Disclaimer: The following pages are provided for informational purposes only. They are not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for what your doctor prescribes or recommends. These are tips and information I've collected as a mother of a 21 year old thyroid cancer survivor (diagnosed 9/2000). The information has been gathered primarily from my own experience, and from correspondence as a member of an on-line email support group for thyca survivors. For more information on this group and thyroid cancer in general, go to the Thyroid Cancer Survivor's Association website.




~ ~THYROID CANCER and SCHOOL~ ~
or work, or family, or life!

Many people with thyroid cancer wonder how much of their time and energy will be consumed with treatments, surgeries, and recoveries. If they are students, they wonder whether it's best to drop out for a semester, and focus on their thyca program. If they have a job, they wonder if they'll be able to keep working, and whether to discuss their thyca struggles with the boss.

My experience is from watching my daughter complete her 4th and 5th year of college, after being diagnosed with thyca. She majored in Landscape Architecture, graduated on time, and was a full time track athlete (discus, shot put, and hammer). She had to miss classes, drop one class, start a semester late, miss workouts and training, and sleep an incredible amount of hours, but she stayed in school and continually beat her own personal throwing records.

The following pages focus on "Thyca and School", but can be applied to jobs, hobbies, and other responsibilities which may be affected by your involvement with thyca. Each person's situation is different and requires him/her to make up his/her own mind. Here are some variables, tips, and thoughts to consider.


  VARIABLES to CONSIDER


  INTERRUPTIONS to CONSIDER


  SCHEDULING


  COMMUNICATION with PROFESSORS


  ATTITUDES, OUTLOOKS and TIPS


  SUPPORTING a THYCAN STUDENT
Including, food you can send!


  ATHLETICS and EXERCISE


  FINAL THOUGHTS


Click here to go back to MAIN THYCA page.




Please inform me of any corrections or additions you think are needed. I will try to update and add to the list of links in the near future. I'd be happy to hear of information YOU would like to see provided.


Drop me a line!