A little crazy, a lot loud, always happy. That describes Renee. You will recognize her easily. She is the beautiful blond with the tattoos and piercings whose infectious laughter you can hear miles away. Diagnosed in 2000 at age 23 with Thyroid Cancer, she is a survivor of five recurrences and single mom of a six year old daughter. She teaches everybody that knows her about her motto: "Just keep swimming!"

Knowing Renee has taught me that we can all face life's challenges if we face it with humor and honesty.

How did you find out you had cancer?

During my second prenatal visit while pregnant with my daughter, my doctor found a lump in my neck. She sent me for an ultrasound and on February 4, 2000, I was told that I had cancer. It was papillary cancer of the thyroid. I know that now, but at the time I just heard -- Cancer.

What types of cancer treatments were recommended?

My doctor and I had a long discussion about this, as I was pregnant and was adamant that I would not terminate the pregnancy. We had to wait until I was at least 20 weeks pregnant before I could have the surgery. I had a total thyroidectomy and bilateral neck dissection. I had to look that up in my chart when you asked me. I could not remember everything. That whole time is really blurry. I was pregnant, I had cancer, I moved from one city to another - it was crazy!

How did you research cancer and cancer treatments?

I ask a lot of questions and I am the type of person that has to know everything! My doctor did not have all the answers, but she was awesome. She phoned the hospital and had them fax me everything they had on Thyroid Cancer. My boyfriend and I researched a lot on the internet as well.

How did you tell your family?

I drove home. It's funny, because I phoned them to tell them I was pregnant, but I could not tell them this over the phone. I drove the four hours and just sat them down and told them. My family is amazing. They are my support system. We are very close and share everything. We all got the same tattoo with my third recurrence - we share a special bond.

What advice would you give to someone newly diagnosed with cancer?

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Never, ever think that a question is dumb or not important. If you can think of a question, it is worth asking. Make sure you have a good support system. Tell people what you need. My family knows that sometimes I just need to be a total disaster and they should just let me be.

What advice would you give the family members and friends of someone diagnosed with cancer?

Be honest. Some people told me that they could handle me being sick, but as soon as they saw me in the hospital with drainage tubes out of my neck, they freaked. I would rather know from the beginning that someone can not handle it rather than relying on them and then being disappointed. Don't be afraid to laugh at the situation. Sometimes things happen that is funny and it's okay to laugh. When I went in for my surgery, my sister and I laughed all the way through pre-op.

As a cancer survivor, what thoughts do you have on surviving cancer and being a cancer survivor?

I am a different person now. I used to be really stuck up, but after my cancer diagnosis I realized I would rather be remembered as the crazy girl than the girl who did not talk to anyone. I don't care what people think of me anymore -- what you see is what you get. We always have to remember what Dory (from Finding Nemo) taught us: "Just keep swimming!"