A week or so ago I was asked to reach out to someone that was looking for support after a recent thyroid cancer diagnosis. I started out by sending a text message introducing myself a just a bit brief message that I’m closing in on my 12th year since diagnosis. He immediately replied and asked if we could talk on the phone. What followed really made an impact. He just broke down and started crying. He said he hasn’t felt like he’s been able to do that, it was such a powerful moment to be on the other end of. He’s young with kids and extremely concerned about being able to see them grow up and then seeing their kids grow up too. Understandable when you’ve recently received a cancer diagnosis and not knowing what you don’t know. He needed someone that’s been through it to provide some bit of comfort, to assure him it’s going to be okay, and he’ll be around to see his family continue to grow. He said he was being referred to a doctor here in Seattle for a consult. Immediately in my mind I was thinking, I’ve got to meet up with him after. So, I asked, and he was relieved I did. He wanted to ask me, but didn’t know how. So today we met up on Cap Hill for a donut and coffee. Met his mom, wife and one of his kids. They mentioned today was the first time they’ve seen him smile in weeks. I was able to reassure them that everything will be alright. Eventually you’ll go back to living. It may take a while, but you’ll get there. We chatted for about an hour or so, they had a long drive back home, but I think they left Seattle with some weight off of their shoulders and someone they can call if they have any questions or just need to talk. That’s something we all need, right? Sometimes it is you looking for someone, other times someone is looking for you.

I was kind of forced to reflect on how I felt when I was diagnosed. Facing that unknown. Will I make it out on the other side? I’m so happy he had his family there with him. I’ve always wondered what the treatment process would’ve been like if I had someone at all the various appointments.

And now I sit here excited to get to Houston in a couple of weeks and help out once again at the annual survivors’ conference.