Tanya is a Brisbane mum who is fighting Thyroid Cancer, a single mum to Z, who is back with her 3rd fight against this horrible disease in 4 years. She needs a village to rally around her to help. Especially in the midst of a pandemic when her family live interstate in areas of concern and are in lockdown. If you would like to help please donate, if you like to read her entire story please continue below...




2018 - the journey begins and should have ended

September
Tanya started experiencing really bad anxiety, panic attacks, hot flushes, insomnia, sheer exhaustion. It was to the point Tanya struggled to cope with everyday tasks. Her heart rate was super high 120-140 resting and one day She ended up having a panic attack that lasted almost 5 hours - She honestly thought for sure She having a heart attack; so went to the hospital where Tanya presented with chest pains, sweating, pain in arms and her heart felt like it was about to explode... Tanya was seen straight away and they ran a series of tests which came back with a super low white blood cell count and showed an issue with her thyroid. Tanya was discharged after multiple hours and told She needed to see a GP within the next 24 hours. The next day Tanya booked in with the GP who took more blood and organised a holter monitor. The blood work came back and the receptionist rang and said Tanya was booked with an endocrinologist... He wanted an ultrasound and more blood. This then resulted in 2 more visits to the endocrinologist and then a fine needle biopsy due to the ultrasound showing 4 suspicious nodules. She were nervous. The results of this was 95% hurtle cells and a diagnosis of stage 4 thyroid cancer.

November
Tanya underwent a full thyroidectomy, a overnight stay in hospital.

December 
Tanya received a letter from the Australian and New Zealand Thyroid cancer research group a few days before the post op appointment saying she had been added to a research group for people with Thyroid Cancer. Tanya and her dad went to the post op and it was confirmed She did in fact have thyroid cancer and it has spread to the lymph nodes and had blood vessel involvement.


2019 - a simple but hard year
Tanya was then referred to have radioactive iodine treatment which occurred in May. Tanya had seen her endocrinologist during this period for blood work monitoring after the radioactive iodine treatment. Which involved 17 days away from her son Z - missing his 3rd Birthday

2020 - I was not prepared for this…
Tanya had to wait a full year before She could have a follow up ultrasound. Life started to return to normal. Tanya enrolled in a full time TAFE course in Community Services. She
began foster caring for a variety of venerable children. She began to rebuild and the family began adventures without the anxiety and worry.

May
It was time for the yearly ultrasound and this showed Tanya had 2 suspicious lymph nodes and She again referred to have a biopsy. She felt like it was all starting again. The biopsy confirmed that the cancer had indeed reoccurred in 2 Lymph nodes the thyroglobulin (cancer markers) measured 16000 and 500 they should be at zero. Tanya was then referred to have surgery.

June
Tanya went into surgery there was a major rare complication with her Thoracic duct and it took a vascular surgeon to get it under control . A drain was left in to drain Chyle/lymphatic fluid. When Tanya came too she was In a lot of pain and had a large Numb patch from her chin to her shoulder as nerves had to be sacrificed and is unlikely to ever get that feeling back, the nerve also meant Tanya is unable to fully raise her arm but still has most movement. Tanya spent 1 night in ICU and 9 nights in a general ward.

July
Tanya saw the Surgeon again who advised they believe he got all of the cancer but there was a “massive” amount. He has advised follow up with her Endocrinologist and do another round of radioactive iodine. Tanya followed up with her endocrinologist in October who advised due to her age and the risks associated with Radioactive iodine they would use a wait and watch approach. Her thyroglobulin markers had decreased.

November
Tanya's husband abruptly ended their 6 year marriage. Leaving the home and ceasing all communication with both Z and Tanya. Tanya was still recovering from her treatment and was almost completed her TAFE course. This left her unable to work in addition to this and adjusting being a sole parent all in the midst of a pandemic. She had to start thinking what the best future might look like for her and Z. Tanya chose to start fresh, relocating to Brisbane to Board with her sister (and family) and began the process of finding a local kindergarten for Z, after many phone calls and emails of no success she then began the process of enrolling 4 year old Z into School. Thankful he was accepted at the school her worries began to ease but she was still anxious about the disadvantages Z had faced due to her being so sick over his short life. Upon enrolment she began to notice the things he was struggling with.


2021- Why are we here again!

February Tanya saw her new GP armed with a huge folder of treatment, diagnoses of her medical history and was sent for blood work and a ultrasound both of which came back with no issues.

August Tanya followed up again with a new GP seeking a endocrinologist referral as she is to be closely monitored for any changes to quickly notice any potential reoccurrence. She was again sent for a ultrasound and blood work. This showed 2 suspicious lymph nodes and her thyroglobulin was detectable again. Tanya contacted her previous medical team asking for a referral to a surgeon.

September
Tanya will meet with the surgical team to see where to from here as well as have a PET scan with radioactive glucose transfer. She found out she is positive for the BTAFV600e gene. Sheis scared and her army is small having only relocated recently.

She will have to undergo more radioactive iodine treatment in February 2022which will be double the dose 180 Mci. 

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