Update as of June 3, 2026 - I have completed the injections, scans, and RAI last week. I am still on isolation after the radiation dose I received last week, but will be able to get my kids back Thursday from grandma's, where they've been the past week. I had a repeat whole body scan today and well, it wasn't good. There was a lot of iodine uptake in my neck, along with a spot in my right lower lung. This is indicating metastasis to my lung. Next step is 2 CT's - one to my lungs, and one to my neck. From there, my case will be presented to the tumor board to discuss next steps. We greatly appreciate any further assistance anyone would care to donate, but all these bills are coming. I don't expect anything. But if you CAN donate, we will be eternally grateful. God bless.

Hello. My name is Whitney. I am in my late 30s. I have been married for 9 years. And I (well, my husband and I) have 2 amazingly beautiful kids. I am a Registered Nurse and have done nursing for 10 years now! I've done a large variety of nursing, with a lot of the roles running concurrent with another role: clinic, trauma, surgery, forensics (SANE), COVID, psych.

Now, to the purpose of my need for assistance. When I was 17, I had my right thyroid removed due to precancerous cells - no biggie. In June 2022, I had my left thyroid lobe removed (see pictures) because it was cutting off my airway. It was HUGE! During surgery, they also removed some suspicious looking lymph nodes. Turns out, my thyroid was full of cancer, and the lymph nodes were, too. Technical diagnosis was Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma stage 2. I had the option to do a type of radiation but wouldn't be able to have another baby for a long while. I opted for frequent monitoring. September 2022, I received a diagnosis of 2 more cancers (lucky me, right?). Surgery for one of those and a topical chemo ointment for the other. 10/10 don't recommend that one FYI. But lucky for me, I got pregnant with that little blonde hair, blue-eyed kid. I was monitored heavily during pregnancy due to my high risks. He arrived perfectly healthy, and was actually due on my daughters 5th bday, but he didn't want to share the day.

I was on my husband's insurance and it skyrocketed to an amount that was 100% not affordable. So, we dropped it and after doing the math, my yearly scans were cheaper out of pocket. Everything has been "undetectable" ever since. Which leads me to the big NOW moment. Last week, I had part of my labs at the health department. I saw those results and my heart sank. I had my oncology appointment Wednesday and that's when I had my tumor markers checked, along with my ultrasound. My doctor told me she was anticipating my tumor markers being elevated. She didn't do as thorough of an ultrasound for this reason. She was right... my tumor markers, after 3.5 years, are definitely showing cancer. She wants me to do a radioactive iodine scan. (FYI - thyroid cancer does not show up on PET scans). To do this, I would have to do 1 of 2 options. First option is doing 2 injections (one day then the next) to mimic coming off my meds - these are very expensive, near $4000. Second option is to come off my meds for 4-6 weeks, which will make me feel super sick. Day 3 I would have blood work and the radioactive scan. If there is any evidence of thyroid cancer anywhere in my body, then I will have to do a type of radiation the same day. This will require me to be away from my children for at least 7 days - my loves, my world, my LIGHT. I also won't be able to work because I work with kids. If I can't afford the injections, I'll have to take time off work during that 4-6 week period because I'll be sick.

Yes, I have applied for financial assistance (and as a nurse myself, I know how far that can MAYBE go). I'm just asking for a little help if anybody can. And of course, this is right before the holidays, so I get it. The plan is for sometime at the beginning of the year, but also depends on if I do injections or no meds.

I'm sorry to have to ask for this need... my cancer is my burden, not yours. So, if you can help, great! If you can offer prayers for me and my family, great, too! If you can share my story, that's appreciated, as well.

(And if you don't want to donate via gofundme, I do have PayPal, zelle, venmo, as well).