I’m in my feelings. I need to get them out.

(Took these on the flight out of Seattle)

“Hi!  I’m Matt, an 11 year papillary thyroid cancer survivor from Seattle, Washington. It’s my pleasure to introduce you to…”

 

I said this far too frequently (15 times to be exact) over the last three days when introducing doctors, nurses, specialists and speakers. And you know what? I wouldn’t have changed it for the world.

 

This weekend was the annual Thyroid cancer survivors conference. The first time in person since 2019.  Man. When I tell you it was good to see these people face to face, that’s understating it. These are my people. The people that can relate to what it’s like to go through treatment for thyroid cancer. The people that understand the terminology. The people that understand it’s not “the good cancer”. 

I finally briefly opened up in a roundtable session and shared a chunk of what my experience was like, but I still don’t think I’ve been able to convey verbally how hard it was 10 almost 11 years ago. Most of these people have no idea. I know I’ve written about appointments, procedures, etc. previously. But there was something different at the conference this year. I’m not sure I can put my finger on it. Was it the incredible number of new faces? Was it the amazing number of anaplastic survivors in attendance? The rekindling of friendships?

 

For me it may have been the last session Saturday night.

 

The last two years of virtual conferences there has been a session by a filmmaker speaking about her experience of going through treatment and the process of making a short film. But I haven’t been able to attend as I was moderating other sessions at the same time.

When the request came out for session moderators this year, this session was the absolute priority for me to simply attend, but having the opportunity to introduce Bryn and her partner/caregiver, Naveen was just that the icing on the proverbial cake.

 

Being able to watch their work in progress just hit me in some sort of way.  It’s a short film but a powerful one in the way it conveys what so many of us experienced. The questions, the concerns, the confusion, the frustration, the anger.  Am I doing the right thing? Why is this happening?  Where am I going?  Is this the right thing to do?  It was all there in 22 minutes.  Beautiful.

 

I wanted to share my thoughts to them but didn’t have the opportunity immediately afterwards.  Thankfully I was able to stop them for a few minutes on their way back to their room so I could do just that and to thank them for what they’re doing. Hopefully I’ll get the opportunity to speak with them again. They’re doing something fantastic.

 

In addition to that, I absolutely need to say thank you to Carol and Don.  If you guys weren’t going to be there, I’m not sure I would’ve made the trek. Suzanne and Colleen. It was an absolute pleasure spending the weekend with you guys, you two are rockstars. Thanks for letting me be a small part of all the tremendous work you guys do behind the scenes.  You’re appreciated. Gary and Bob, thank you. You two don’t know what you’ve done for me. I cherish our chats. Did you know Stoner is here?

 

Teamwork truly makes the dream work.

 

Alright. I’ve landed at SeaTac, time to get home and get some sleep.