by the words, "you have."

Since January I've been dealing with numerous health issues that I never previously had: asthma, high blood pressure and fatigue, just to name a few. I went from specialist to specialist, but I wasn't getting better.

In May I had hand surgery. My hand surgeon suggested that maybe there was a rheumatic condition that was causing my health problems.

In July, I was fortunate to be able to no longer work full time. Working part-time would give me more time to be a mom and to pursue other interests.

At the end of July, I saw a rheumatologist. She figured out my problem, but it wasn't rheumatoid; I had a swollen thyroid. After a series of tests, an ultrasound and a biopsy, on Aug. 21 I got a call from my doctor. Then came those dreaded words: "You have cancer."

Me? Have cancer? How could this be? Yes, granted thyroid cancer is a "good" cancer to get, if there is such a thing as a "good" cancer. It's very treatable and the survival rate is incredibly high. But as my endocrinologist told me, "Cancer is cancer." Whatever the type of cancer, once it's in you, you need to fight or face the alternative.

Even with a "good" cancer, I wondered if I would make it. I had friends and family to live for. They were there to support me. However, I thought my pursuit of other interests would have to take a backseat to my medical situation.

Immediately after receiving that dreaded call, I called my cousin in Chicago who had thyroid cancer several years ago, and today he is doing well. In addition to telling me about the fight that I was to begin, he suggested that I contact the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., the place where he was treated. On Sept. 18, I had surgery there.

Surgery was very successful; they excised all the cancer from my body.

Those other pursuits that I thought would take a backseat to my medical ordeal - well, two weeks before surgery, I received an e-mail from a talent agency in Milwaukee wanting to represent me. This was followed by a call from another agency also wishing to represent me. My pursuit of other interests didn't take a backseat to my medical situation.

Today, a few months later, I am living life - happy and healthy. That six-letter word? It's now a thing of the past.

- Pam Stein

Glendale