Chris Mayberry’s cancer journey began when he detected a lump on his neck while shaving.  Right away, he got it checked out and that resulted in his diagnosis of papillary thyroid cancer. 

 

A retired broadcaster from Stouffville, Ontario, near Toronto, Chris’ proactive approach resulted in early detection and the best possible outcome.

 

He was in good health at the time he discovered the lump, concluded it needed to be examined and went to a doctor.  The doctor said Chris needed to be seen by a surgeon, and the surgeon said had to be removed.  The surgery was performed, and even though the surgeon thought the lump was probably benign, it was subject to a biopsy.  However, the tumor was malignant and Chris Mayberry was told he had papillary thyroid cancer, the most common form of thyroid cancer. 

 

Next, Chris went through a complete thyroidectomy, and one bout of radiation.  He said the process was done in about two months.  Incredibly, first with the removal of the lump, then the thyroidectomy, there was no pain.

 

Chris had followup visits with his surgeon and achieved survivorship, but from the day he was diagnosed, he lived in fear, unable to get the words, “You’ve got cancer.” 

 

Thankfully, the doubt began to recede.  When he reached the five-year mark after his treatment, Chris threw a party.  From that point forward, Chris Mayberry’s life was very close to normal, although even now he admits it will never be what it was, pre-diagnosis.

 

Physically, Chris says he can do anything he could do before his diagnosis.  It is just that now, he doesn’t have a thyroid, which for all of us serves as a command center for almost everything physical, mental and emotional.  In terms of energy, there can be highs and lows;  mood swings can be wild.  Chris occasionally suffers from depression and in his first few years after his treatment, he would experience panic attacks. From a physical perspective, they had many of the same symptoms as a heart attack, including chest pains and difficulty breathing.  But thankfully with the passage of time, they have tapered off. 

 

Chris Mayberry is quick to admit that compared to everyone else diagnosed with cancer, his journey was rather uneventful; but he said a lot of that had to do with his being proactive, and that resulted in early detection.

 

By way of advice, Chris says to always remember you are not alone.  There are individuals and organizations that can provide the necessary support.  That said, it is of utmost importance to be your own advocate and when you notice something abnormal, not to hesitate, but to make sure you get the issue checked out.

Additional Resources:

 

Support Group:

 

Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association: https://www.thyca.org