Introduction:

I was suppose to do an interview for a Thyroid Cancer organization yesterday that ended up falling thru.  To be truthful, the whole process started by me agreeing to write an article for this organizations newsletter and then turned into an interview.  I have to admit, when I agreed to do it, I was hesitant.  People have a hard time believing me, but I'm actually a shy person.  Yes, at times I come across being an out going fun loving person, but in all actuality, I'm really am shy and a little reserved.  It takes me a minute or two to get use to people.  I'm not the first one to raise my hand, I never sit in the front row, and really I don't seek people out.  So for me to agree to do an interview and now start a blog is huge step for me and is completely out of my comfort zone.

Considering the interview didn't happen, I was talking to my dad about how frustrated I was.  I was wanting to tell my story...I thought being that I'm from a "small town" that isn't as technology advanced as the big cities, and what all I had gone through might help someone else.  My dad then suggested that I might want to start a blog. I had actually thought about that and told him I wish I had when all the cancer stuff first started....he said it's never to late.  So, I thought about it off and on through out the day yesterday and decided...you know, it reall is better late than never.  I emailed a good friend who has her own blog and she helped me get started. 

I guess I jumped a head a little so let me slow down and introduce myself:

My name is Sharlene and I grew up in a little town call Stillwater Oklahoma (Go Pokes!).  Now Stillwater really isn't all that small, but when you compare it to Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Chicago, ect...it is.  I'm a Stillwater High grad and I graduated from Oklahoma State University.  Yes, I'm a proud orange wearing Cowboy.  I am married to a wonderful guy and we are complete opposites.  Now, remember I said that I was shy, at least I can fake being out going...my husband, no way.  He is nowhere close to being a people person.  He grew up in Norman and we met while we were both attending college in Stillwater.  Yes, I know a Norman Oklahoma guy going to Oklahoma State in Stillwater.  It's a good thing he is more into pro sports than college.  We dated for five years before we got engaged and got married on our seven year anniversary.  We don't have any children and I will get into that later.

I am a Thyroid Cancer Survivor.  I have been cancer free for almost three years and have had one of the most interesting, yet frustrating journeys.  I really hope my story will help those of you out there who are from a small town and dealing with cancer.