J.R. Martinez Wins Dancing With The Stars-Can A Thyroid Cancer Patient Win Their Battle

Nov. 25, 2011 - PRLog -- Dancing With The Stars, a very popular evening television show, has crowned a new champion.  J. R. Martinez, in spite of what life had presented him, won the coveted trophy.  This man with his infectious smile and very positive attitude is a veteran from the Iraq war.  Martinez was severely burned over more than 40 percent of his body when the vehicle he was driving for the U.S Army struck a land mine.  He went through many surgeries and ups and downs over the years of recovery.  Although he is disfigured he radiates with joy.  

Thyroid cancer affects the butterfly shaped gland located in the base of the neck behind the Adam’s apple.  More women will be diagnosed with this type of cancer than men with a ratio of 3 to 1.  When diagnosed in a younger person the possibility of a total cure is very high.  Symptoms of thyroid cancer may be a lump or nodule on the gland, change of or hoarseness of voice, difficulty swallowing or breathing.  The good news is very low percentage of nodules found on the thyroid gland are malignant.
Although, a thyroid cancer patient is not disfigured to the point Martinez is, they do have a scar on the neck reminding them every day of the ordeal they have gone through and are still going through.  This is in no way is making light of the of the scar because it can be dramatic for a thyroid patient and may cause one to be very self conscious.
With problems such as regulating thyroid hormone levels, and calcium levels, preparing for the follow up testing and scans that require following a special low iodine diet, and possible radioactive treatments that require being in isolation, thyroid cancer patients have to stay positive and take it one day at a time.
With a positive attitude we can work through almost anything.  Leaning on our family and friends, as I am sure Martinez did, will help a great deal.

Savard, a papillary thyroid cancer survivor since 1997, knows the trials and tribulations that goes with this disease.  Her website http://www.papillarythyroidcancerguide.com provided much information for thyroid cancer patients and their families. Her article "10 Steps To Handle A Diagnosis Of Thyroid Cancer” found under the media tab sheds light on how one can begin to cope.