Today as of April 22, 2015 Earth Day ..I feel wonderful. I just had my surgery done for the incisional hernia I had on my tummy "abdomen" and just this past October 2014 I had my first round of Radiation Treatments as the Thyroid Cells they took out was Stage 3 in the Thyroid gland, but Stage 4 in my Lymph Nodes.....otherwise Life is good.

Since my first diagnosis I was so scared I was a mess...a basket case! But as of today April 22, 2015 I'm so much more focused as to 'who' I am and 'where' my future will take me. I feel the need to tell and share my story with those newly diagnosed in the waiting room to see my oncologists'...yes I have four of them. But these doctors are the best in the U.S.A. and I'm so lucky to have gotten them to save my life...four times now. Not too many people can say that. I feel that this entire up and down of good and bad has changed me to be an even stronger woman than I've ever been before.

I'm healing after my last surgery....at least in my mind, heart, soul, and spirit its my last one...I feel very positive in that regard of NOT having any more surgeries. I'm praying that as I heal I can work on my resume to get a job at a part-time level to see what I can handle and how long I can work on a weekly basis. All these surgeries do take it out of your body physically but spiritually I"m a very strong woman.

I've been told I still have to have do my Thyroid no salt, no dairy diet this - I-131 Treatment in October to make sure the Radiation Treatments worked to clear up all the cancer cells in my lymph nodes. So far the blood tests show it did work the first treatment, but from my DNA tests anything could happen. I just give my soul, mind, body to the Big Spirit in the line of life...and know that I will beat anything that comes my way.....at least I'll give it the biggest try of my life.

The most challenging thing about having cancer...first was hearing the words, "you have cancer". To me that was the most challenging to have to face and hear. But with a good support system, great doctors that listen to you and of course a positive outlook and good diet I have accomplished what most call 'impossible'. I have found that writing a journal about my daily needs, wants, complaints help me to see the big picture and the outcome that I look forward to in beating all the odds and coming out ahead in knowledge being my most powerful aspect of all these fights against cancer(s). Worst of all is having the financial support system, my family isn't well off but living over 300 miles one way to see all of my oncologist I made it work ...yard sales, making jewelry and having plant sales to help off set my costs.

I go to my family, friends, and my journal to see how far I have come in all these cancer(s) that I've beat and that this too shall pass. I will win....hands down....I will win!! But, when there are way too many problems even my family, friends can't help me with I go to my counselor and to ACS meetings monthly to share my difficulties. I know I'm not alone...but seeing and hearing others sure helps me see and hear that my journey will be difficult but I will win!

Well since my diagnosis I've had to turn down some very fine career/jobs that were and have been offered to me as a Paralegal. I've had to come to the realization that I will beat all these cancer(s) and I will get that "one job interview" I've been longing for...but when the time is right. I believe we are all giving bad with good and visa versa...we are all given challenges in life either cancer, or other bad things...but the mind and body most always rise above that challenge and we then become stronger and better in the long run. NOT to say cancer makes anyone better...I've found that it has made me a stronger woman that I would've never have dreamt of being that strong of a woman. My current life goal is to get back to the working class life and have that home I'd like to buy in my future to share this story with my seven grand children on my front porch...someday.

I've not worked since September 2010. I was working full-time Monday thru Friday in a Federal Law Firm with an Attorney to that note ....I so miss working. But since that time I've managed to get my Paralegal Certificate and was offered a chance to volunteer with the District Attorneys' office when I'm rested up after this surgery to help me get a possible part-time job and to help me get my Certificate in Victim Witness Specialist to that I'm very excited to achieve. I'm also will be volunteering at my local ACS office to 'give back' to all they've given me over these years.

It was every time I'd be free of one cancer and ready to go back to work..the doctors would find another cancer and well I was still out of work.
But since that time I've managed to get my Paralegal Certificate and was offered a chance to volunteer with the District Attorneys' office when I'm rested up after this surgery to help me get a possible part-time job and to help me get my Certificate in Victim Witness Specialist to that I'm very excited to achieve. I'm also will be volunteering at my local ACS office to 'give back' to all they've given me over these years.

I've began writing a cook book for Pancreatic Cancer Patients to that there are no such books in the market so I figured this should help keep me busy till I'm done with fighting the cancer(s) and then hopefully I'll be back at work...if I can find and get a job interview.

Be Positive no mater what. I figure most all doctors say we only use 10% of our brains on a daily basis. So why then use the other 90% of our brains to being Positive to kick cancers butt and get in out of our bodies and to force our minds to heal ourselves...daily.

The side effects of Radiation Treatments haven't been too bad to me, my salivary glands in my cheeks are the worst...even today they get tingle and hurt if I eat any sour/bitter foods. My memory tends to be weird at times; its like I can see the item and know the word of that item but for the life of me I can't make my mouth say it out load..very weird side effect. I have zero appetite since this treatments but this too shall pass. Also my vision is weird but the doctors say all this shall pass as time goes on. I remain POSITIVE DAILY.

Take a deep breath..its ok to cry, and be angry and fearful...but my goodness that's' normal. Second, do your homework, find out everything you can on your diagnosis of the type of cancer you have. Get all your blood tests, research the blood tests, learn what those names are, what they mean, what they do in your body and your type of cancer too. Take control over your disease....YOU ARE THE BOSS to your LIFE! Do not try to diagnose yourself, but make a note/journal of your symptoms of food, meds, how your feeling in general and the foods you eat. My greatest gift to give you all is just this; IF YOU CAN NOT PRONOUNCE THE NAMES ON THE FOOD LABELS YOUR EATING...THEN DO NOT EAT THAT FOOD!!! Don't eat processed foods, eat only farm to table foods "organic", see a counselor monthly for your overall helplessness and anxiety needs....but make a list of issues you have in-between doctors appointments....and always ask questions, never take no for an answer and keep your questions to ask the doctors with you for all appointments. I currently eat by my 10 ingredient rule and so far I've beaten (4) Four Different Cancer(s) because of my rule. So you can beat this "UGLY MONSTER" and live to share your story with your grand children and others for years to come. You are the Boss of your body..so take charge!