In this memoir, Megan shares her battle with cancer from the perspective of a young adult. From beginning to end, it is an intimate account of her relationship with the disease. This relationship is reconciled with a deeper appreciation for strength grounded in gratitude. Megan’s journey fired her advocacy in support of cancer research. This memoir is a small contribution to raising awareness of the disease.
Excerpt:
The cars on the road were a blur as we drove past them. I couldn’t focus on a single thing. I had a hard time concentrating and the only thing I could think of was the pending result of my second fine needle aspiration biopsy.
When waiting for something that you are excited about, perhaps going on vacation to Florida; time passes ever so slowly until the day it finally comes. The excitement is overwhelming and the twenty-nine hour drive at times seems drawn out and getting to Georgia still seems so far away, but you just can’t wait. You’ll stop at a pit stop in Pennsylvania and win a million stuffed animals. You’ll get Starbucks because it’s the greatest thing on earth.
Now that… is something to look forward to and you can appreciate those memories forever.
Waiting for results of a hospital test, is not the same in any way, shape or form. Time seemed to pass the fastest it ever has in my life. The days felt like minutes and the hours passed like seconds. Conversations would always revolve around the ‘what ifs’ and the ‘maybes.’ The last things I thought about every night were a string of questions that I furiously deliberated over.
What if I’m dying?
What if I never have a chance to get married?
I’m never going to have kids?
It was so easy to jump to conclusions; I had no other information to base my logic around. Another part of me however, seemed to be extremely optimistic. I would tell myself it was nothing. I thought maybe I just needed my tonsils removed. That was the simplest and easiest solution. Most people have their tonsils removed anyway. I could have been one of those people. To me, an answer like that made sense. But life is never as simple as it seems; there are always underlying issues. Things you never expect pop up.
Olivia with YA Mag: Megan, thank you so much for joining us!
You were diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer as a recent high school graduate. At a time when you should have been worrying about nothing more than registering for college classes and if you would like your roommates, how did this news turn your world upside down? How did it give you strength?
Megan Oates: It was life changing. It forced me to grow up and accept that I was diagnosed with cancer and prioritize even the smallest things in life. I had to accept that the things most important to me would be postponed until I was healthy again – like having a job or attending college or university that year. Because of cancer my life has not taken the path I had anticipated and I’ve had do pursue things in a different order than others normally would.
YA: The great news in all of this is that you have survived this cancer; you now dedicate your time in promoting awareness for thyroid cancer research. What would you like to tell our readers about thyroid cancer, its research, and how it affects them?
MO: Just looking at some statistics from the Canadian Cancer Society, 80% of thyroid cancer instances are in women and as of 2009 thyroid cancer is the #1 cancer in young women. Everyone should be aware of a history of cancer in their family. Now that we have the resources and more research has been done to narrow down the factors that increase your risk of cancer, everyone should take responsibility to reduce their risk of cancer: eating a balanced diet, exercising on a regular basis & avoiding smoking. It’s simple but so beneficial to your health in the long run.
Thyroid cancer is known (controversially) as the “good cancer”, but it’s really not. Cancer is cancer, regardless of body part, treatment, diagnosis etc. With thyroid cancer, things can get complicated. The surgery to remove the thyroid (known as a thyroidectomy) can result in permanent change in voice, temporary or permanently low calcium, need for lifelong thyroid hormone replacement, bleeding, infection, and the remote possibility of airway obstruction due to bilateral vocal cord paralysis.
YA: How can teens and young adults get involved in helping others their own age who are fighting and recovering from their own battles with cancer? What are some online resources you can point us towards?
MO: The hospital will usually give you literature and a schedule for monthly support group meetings. When I was diagnosed, those support groups were usually for older individuals and the last thing I wanted to do was search for other people my age with cancer, but looking back it really would have been the best thing I ever did. I craved connections and relationships where the individual knew exactly what I was going through, because they were going through it too.
Just recently in November 2012, I had the opportunity to attend the Young Adult Cancer Canada (YACC) Conference in Toronto, where I met over 80 individuals that went through exactly what I had gone through. It was the most amazing experience and everything I had been searching for since my diagnosis in 2005. We spent three days together and I took away some great friendships. I think everyone should have the opportunity to do that. Some organizations I would suggest to others looking for resources and advice are:
Young Adult Cancer Canada (http://www.youngadultcancer.ca)
Facing Cancer (http://www.facingcancer.ca/)
Thyroid Cancer Canada (http://www.thyroidcancercanada.org)
Stupid Cancer (http://www.stupidcancer.org)
Cancer Knowledge Network (http://cancerkn.com/) (I had the opportunity to write for them)
I Had Cancer (http://www.ihadcancer.com)
Cancer Fight Club (http://www.cancerfightclub.com)
YA: Thank you so much, Megan, for joining us and answering our questions! We hope that many teens will be inspired by your story.
Readers, be sure to check out Megan Oates at her website WouldYouLikeYourCancer.com. Or follow her on Twitter @Megan_Oates.
WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR CANCER?, published by Biaco Publishing, is now available for order at your favorite retailers and local independent bookstores!
Olivia Hennis is a transplanted New England girl dropped by a tornado into the magical Land of Jersey. For more info, follow her on Twitter.