Ann's Story
You know how they say when you are having your highest high, you should prepare for a lowest low? That’s MY story. I had JUST finished racing my FIRST Ironman over Thanksgiving in 2009 in Cozumel and 4 days later (also the day after my 41st birthday!) I was sitting face to face with my doctor telling me I had Metastatic Thyroid Cancer. So 2 huge life changing events all in one week and one I didn’t sign up for.
I was acting with lightening speed as I do all things and scheduled appointments, consults, tests, and 2nd opinions within the next 24 hours. I was on a mission—to be cancer-free ASAP! On January 15, 2010 I accomplished that goal and had a thyroidectomy and partial neck dissection at the amazing Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. And then 3 months later I finished my radiation therapy back at Mayo. So now I am REALLY cancer free!
I learned way too many things about myself, my family, my friends, my faith, and health care to mention in my story here. But let me say that for every one of those “lows” I mentioned earlier, God does a GREAT job offsetting them with the “highs”. My life and outlook on it have never been better. And I now have a new found appreciation for what it means to BE a “survivor”. After only ONE round of radiation I was whooped. My heart goes out those who have multiply treatments that go on for months and years.
It is an honor and a privilege to be a cancer survivor. I am training for my next Ironman which is November 6, 2010, and hope for NO LOWS after completing this one this year!
Best,
Ann
I was acting with lightening speed as I do all things and scheduled appointments, consults, tests, and 2nd opinions within the next 24 hours. I was on a mission—to be cancer-free ASAP! On January 15, 2010 I accomplished that goal and had a thyroidectomy and partial neck dissection at the amazing Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. And then 3 months later I finished my radiation therapy back at Mayo. So now I am REALLY cancer free!
I learned way too many things about myself, my family, my friends, my faith, and health care to mention in my story here. But let me say that for every one of those “lows” I mentioned earlier, God does a GREAT job offsetting them with the “highs”. My life and outlook on it have never been better. And I now have a new found appreciation for what it means to BE a “survivor”. After only ONE round of radiation I was whooped. My heart goes out those who have multiply treatments that go on for months and years.
It is an honor and a privilege to be a cancer survivor. I am training for my next Ironman which is November 6, 2010, and hope for NO LOWS after completing this one this year!
Best,
Ann
