I’m that person that is the outlier to laryngeal cancer data.

I’m that person that doesn’t fit the mold…EVER.

Today, I continued to be that person. After going through a CT scan and ultrasound last week I was told I needed to get a biopsy of my thyroid because who knows I may have cancer there too! So many people told me not to worry about the biopsy because it’s “no big deal.”

Well guess what! I’m that person that HATES needles.  Actually, needles are one of my biggest fears.  I get myself all worked up prior to getting a shot or having blood taken, so the thought of having a needle in my neck just made me queasy from the time I set up the appointment.  Through the years, I have learned some coping skills to get through my hate relationship with needles such as walking into the room and closing my eyes instantly so I don’t see anything, doing breathing exercises to put me in a different place (the beach), requesting to lay down on the table rather than sitting in a chair or talking a lot to the nurse about anything as a way to distract my mind.  I know, I had 3 babies so you would think I was a professional by now, but I am far from it.

Prior to the biopsy, the radiologist came in a private room to talk to Rob and I about the procedure and what’s going to happen.  The radiologist described what everyone else told me and then told me “most cases it is only 2 needles, sometimes 3 needles and in very rare cases we need to do 4 needles to get enough.”  Originally, I thought I was going for 1 needle and I was very nervous about that and now the radiologist is telling me definitely 2 needles, it could be 3 needles and a rare chance there could be 4!  WHAT?!?!   I thought to myself, “of course I will be that person.”

Well, guess what?  I’m was that person in those rare cases that needed a needle poked in my neck 4 times!

Okay, I admit it didn’t hurt that bad since they used a numbing spray, but it was very uncomfortable, extremely awkward and the worst part was listening to the radiologist explain EVERYTHING in detail to the residents who were in the room.  The thought of it still makes my stomach turn and in the scheme of everything else going on, this was very minimal.   Right now, I am just hoping the pathology report comes back benign because honestly at this point how much can one person handle?

…

I just need to keep reminding myself…

I will be THAT person who beats cancer!