Cancer Survivor Story: Thyroid Cancer, Papillary, Stage 2 | Jenna Cordaro | The Patient Story 

Thank you for sharing your experience. I keep forgetting how much harder COVID made cancer and treatment for everyone, and count my blessings that I didn't have to deal with that when I was undergoing chemo. And thanks for your prayers for all cancer survivors everywhere - I'm adding to them, too. ❤️ Stephanie

Totally agree with everything your saying and feel the exact same way. Just praying to Jesus and putting my trust in Him!

R u cancer free now?

Hi @thefamishedpainter7169, thank you for sharing your story. I was also diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer in 2020 right before I was about to move to the US from India. How are you doing now?

​@@kaverichhikara5391hello how r u now.

So sorry to hear about your diagnosis, just glad that this helped! If you would like to hear from more people, feel free to check out: thepatientstory.com/cancers/thyroid.

Make sure you coordinate any surgery with an Endo doc (re: synthroid titration), both before and ASAP after, so that your thyroid hormone levels remain stable. My surgeon (name & affiliation witheld - it's not sloan) did a great job on the procedure itself (total thyroidectomy), but he didnt start me on synthroid, and instead had me wait 2 weeks before seeing my Endo, by which time my levels were crashing, and almost landed me in the ER. I could hear my Endo doc yelling at him on speaker phone all the way from the waiting room - I think my Endo was both angry and embarassed because he'd recommended the surgeon. Something to avoid. 😉 Anyway, if it's any reassurance, if you're gonna have cancer, papillary is one of the best ones to have, with regards to operability and survivability (95%+), and least malignant. It's about as 'good' as having cancer ever gets, so treat it as good news. In my case, the RAI wiped out anything that escaped the excision. 😏

I was diagnosed with a papillary-folicular combo thyroid cancer in May, 2006.

I began to see an endocrinologist right after the surgery, which took place across the entire summer. My first surgeon told me it looked like I did not have cancer. I changed surgeons immediately. I had had a FNP that was positive so I did not believe him. He also made a number of surgical mistakes so I was ready to change surgeons right away. The rest of my thyroid was removed and the type was diagnosed. I took radioactive iodine 100mg. It was good. I am glad it was over. But not really. I was glad to move to a better surgeon. It was a good decision. I loved my doctors and still do. I had 21 lymph nodes removed with 5 being positive.

Did you have pain or any other symptoms that arent teally regularly talked about or on google?

Thank you so much for your kind words.

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis - if you are looking for more stories: www.thepatientstory.com/cancers/thyroid -Stephanie

I have infertility and a life not worth living anyway as a result of the RAI that they promised me would not affect my eggs.

It’s so stressful 😣 I’m in this group now . How are you doing now?

I’m glad you have remained cancer free. I pray that continues for you ❤️🙏❤️

Kristy, thanks for your kind note! We are sending you the most positive vibes, as well! 🙏❤️

Did u took RAI after first papilary cancer surgery? Pls let me knw

@@kristyevans5305hi are you ok now

Beryl, that is so wonderful!

Thank you ! Been worried because I’m 70 !

@@dianebaum5194 hi , how are you doing ? Are u okay ? How was your sergery , treatment ?

Hi. So now r u going for surgery? I have a lump biopsy result came atopical cells bethesta 3... refered to surgeon for thyroidectomy. I m very confused and scared.

@@aliyahossaini8772 I'm just opting for a lobectomy. Surgery is set for 2 weeks from today (9/5). I'm hoping I can be part of the 47% that won't need medication afterwards. I didn't want to lose my whole thyroid, since at the time of biopsy, it was still contained in the right lobe. I'm here if you need to talk 💜

Just fyi I have infertility and a life not worth living anyway. Menopause expected at 38 and only one good egg from IVF I cannot pay back (only $450 from my go fund me for a $22k round. And need another round.) $600k in debt becoming a doctor. Had to leave medicine the month after I became a doctor bc residency does not allow time off for IVF. They promised me RAI would not affect my eggs. They couldn’t decide if I needed it and promised me. I am 37. At 29 I was diagnosed and had dead cancer cells around my lungs (mediastinum). I had the RAI ONLY BECAUSE I wanted kids and wanted to be sure I had done everybtinf to live a life unaffected by cancer moving forward. Now I have 2 natural miscarriages and only 1 good embryo. My eggs are s**t. They only got 7. I am 37 w menopause expected next year based on labs. I had miscarriages at 34 and 35. I am left w. A life not worth living without my miracle baby. A 20% chance at that. And 3 sui**de attempts, my last being last Mother’s Day. The doctors that told me it would not harm my eggs can go f themselves quite honestly. And I say that as a doctor. Worked in medical field for 10 years prior to med school and have 3 MS degrees. My dog is the only thing keeping me here. Best wishes. I want everyone to know about RAI. And also my aunt delayed her surgery by 3 months to find it had spread everywhere. She passed 9 months later. It is not always the “easy cancer.” You absolutely can die from it. And yes she had the routine pap variant. I had had 3 negative biopsies. One mid surgical that was negative, leading to a second surgery that week. Because the final path was + for pap ca. don’t bank on biopsies. Best wishes.

@@aliyahossaini8772 Just fyi I have infertility and a life not worth living anyway. Menopause expected at 38 and only one good egg from IVF I cannot pay back (only $450 from my go fund me for a $22k round. And need another round.) $600k in debt becoming a doctor. Had to leave medicine the month after I became a doctor bc residency does not allow time off for IVF. They promised me RAI would not affect my eggs. They couldn’t decide if I needed it and promised me. I am 37. At 29 I was diagnosed and had dead cancer cells around my lungs (mediastinum). I had the RAI ONLY BECAUSE I wanted kids and wanted to be sure I had done everybtinf to live a life unaffected by cancer moving forward. Now I have 2 natural miscarriages and only 1 good embryo. My eggs are s**t. They only got 7. I am 37 w menopause expected next year based on labs. I had miscarriages at 34 and 35. I am left w. A life not worth living without my miracle baby. A 20% chance at that. And 3 sui**de attempts, my last being last Mother’s Day. The doctors that told me it would not harm my eggs can go f themselves quite honestly. And I say that as a doctor. Worked in medical field for 10 years prior to med school and have 3 MS degrees. My dog is the only thing keeping me here. Best wishes. I want everyone to know about RAI. And also my aunt delayed her surgery by 3 months to find it had spread everywhere. She passed 9 months later. It is not always the “easy cancer.” You absolutely can die from it. And yes she had the routine pap variant. I had had 3 negative biopsies. One mid surgical that was negative, leading to a second surgery that week. Because the final path was + for pap ca. don’t bank on biopsies. Best wishes.

@@aliyahossaini8772 Just fyi I have infertility and a life not worth living anyway. Menopause expected at 38 and only one good egg from IVF I cannot pay back (only $450 from my go fund me for a $22k round. And need another round.) $600k in debt becoming a doctor. Had to leave medicine the month after I became a doctor bc residency does not allow time off for IVF. They promised me RAI would not affect my eggs. They couldn’t decide if I needed it and promised me. I am 37. At 29 I was diagnosed and had dead cancer cells around my lungs (mediastinum). I had the RAI ONLY BECAUSE I wanted kids and wanted to be sure I had done everybtinf to live a life unaffected by cancer moving forward. Now I have 2 natural miscarriages and only 1 good embryo. My eggs are s**t. They only got 7. I am 37 w menopause expected next year based on labs. I had miscarriages at 34 and 35. I am left w. A life not worth living without my miracle baby. A 20% chance at that. And 3 sui**de attempts, my last being last Mother’s Day. The doctors that told me it would not harm my eggs can go f themselves quite honestly. And I say that as a doctor. Worked in medical field for 10 years prior to med school and have 3 MS degrees. My dog is the only thing keeping me here. Best wishes. I want everyone to know about RAI. And also my aunt delayed her surgery by 3 months to find it had spread everywhere. She passed 9 months later. It is not always the “easy cancer.” You absolutely can die from it. And yes she had the routine pap variant.

OMG I see that is common. Mine was 4 months from US to biopsy. Now 10 days later I still don’t know results. I had to chase the doctor who is out for 2 weeks!

What was ur result?

Yes it is hard bc they can only see at surgery for sure what nodes are suspicious and where it is spread. I am both doctor and thyca patient. Unfortunately I chose to have the RAI bc it was in my mediastinal (chest) lymph nodes but not lungs. But the cancer cells there were dead. So pathologists all around the country consulted and decided to leave it up to me. I decided to do the RAI bc they promised me it would not affect my fertility and I said I want to have it bc I want to have kids soon, and be assured I did everything possible to live a life unaffected by the cancer. Here I am 37. $600k in debt from becoming a doctor. Wasted my good years becoming one to have to leave residency to try IVF aftwr 2 natural miscarriages w partners. I am now doing IVF alone w. A go fund me for my last round of IVF that gave me only 1 good embryo. Trying to pay back $22k that round cost me. Menopause is expected at 38-39 years old so I had to do it now, ready or not, leave medicine after finally becoming a doctor the month prior, and so it alone. I need another round so another $22k. My go fund me raised only $450. That treatment ruined my life and who knows if I needed it? And to say at least I have a life- even with therapy as required for IVF and I had therapy for 12 years regardless for anxiety before- a life without my miracle baby is not a life worth living for me. So the radiation will never be worth it. Idk what will happen. I have attempted suici3e 3x, last time last Mother’s Day after another miscarriage- and IVF is not covered and so unaffordable. My dog is the only thing keeping me here. The “good cancer” ruined mt life thus far. So every doctor that calls it “the good cancer” or “the cancer” you want can go f themselves. Just being honest. Also to my POS endo that told me it would not affect my eggs. I have only 7 eggs and they were shit quality bc I got only that 1 embryo w perfect $2,900 sperm from a reputable bank since I am now doing it alone.

@@traciprovins3221 Hey , i am reall sorry to hear that,hope u r doing good now, my usg report says complex cyst on right thyroid and i scared as hell , and my physican doc sent me home after reading the impression in usg report which says colloidal cyst , but it also written thick well defined wall with echogenic debris , and i am scared as hell , can you guide me , i m just 24

Recommend Paul Robinson's books about T3.

@@mares3841 thanks. Will check out his books

Thanks for the work you do! Couldn't agree more with your message.

Was the CT done after or before surgery just found out my mom has papillary thyroid cancer we have an appt with the surgeon at the end of the month so I don't have a lot of info trying to get more info on the internet

@@gmagam the CT with contrast was done before the surgery to see if the cancer has spread to other organs in the neck or in the upper chest, fortunately in my case there was none, although sometimes it might not detect. And if the cancer has spread to elsewhere like lymph nodes and lungs then its an indication for radioactive iodine therapy after the surgery. One of the most important thing is since its winter season now, take good care of your mom after the surgery, don’t let her get any kind of cold or cough, coughing and sneezing after the surgery will be bad to the surgical wound. Its because the increased thoracic pressure during sneezing and coughing will stretch the wound from inside. And if the cancer has spread, you will need to do those CT scans again to confirm its not there anymore after the radiation therapy

@@sherlock6848 thank-you this is very informative. I hope you are well 🙏

Caroline, we're so sorry to hear about your cancer diagnosis. If you want to hear from more people who've gone through thyroid cancer treatment, check out www.thepatientstory.com/cancers/thyroid. Sending you light and love.

@ Caroline Cutler, reach out to me if you have questions etc. I was diagnosed in 2018. I had my entire thyroid removed and 1 parathyroid and over 20 lymph nodes removed. I had 2 nodules, on each side of my thyroid, both had papillary cancer. 5 lyhmpnodes also had cancer. I had my FNA at NYU Langone and had surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

@@leonoracavalieri8833 old you comment on your experiences post surgery , what to expect and subsequently the use of thyroid medication and how that is going? Just found out this week my mom has thyroid cancer

🙏 I'm sorry to hear.

@@gmagam My surgery went a lot better than I expected. Half my thyroid was removed. Luckily I did not need radiation therapy. I’m feeling better and actually lost 14 pounds since my surgery since I’m more active now. I had one nodule that was 2cm and it was papillary cancer. I do not need thyroid medication since only half my thyroid was removed. Recover was about 3 weeks but not as uncomfortable as I thought it would be.

Wow, 12 years ago! So glad you are doing well and thank you for sharing.

@@ThePatientStory You're very welcome, and TY.

Are u ok now? And are u on meds for thyroid???

Jessica, glad to hear Jenna's story resonated and that you are on the other side of surgery. Here are some more stories that may be helpful → www.thepatientstory.com/cancers/thyroid/. Thinking of you! -Stephanie

Yes it was stage 2 not from the neck nodes and it is stage 2 bc of the mediastinal & lung met. But probably only know this as a doctor. They knew something tho at the biopsy to send someone w thyroid cancer to Sloan. That’s a serious place and most go to endo. They also place JP drains (what she’s talking about w her neck before 41:18 ) w every thyroidectomy, regardless of whether nodes were removed or not. I’ve treated thyroidectomy pts as well as having been one. Every single one has JP drains. Also the “perfect health” comment was probably to assure you you’re able to have the surgery. I couldn’t wait to leave the hospital and told them I didn’t need to be there lol.

Also the JP drains didn’t hurt for me at all. Take a deep breath and it just feels weird to breathe. It depends on how many lymph nodes are removed. My drains didn’t bother me at all. Don’t let other people’s experiences scare you!!! The neck is also the only place you can have 99 nodes removed and drain lymph just fine. Unlike arms, groin etc. JP drains are like little grenades and suck the blood out. You want serisanginous fluid to drain, and just clip them to your gown.

Send good vibes and prayers

It’s the wait lists right now we are in a serious mess. Please get a different opinion maybe 2 and get it done, you know your body! They did this with me with my cousin and it didn’t end so nicely, life was turned upside down over.. if she waited the year she wouldn’t be here, it was small but it aired, and spread fast; grew an so did other masses . Of course it’s not always this way but if you feel something’s off advocate for yourself, 🙏 hope your doing ok

thanks. yes the waiting is a nightmare for many - i was able to get a referral to an ENT and i have my biopsy on March 6 so fingers crossed@@CharitysClarity

Sending you positive vibes!

Jenna is unable to respond to these comments but we have a collection of thyroid cancer survivor stories that may be helpful: www.thepatientstory.com/cancers/thyroid/

Govt hospital dont do that? Which country r u from?

I want to know that too. Just found out my mom has papillary thyroid cancer also.

Almost three years for Jenna! Check the rest of our thyroid stories here: www.thepatientstory.com/cancers/thyroid/

Almost three years for Jenna! Check the rest of our thyroid stories here: www.thepatientstory.com/cancers/thyroid/

Vipul, sounds like you're on the other side of things. So glad to hear.

It occurred again but in which part

@@evukirasoi691 in the neck, it was spread in level 3 and 2nd time was in level 2.

@@alonemast409 is it possible sir, that it can come back after thyroid surgery..

And how it treated again wen it happnd again with you

Hi Lemuel, apologies for not having seen this sooner. We are working on a program to help connect patients but it's not up yet. In the meantime, maybe more stories can help: thepatientstory.com/cancers/thyroid

Everything is fine?

so how r u doing now?

Hi Nadia, we believe it's Dr. Richard Wong at Memorial Sloan Kettering in NYC. Best of luck!

I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2012. I had four sessions of Radioactive iodine therapy already. And now, everyday I am also suffering from those pains you've mentioned. For almost 10 years battling with cancer, I am still hoping one day I'll be declared cancer free.

Usually thyroid cancer doesn't have pain. I think yours probably benign.Mostly benigh thyroid lump, about 95%....

I don't think so, my surgery was in 2012 and march 2014 and I'm healthy.

No it's wrong

No human can predict lives.. this type of cancer is highly curable than any other cancer.. stay positive.. there are the survey that these patients are living long… google can’t answer exactly for these type of question

I'm really sorry. That is so crazy.