I have been on many journeys throughout my life and have learned many lessons through each one. I was never prepared for the journey that I would encounter beginning in August 2012. It has and will be a journey I will constantly have to travel for the rest of my life.

Before I begin, I would like to introduce myself. I grew up in Texas and joined the military when I was 21. I met a wonderful man and we were married. Ten years later, we have three beautiful children at the ages of 8, 6, and 4. My family is my whole world. My husband is still active duty and I work full time. We also both go to school full time while being full time parents. I have always been a person who will push the limits to benefit my family. Never did I expect that my journey would test all that meant dear to me.

August 2012, I had severe pain in my chest and decided to go to the emergency room. Of course, I had all the necessary tests performed to make sure that my heart and lungs were okay. EKG, blood work, CT scan, etc. All the tests came back normal, but the CT scan showed a nodule on my thyroid. The ER doctor just told me to follow-up with my primary doctor and it shouldn't be anything to worry about.

So, a follow-up (blood work was normal) and a ultra sound later it was confirmed that I had a nodule on the left side of my thyroid. A referral went out to see a endocrinologist, but the earliest appointment was a six week wait. With no other option, I waited.

The day came and the endocrinologist wanted to do a fine needle aspiration just to make sure that the nodule was benign. I did mention that I was having ear pain and he confirmed that the nodule was pushing on nerves. A few days later, I was told it was benign. I was so thrilled!

As the months went on, I continued to live the busy life of mom, wife, student, and employee. Then one day, I noticed the ear pain was back. So off to the endocrinologist I went and he decided that the removal of the left side would be beneficial to me instead of constantly draining it. I agreed.

Of course, my primary wanted to get a second opinion, so I went to see a ENT specialist. He disagreed with the surgery and told me the pain that I was feeling in my ear was all in my head. Then when I saw the surgeon, she disagreed with the surgery as well.

There was something inside of me that urged me to do the surgery. I knew something wasn't right within myself. I knew my body and there was a lingering feeling of something was wrong. During this time, I quit my job because I couldn't manage the chaos. I was tired all the time and I needed to let go of something in my life, one less worry, one less stress!

In May 2013, I had a partial lobectomy. The day I got out of surgery, I remember constantly throwing up from the anesthesia and being sent home that same day. The pain wasn't so bad. I had a stiff neck and stitches. My vocal cords weren't damage. All in all, things were looking up. A week later, I went into to get the stitches removed. That is when I received the news.

The larger nodule was indeed benign, but there were smaller nodules that came back as papillary carcinoma (Stage 1). My heart dropped. Reality hit in June 2013, my mother in law passed away from complications of treatment from her cancer. Then the questions began to flow,  if I had not pushed to have the surgery, how far would have the cancer had spread before it was found? A lot of what ifs and what might have been, raced through my head. I thanked God in that moment because I truly believe He pushed me to trust my instincts.

So, the next step! Another surgery to remove the right side of my thyroid. I had to wait two months for that surgery because I had to give my scar time to heal because they didn't want scar tissue to build up. So, I waited what seemed like forever!

My second surgery was worse than the first. I stayed in over night. My neck was constantly sore, I couldn't really speak for a week, no energy, no drive! I just wanted to sleep. Then getting ready for RAI (radiation) was not so pleasant either, but I am a fighter, so I kept going! I did my radiation and it was a breeze! Cancer gone! But that is not the end, just the beginning!

Months upon months of trying to get my levels right. Emotional roller coaster, sometimes unpleasant comments spewing from my mouth without hesitation, leg cramps so bad that I could not walk, crying in the shower because my hair was coming out in chunks due to my thyroid levels not being right. The list goes on!

The time came to do my follow up appointment for the cancer. So, I did the small tracer of RAI and there was still uptake in the neck area. The report read: Unknown if thyroid tissue or recurrence. So, what was the solution. Another large dose of RAI. I was sick for a week after the RAI. Nausea was the worse and my eye swelled up due to my tear ducts weren't draining properly. It was horrible.

I am currently waiting for the results of this round of treatment!

Some people would read this and think, "Well she needs to get out of the house more!" Well in that time period, I graduated college with my Bachelors, started back to work, and started my Masters Program, so that wasn't even the issue. I want to feel normal again. I really do, but in reality normal for me will never be what I know to be normal.

One of things that I learn with the diagnosis of cancer, it does not care that it disables you or your family physically, financially, emotionally, and mentally. My husband and I faced many hurdles during this time period.

My husband took on a larger role as a mom and dad, he was kept back from deployment, his mom passed away, he had to take on being the sole supporter of our family, and he did it with such strength and love. Bill collectors calling us constantly because there was 7 months that I couldn't work.

 My children did not always see me at the end of the day because most days after work, I would go straight to bed. I shut myself from my whole world, what I lived for because I just didn't have the energy to deal with life. Dad was their sole supporter in every part of their lives.

I never knew back in August 2012 how much my life would change. I am not the same person I was then. There are times I get scared and I cry. I have had conversations with my loved ones that I never wish upon anyone to have to have and I have written letters to my children that I never even thought I would have to do.

Then there are the times, I hold my head held high and FIGHT! Cancer makes a person face his or her immortality. It is okay to be weak in moments, but don't forget that in the end a beautiful butterfly is the result!

To all my fellow butterflies, press on and know that you are not alone! We are still on our journey and will be for the rest of our lives, but  know in the end it will all be worth it!