This month is my seventh year in remission.Most of you know that I had thyroid cancer when I was a sophomore in high school. In 2002 I was considered cancer free. Just to be positive they decided to do a scan and make sure. Being the lucky person that I am, they discovered that it came back. That sucked. Now I'm cancer free AGAIN! I get regular check ups every three months and have even gone to UCLA and MD Anderson in Texas to have check ups done.
Cancer sucks! I have beat it twice and if for some freakin reason I get it again I know that I can beat it. My cancer was really, really easy compared to other types of cancer. I was very young the first time and recovered really fast. The doctors told me "hey guess what, You have cancer", I didn't feel like I had cancer, I was never sick, never weak. It was so strange to be walking around, feeling fine, and know that I had cancer. I have seen friends and family with cancer and they get SICK. I was so, so lucky to catch it when we did. A few surgeries latter and a little radiation and I was all better. . . ok maybe it wasn't that easy (especially on my mom).
The second time was a little harder. I was older and understood how serious it was but it still wasn't THAT bad. I had some more radiation (yes its true I do have a slight glow that radiates off me when its really dark) and few scans, no big deal. In the end it worked out because it made me skinny for my wedding :)
I tried to find some pictures of me when I first had my surgeries. This is the only one I could find. I guess no one wanted to take pictures of the scary girl with her neck cut open. If you look close you can see the drainage tub coming out of my chest. Come on, you know that's COOL!
So to remind myself how strong and determined I was all those years ago, and how strong and determined I will always have to be. . . I got a tattoo. Yep you read that correctly. I got a tattoo! I know that there will be some of you out there that do not approve or understand why I got a tattoo. There are also some of you out there that have not fought cancer twice, and to be honest I didn't get the tattoo for anyone but MYSELF. I love it and it's exactly what I wanted. For those of you that are a excited as I am here are a few pictures.
Yep I got a tattoo on my foot. The blue part of the ribbon represents Thyroid Disease and the purple part represents Thyroid Cancer.
This is the guy that did my tattoo. I don't even remember his name. I was a little nervous.
This is me being strong. . . . not really, this is me smiling for the camera trying to look strong.
Close up of my cancer ribbon tattoo.
I have wanted this tattoo for a really long time. I always talk about getting one but I never do. I have known exactly what I want for years. Saturday night we are at a family party and we start talking about tattoos AGAIN. Jordan (my sister) txt me late Saturday night and says " hey, gonna get a tattoo tomorrow want to come watch?" (yes, Jordan got a tattoo also but that's her story to tell). I say "heck yeah!" in the back of my mind I know I'm gonna get one too. I can't let Jordan be the only one that gets a tattoo. I'm no chicken! So we go down to the Palms Casino and visit the Huntington and Hart Tattoo shop. Jordan was already getting her tattoo by the time I got there and she was in a back room where we couldn't see, that kinda sucked. I check and see if they have anymore appointments and SCORE, they have one left. I decide to take it on one condition, that my mom stays with me while I get the tattoo. She was with me through every cancer, doctors appointment, and everything in between, I just couldn't see getting the tattoo without her. After it was all said and done I got my dream tattoo. I'm not gonna lie. It hurt. If I had to choose between kidney stones and a tattoo. . . . tat me up baby because those stones hurt like HECK!
The second time was a little harder. I was older and understood how serious it was but it still wasn't THAT bad. I had some more radiation (yes its true I do have a slight glow that radiates off me when its really dark) and few scans, no big deal. In the end it worked out because it made me skinny for my wedding :)
I tried to find some pictures of me when I first had my surgeries. This is the only one I could find. I guess no one wanted to take pictures of the scary girl with her neck cut open. If you look close you can see the drainage tub coming out of my chest. Come on, you know that's COOL!
So to remind myself how strong and determined I was all those years ago, and how strong and determined I will always have to be. . . I got a tattoo. Yep you read that correctly. I got a tattoo! I know that there will be some of you out there that do not approve or understand why I got a tattoo. There are also some of you out there that have not fought cancer twice, and to be honest I didn't get the tattoo for anyone but MYSELF. I love it and it's exactly what I wanted. For those of you that are a excited as I am here are a few pictures.Yep I got a tattoo on my foot. The blue part of the ribbon represents Thyroid Disease and the purple part represents Thyroid Cancer.This is the guy that did my tattoo. I don't even remember his name. I was a little nervous.This is me being strong. . . . not really, this is me smiling for the camera trying to look strong.Close up of my cancer ribbon tattoo.I have wanted this tattoo for a really long time. I always talk about getting one but I never do. I have known exactly what I want for years. Saturday night we are at a family party and we start talking about tattoos AGAIN. Jordan (my sister) txt me late Saturday night and says " hey, gonna get a tattoo tomorrow want to come watch?" (yes, Jordan got a tattoo also but that's her story to tell). I say "heck yeah!" in the back of my mind I know I'm gonna get one too. I can't let Jordan be the only one that gets a tattoo. I'm no chicken! So we go down to the Palms Casino and visit the Huntington and Hart Tattoo shop. Jordan was already getting her tattoo by the time I got there and she was in a back room where we couldn't see, that kinda sucked. I check and see if they have anymore appointments and SCORE, they have one left. I decide to take it on one condition, that my mom stays with me while I get the tattoo. She was with me through every cancer, doctors appointment, and everything in between, I just couldn't see getting the tattoo without her. After it was all said and done I got my dream tattoo. I'm not gonna lie. It hurt. If I had to choose between kidney stones and a tattoo. . . . tat me up baby because those stones hurt like HECK!
8 comments:
nice tat.
bahaha
its funny to say that.
i remember that day. i wanted to give you a hug but mom said i couldn't. STUPID RADIATION
oh you glow? really? hmmm I wouldn't mind getting lost with you in the woods.
just kiddin.
LOVE YOU!
okay, no post has ever blindsided me soooo much. You got a tattoo? Never saw that coming. It does look good though and it means something to you and that is what really counts. Its not some skeleton smoking a cigar all over your back (yes, I am speaking of someone we know!)
As to your seven years-yipppppeeeeee! Emily I am so proud of you and your courage through all of that. I remember you getting it the first time and thinking as you did-I never really grasped the severity of what you were going through, even when I saw you in the hospital. You are such an inspiration to me. You always stayed so positive throughout all your treatments and I think that is why I didnt really understand how serious it was. You are absolutely AMAZING-which is why we had absolutely NO RESERVATIONS about naming our daughter Emily-because you have always made me smile and have taught me so much. I am happy that she shares your name (although I could pass on her sharing your health-te he he!) As for that "glow" you have, say what you will, but its not the radiation-its just you and your sparkling personality!
And, just in case this post was not long enough-thank you so much for dinner the other night. It was awesome and we ate it for two days which was even better that I didnt have to cook! You and Jordan are so nice and I really appreciate it. Lets get together soon!
Emmy, you can't do this to a pregnant girl! You are amazing! I remember when you had it the first time, and I would see you around school. I think you are so brave, and I am so proud of you! I hope you never have to go through it again, but if that is what your plan is, I know you will conquer it like you have the last two times!
And the tat....I hate tatoos! But yours made me smile! I think it is, like your scar, your badge of courage! You are one of the strongest people I know, and I am glad to say we are family!
I love you so much, and I hope to see you soon!
You are so brave.....cancer, tatoo! Wow, you are an amazing person and so strong. I remember when you were diagnosed and like everyone else said, you made it seem like it was NO big deal. You are awesome Emily!
Hey girl! I found you off of whitneys blog. It's Jennifer Davidson (now lanier) I had no clue in high school you went through that! No wonder why you are such a strong person. You and I were deliverying our babies in the same hospital ,the same day! Your mom-in-law spilled it. It is so good to see pics of your sweet family. You and kenny are the best. I'm glad you are bringing lil ken-em's into the world, we need more peeps like yas! Thanks for being such a great example to me in high school, my life is so much better because of knowing you and Christina Judd! thanks foreva! Oh don't worry bout that cancer, i think after kickin it's booty twice, its too scurred!
Wow Emily, I can't believe it has been so long!! I don't think I really relized what you were telling me when you had cancer in high school. Not to underestimate anything, but what made it seem so threatening at the time was that you might not be able to play volleyball. Wouldn't that be nice to have volleyball be the most important things in our lives again.
I didn't even know about the 2nd time until you had already gone though everything. But I am glad you are so strong and have such a strong family as well.
I miss you and all of your happiness that you always bring when you're around.
GGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!
I would just like to put the disclaimer that the former comment was posted by Danny - I had nothing to do with it.
Post a Comment