Thymoma patient on having a rare cancer

You see it all around you: pink ribbons, pink hats, pink T-shirts. You can buy pink bracelets, pink bookmarks and pink watches. When I was diagnosed with stage IV thymoma in 2013, I wondered: what color is my cancer?

Thymoma is a rare cancer of the thymus. Approximately 500 Americans are diagnosed with thymoma each year. It had dropped malignant cells onto my heart and diaphragm, requiring two major surgeries and chemotherapy.

I quickly discovered that having a rare cancer can feel very isolating. There isn't much research, and they're certainly wasn't a support group in my hometown. In fact, I was the only person in the area to ever receive a thymoma diagnosis.

Initially, it was frustrating to be so alone. But then I realized that the lack of research and information meant I would get to write my own statistics. I get to determine my own prognosis. Somehow, that has been very empowering.  Having a rare cancer can feel overwhelming, but these things have made my journey easier.

Here are my tips for coping with a rare cancer.

Find the right medical team for your rare cancer
My local doctors are wonderful, they're not best equipped to address my needs. It is important to have experts in the field develop my treatment plan. I am so thankful for MD Anderson and the physicians in the thoracic department. While it can be a challenge to travel back and forth to Houston, it's been life-changing and comforting to have such knowledgeable doctors.

Make peace with ambiguity
Each cancer treatment plan is highly individualized and subject to change at any moment. I have had to learn to make peace with ambiguity. There is not an "All You Ever Need to Know about Thymoma" book.