And we have a date!

Today I got the news, I am having a date with the knife September 8th, 2010. Thank God that day is also payday, something to make me smile :) Still, lots of questions and answers that I need to ask and get.  I joined a blog, is called Blog for a Cure. It's been amazing to read and meet people who is going through the same cancer or are already in recovery. It's really interesting to see how each and everyone is feeling. Some feel ok with a few side effects while other miss their Thyroid gland. I feel more confused not knowing what will happen to me, will I be on "Team Thyroid Removal Feeling Awesome" or would I be in "Team Give Me My Thyroid Gland Back". It's getting scarier and scarier to know if I would be able to handle not having my Thyroid or would I be one of those who will gain weight, feel like pucking all the time and have no hormone replacement med work for her. Keep in mind there is no turning back. Once she is gone, she is gone. It's like a bad divorce. I am divorcing my Thyroid gland and giving all the assets at the divorse clause. I will not retain any assets of her what so ever, so I will need a new marriage with a "Synthetic Hormone"...I am naming her my Avatar Hormone...lol

Sounds like I am making fun of myself and I am ...but I remained scared. Strong but scared! So I asked to see my Endocrinologist one more time before I head on my date. I want to know this is the best route to take. Remaining positive, remaining strong!

Livestrong,

Michelle

A great day at the office!..

Another day, another smile. God is working with me. He is helping me and thinking about me. When I got the news about me having Thyroid Cancer, the first thing that came to my mind was " I just bought a house and now I must go on disability, how I will pay my bills with only 60% of my salary when on disability?" I got scared, very scared! But, there is a God and he is looking after me :)

Before all this I was approached to see if I once again wanted to join my company's training department one more time. I love flying, but my brain needs some action...brain action!!! The day after I got the news about having cancer, I get a call from the training supervisor to see if i would like to go teach full time for a month or two. I could't believe what I was hearing. This meant that I would not hav eto go on disability. You see, with the type of surgery I will have the doctor didn't recommend me flying. It can stretch my skin, open my stiches and get infected in such environment. So disability was my choice, meaning I will only get 60% of my salary while I was gone. Not anymore, now I will be teaching at the training center earning a regular income. I am lucky and blessed!!!!!

Met my doctor and surgery will be soon. I am feeling great with high spirits...ready to get it over it so I can be back on the saddle, the lake and running my miles. Thanks to my employer for always been so supportive of anything I do.

I will soon stop flying for a while, but it couldn't come at any better time.

TTYL,

Michelle

Not feeling myself today! kinda like the new Christina Aguilera song...

Well, todays is surgeons visit day. I didn't wake up feeling too good today. It's kind of getting to me the fact that I am using the "c" word when refering to myself...no no that "C" word lol...I am talking about cancer. Seriously, me with Cancer??? I would have never thought I would be writting about me having cancer. It's kind of difficult to reffer to myself as a cancer patient.  I refuse to play victim thou!!!! and I won't...I just finally let lose my first tears today. After a week of getting the news, I just released them today. I guess it's normal....but the good thing is that I wiped those out of my face and I am smiling again.

I am so lucky that my cancer is curable with the right treatment. Treatment won't be easy...it will be a good 6 months to a year before I am back to normal. Well, I better get better soon because I can't live without my Traithlon world that long. ;) You see, triathlons changed my life. They showed me discipline and teh fact that there are no limits in what you set your mind to do. I love when people says to me "I can't even run a mile good for you, Michelle" . Well, little they all know is that i could not even run a 1/4 mile before i was grasping for air. I was in so bad shape 5 years ago. I used to smoke a pack of cigarattes every two days and didn't exercise what so ever. It wasn't until i was not feeling well and I visit my doctor to find out I was having a Pituitary Brain Ademona (no other that a brain tumor that messes with my prolactin levels and makes me feel moody pretty much more like a bitch sometimes...lol). That is when I decided to quit smoking and take over my life back!

I used to work at my company's training center and there was a group of cyclist that will meet every afternoon to ride bikes around the Orlando Airport.  I looked at how in good shape they were and how much fun seem they have while doing this. They met EVERY DAY!!! It must be fun, o not knowing anything about cycling I went and bought a bike and started exercising. I was dying at the begining, but with time and dedication, I lost 50 pounds and was living a very healthy lifestyle.  Felt in love with cycling and met so much people, healthy people! While cycling I aslo joined the local YMCA and in there met the coach of the TRI Team. I knew how to swim, bike I was doing well.....run...ohhhh my gooooosh!  I hate running! Not now thou....now is one of my favorite disciplines of the triathlon sport so is swimming.

Well, my point is Triathlon changed me and changed the way I see life. I can't honestly wait until I am done with the treament s I can get back to the sport that I consider to be my life saver!...I will put you on hold Tri world...but i will be back soon and with a vengance...more energized and more hungry than ever. Now...time to go to suregeon, hopefully I will feel much better after talking to him.

TTYL<

Michelle

Why Fly Girl chase Iron?

Yes...my name is Michelle and I am fly girl chasing Iron. I am a flight attendant by day (that is the fly girl in me) and Triathlete the rest of the time and yes I am now chasing Iron...as an Ironman! I never thought in my life I would be going after a full Ironman Triathlon (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run). I have decided to complete one on 2012. I've never had any desire until recently. I was in the peak training for a Ironman 70.3 in Miami to be held on October 30. Last week, unfortunately I was diagnosed with Papillary Carcinoma (Thyroid Cancer). I must have my entire Thyroid gland removed and have Iodine Radiation as well. As you can see my Ironman 70.3 for October is not going to happen. While I was playing being a strong person and not showing my emotions I just realized how lucky I am that this type of cancer is 98% curable and that I should be a very thankful person. Serious changes are underway. New diet, a life taking medication to supplement the work of my thyroid gland and lots of will to be smart and string about getting my life back to normal as soon as possible. I have decide to keep training for Triathlons until the day I head to surgery. So this last week I attended my long lake swim and was a very relaxing one. While swimming I did so much thinking and decided I wanted to create a blog to document my treatment, recovery and will to be able to finally do Ironman 70.3 Miami. I want people to see that it is possible if you set your mind to do it. I will not allow this new stage in my life to feel sorry, the opposite..I feel stronger in will and determination to get out of this with flying colors and do the ultimate race....an IRONMAN! I know it is not an easy road, every Triathlon has brought many challenges to me but this will be the way to prove me and others that you can do ANYTHING you set your mind to do. It will be a very difficult road but I am so ready for this challenge. Thanks Beth for believing in me and help me get there!




Please...follow the blog. I would love to have as many supporters out there I can get..



Blessings,



Michelle

Thanks Coach!

Wow! I was at a swim at Lucky's Lake in Orlando when I mentioned to my Friend and Coach (Beth) that I would love to start a blog. Not even 5 hours later she surprises me with a blogspot.  I am so excited to start the blog and start sharing so mamny great memories and difficilt times. The GREAT times and GREAT MEMORIES will be the base of what I would like to share...the dificult ones will turn into great ones, I am sure about that :) Well, first I will be earning how to use this tool as I will be using it often. I will tell you why soon...for now thanks Coach and Friend...xoxo

Fly Girl Chasing Iron

Hi Everyone,

I created this blog for my friend Michelle.  She is a Fly Girl and is planning on training for an Ironman in 2012.  There is a reason why she has picked 2012 as the year for her Ironman.  I will let her tell you the story of how she got to this place.

Love you Michelle!

XOXOX
Coach Beth