10 Jun Surviving Thyroid Cancer | Josef Levy | Keeping Things in Perspective

On June 18, 2007, I was at a work function attending a dinner, when I received a message on my Blackberry from my wife Lysa. The message was actually a question. When are you coming home? Now you need to understand that my wife rarely questions my whereabouts or inquires when I’m coming home.

In the back of my mind, I knew I was expecting some biopsy results from a recent exam. Weeks prior, my doctors located a one centimeter nodule on my thyroid. However, I was not terribly worried because I was told by the doctor that the majority of these are no-cancerous. When I arrived home, my wife told me that my doctors had called with some bad news. Then Lysa told me “Joey, you have cancer”

My incredible emotional life- long roller coaster ride had begun. After surgery to have my thyroid removed, I had a radiation treatment and was off work for five months.The experience has had a profound impact on my life in so many ways. However, the most important message I can share is “don’t sweat the small stuff”. Life is short and you only get the opportunity to write so many chapters in this “book of life”.

Support can be one of the most powerful tools in the fight against this disease we call cancer. The Law Enforcement Cancer Support Foundation was created to help and assist our law enforcement family with the support they may need if they are facing a cancer diagnosis
The members of our team stand tall and ready to provide you with the support and resources you may need. Pease don’t hesitate to call us.

God bless, Joe Levy

Josef Levy was employed by the City of Long Beach and was a Commander with the Long Beach Police Department. Joe is also the President of the National Law Enforcement Cancer Support Foundation.