Hey Bloggers, I’m a 19 year old female who was recently diagnosed with parotid gland cancer. You’re probably wondering what type of cancer this even is since it is so rare. Although, if you’re a Beastie Boys fan, this might ring a bell. Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys died just last year after his three year battle against parotid gland cancer. Only 2-3 people out of every 100,000 are diagnosed each year. Being only 19 years old this was shocking news for me. I made this blog because I know how hard it is to go through something like this. I want to tell you all my story, and I hope to connect with other cancer patients. I plan to battle this cancer with all that I have and someday (hopefully in the near future) be able to say that I AM a cancer survivor.
This is a picture of me just before I started noticing symptoms of my parotid gland cancer.
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You are BEAUTIFUL and the strongest person I know! I think its awesome your doing this. Somebody out there will appreciate it and I hope this helps You find people you can connect with also! I love u tay and I’m proud of the strong person you are ♥
I love you so much you will always be one of my best friends!! I love you!
Taylor- You are amazing. I’m sure you will beat this. You are so brave and I’m so proud that you are starting this blog. We’re behind you all the way. Love ya kiddo.
Thank you very much!! I appreciate all of your support!! Love you too!
Taylor- You are amazing. You are sure to beat this. I’m so proud of you for starting this blog. We are behind you all the way. Love ya kiddo.
Proud of you! Love your background and the fact that your blog is free of grammatical errors! :0) Looking forward to more of your story, and to the day when you get the “cancer free” announcement!
Thank you! You taught me well!! 🙂 So glad we can communicate through this since you don’t have a Facebook!
My heart and prayers go out to you. You sound very mature for 19 as well as ready to beat this monster. Keep up your Faith and determination. Many hearts will be out there with you.
Thank you very much! I am so ready to beat this monster and I will do EVERYTHING I can to do so. I appreciate the support! God Bless!
Kiddo, great to be able to get all the facts and info here. You are an excellent writer. So “proud” of you (even though I have nothing to do with your bravery 🙂
I love you and can’t imagine what you are going through. I told her mom you will need to write a book after all this is over and go on Oprah and Dr. Phil and make your millions. See you Saturday. Xo
Thank you Aunt Jen! I hope to do so much more! We will see you very soon! Getting anxious!
Tay you are such a strong and amazing woman!! I’m so proud of you and how you are sharing your story with the world!! I love you so much!!
Thanks Lili! Love you!!
Tay,
God only gives us challenges that we can handle. The journey you are about to partake in is an unfair battle but I have faith that this tribulation is only going to make you stronger. You are courageous and a fighter. You know that I am always here for you, even if I am 6+ hours away. You have a tremendous family to lean on so don’t feel afraid to reach out to them. Uncle Kele would reach out and share his experiences with you in a heart beat. Us Fitzhughs know how to kick cancer in the butt. Keep this blog going so I can rest assure that my baby cousin is doing alright. I love you Tay Tay. I am always a phone call away.
Keep your spirits high love.
Thank you cousin! I love you and I have such an amazing family, I know! So happy to hear your dad is doing better too. Hopefully soon I’ll be right there with him! I’ll keep you updated!
XOXO
Taylor, Being so many miles from each other when you were growing up, I’m glad you went shopping for a car in Sacramento with your Mom and Grandpa. It’s really hard to know someone if you don’t spend a little time together. And now I can see how much you have grown and in so many ways since then. We all have so many family members and it’s really hard to know each other. That was a special day for all of us. I’m very thankful for being able yo share that time with my brother and his family.
I’m very proud of what you are doing. You have the heart and willpower to live and beat this terrible cancer. Being a strong fighter you have all the odds in your favor. Stay strong, beat this, show others that it can be done. You are an inspiration that others can draw upon for their special needs no matter how big or small.
Looking forward
with prayers and love
Uncle Bob
Thank you Uncle Bob! That means a lot! I will certainly be trying my very best, no doubt about that! Love you and thanks for commenting!
Hi Taylor,
I am Jeannie, a friend of your grandmother Bev. We have had you in our prayers and thoughts since Bev messaged us about what you are going through. Just want to leave you with this scripture.
Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Maybe someday we can get to meet you in person and get to see the strong and beautiful young lady you are!!!
Dearest Taylor :
I am a friend of Howee. You would know me as the person that sent you the tens unit to use with Bells Palsy. Unfortunately it wasn’t Bell’s palsy and you received this new diagnosis. As I have heard from Howee, you are a strong willed individual and a fighter.i wish you all the strength you may need to fight this battle! You are young determined and focused! Go show them how tough you are and kick their ass all over the place!! My prayer and hopes are with you.
Donnie
I know your Grandma Bev and we have been praying for you and your family as well.
Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and Courageous! Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Taylor – Hang in there. Good luck with the surgery on Friday.
Taylor – I am your second cousin, Jill (Uncle Bob’s daughter). Although we have never met, I knew and loved your father very much. I know that you have a great family of support (including me) and my positive thoughts are with you throughout the day.
I look forward to reading about your progress and staying in touch.
May your strength and determination be multiplied in order to insure your victorious journey. God Bless you and your mother,
Jill
Hi ive never met you but i am related to you. My name is katie, im uncle bobs grand daughter and Jills daughter. I too am 19. I just wanted to say that my players are with you and your family.
Taylor,
Your Uncle Bob is so right “We all have so many family members and it’s really hard to know each other.” It is so unfortunate a fact. I am your cousin also (second or third) I could never quite get the gist of the twice removed thing. LOL. I do however, understand what it is to fight hard for your life. Whether it be quality or quantity, for yourself or for someone you love dearly. You are so beautiful and obviously strong! An unmistakeable part of our quite large and spread out family. Please know, there will be no day that passes, that you are not prayed for in strength and in courage. Hold your head high and know how loved and respected you are through your fight. If you ever need a shoulder or merely a vent of sorts…this blog is an amazing conduit for such. Use it well and often. Though we have never met, my heart goes out to you in this time of need. Stay strong Cousin and GOD BLESS YOU!
Your Cousin,
Heidi Woods
Hey gorgeous! You are so brave and I without a doubt know you will overcome this hurdle in life just like you have done so with others that crossed ur path over the years! God made you a strong person cause he knows you can OVERCOME anything he puts in your path! Your positivity and fight against this is amazing and it’s going to make you successful at kicking this cancers ASS!!!! Stay strong girly and know you are in my prayers every single night! I LOVE you and miss you! Get better so u can come to redding and see me xoxo
Hi Taylor – this is another part of your family. We have you in our prayer chain and the grace of God will sustain you as you work your way through this ordeal. We’ll stay in touch through your blog. Love you, Aunt Zoe
Thanking of you Taylor! You mean alot to me, so does your health and happiness. A prayer for your recovery. Love you….Aunt Deb
I’m so sorry my prayers are with you! You can beat this❤
Those of us you don’t even know are rooting for you dear heart. Lifting you in prayer and lending our strength and love to your journey.
good luck girl….
you’ll need it…but what you’ll need most is your will to fight….I am amazed by your will and dedication…. good luck…
p.s.: you don’t me…i’m just an italian colleague of Antoinette, i heard of you through a facebook post she made….. cancer can be bad….very bad….but you would be amazed of what will can do…. 🙂 ciao
You take care. Sending healing thoughts to you. You can do it! I am a 2 year survivor of pancreatic cancer.
Thinking of you, Taylor!! Sending positive thoughts your way. Lots of love and hugs,
Taylor, i am an old friend of your Grampa and Grandma (Rich & Bev) and I want you to know that God is already taking care of you and has many blessings in store for you. He is the Great Healer! He has done so many miracles in my family. And He’s working on yours now, so just have faith and be comforted to know that He is always a step ahead of you, bringing you forward! If you would like to hear about my “miracle girl” as He brought her back from critical heart surgery, please feel free to call me. 831-277-6526. Blessings to you!
Stay strong young lady! I know you are a fighter and will fight this with all you have! My prayers for you and your family. East coast is there for you!
Donnie
Hello Taylor,
My name is Carlos Rodriquez, I found your site by way of my good friend Beki Holtzer connected to your Grandparents Rich and Bev Gibson.
My Heart and Prayers goe out to you and your Family – I have 2 Plus 2 Daughters that are very dear to me.
Since you’re one who seems to have an open mind and not just willing to wait around and do nothing – here is a site you might be interested in reading. Knowledge is Power.
http://www.healthwantednow.com/2010/03/flaxseed-oil-and-cottage-cheese-%e2%80%93-a-cure-for-all-cancers/
Yes… it’s not your conventional treatment offered by the established Medical industry. Chemo-therapy does more harm to the body then it’s benefits. Research and try alternative methods before your Doctors push you towards killing you slowly. Read the article – share it with your Family and Friends (maybe even your Doctor) get their opinions. Educate yourself so you can make your own decision. I just found this information a few days ago… and found it very sound. I posted it on my Facebook page to share with anyone who might be interested in sharing with others. I wish I had this knowledge to pass on to a few family members whom lost their fight with cancer – They were treated with Chemo and they did not fare well.
Stay Brave – Trust in God and yourself… That’s why he created your Brain and Heart. Again – I send you My Prayers and My Love – Be Well. Carlos
Sometimes words seem futile when we are in such a painful situation but I will try to use some that might bring you comfort. First I love your attitude and pray for comfort on the days you have to draw strength from the depths of your soul. You are loved and prayed for by many including me who have not met you. I really believe joy in life comes from an accumulation of many small kindnesses shown to us if just a kind word. Please know you are so loved and remembered every day. May God grant you peace and strength on this painful journey. Kay Clark
Hey Taylor hope the second surgery went well and that your follow-up treatments will not be to hard on you keep thinking of the fall when it will be behind you and you can go back to your fun life praying for you.
I was wondering if your on Facebook. I AM Sure you are. My good friend just found out She has this cancer as well. She is just beginning her journey. We would like to be able to communicate with you. Thanks for very you and being so brave to share your journey. Sending prayers of love and healing light to you.
Yes, I am on Facebook. Feel free to add me! My name is Taylor Lyon. My profile picture is me with two other friends that way it is easier to find. I am kissing my friend’s cheek in the picture.
Hi there Taylor, Just checking in to see how you are doing? Having cancer sure is a journey, with high’s and low’s. How are you?
Tom Carroll
A.C.C. Survivor 1 year
Hello Taylor, I hope you are well and moving on happily with life. I am not wanting to be a pest, but after following your blog for so long, it would be nice if you could drop me a quick note and let me know you are okay, I would appreciate it.
Regards,
-Tom
How are you now Taylor?My father is also a fighter so your reply will satisfied me.
Hi! I have taken a long break from this blog, I think I wanted to forget I had cancer for a while! I am doing absolutely amazing. I have had clear scans since my surgery in 2013. I am enjoying life–got married, bought a house, had a kid (he’s 2 now). I decided I wanted to have another surgery to try to get some more movement in my face. It’s a two part surgery, the first one I had in January of this year and the second one I will have in June or July. I won’t see movement for about four months after and I’ll be doing a lot of physically therapy. I’m excited! How is your dad??