Journey of hope
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
By: Sherry Massicotte

A journey, that is what I believe I`m on. This is my duty in life, giving back for the hope and life that I am given every day.

This journey begins thirty years ago when I was first diagnosed with a very rare throat cancer. A young scared girl not really knowing what I was facing.

Be very persistent, doctors know from what they have read, seen and learned. But no one knows our bodies better than we do ourselves. Early detection in most cases of cancer makes the difference in surviving.

Twenty seven years later, I never imagined that I would be finding myself in a familiar place. I was diagnosed with three types of thyroid cancer.

I remember about 3 or 4 years before I was diagnosed I went to see the doctor complaining of a lump that I felt in my throat. After a check up I was told that what I am feeling was probably scar tissue.

I know this sounds cliché but instead of taking life for granted, we should really live everyday like it’s our last. Until you are faced with a reality such as cancer, do you really know how precious life is?

If I can through my words help one person that is sick and unsure of what is wrong and seeks out the proper help. Persists in being relentless of getting a referral to a specialist that will run the necessary tests and scans. Then my journey is not in vain. To this day I help a research team in the United States through survey questions, samples I give and very important medical information. This is my duty in life, this is just a little bit of how I give back for the life and hope that I am given every day.