Thyroid Cancer & Recovery

Hello, my name is Tatjana but you can call me Tati. I'll be thirty-two in August (born in 1991). I am the proud parent of two wonderful little ladies, Tiger and Teal (11 & 9). Tiger and Teal are both honor students and budding artists. I work three jobs to try and make ends meet. I do glass and metal engravings for special events and get hired all over north and central Florida. I'm also a Lab Technician with Valenica College, where I assist with the Plant Science Program and help manage the greenhouses and plant plots around campus. I am a single parent, and I have cancer.

At the end of 2020 I noticed there was a lump in my neck. Throughout the beginning of 2021 I noticed that the lump in my neck would not diminish. During the tax season I had some extra money so I decided to go to a clinic and get a physical. My blood work came back and my levels were slightly off, so my primary care provider recommended I go see an endocrinologist. I got an ultrasound, then I got a biopsy, and then I was told that I have Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. In August of 2021, I had my entire thyroid removed (Thyroidectomy) along with the cancerous nodule that was growing in and on top of it. When the pathology came back from the operation, it showed lymph node involvement. In October, of 2021, I had my first dose of RAI abalation (radiation) to treat and destroy the remaining cancer cells. In February, of 2022, I had another small 'tracer dose' of radiation to see if there were any cancer spots left, and the results came back with no uptake--which was a good thing. However, my blood work was tellung a differentstory.

In December 2022 I found a new endocrinologist to take over my case. I discussed some of my concerns with them and we started running tests. In March of this year, 2023, we decided to test for a different type of cancer marker. My antibodies have continued to climb and double every 3 months since my thyroid removal. Because it doubled and then doubled again and then doubled again, the doctor's suspected that I have what is called a thyroglobulin antibody. These antibody's disguise the cancer cells by clustering around it and making it hard to detect the cancer it's trying to contain. I did the blood test and my doctor scheduled me for another ultrasound to check the area. To my dismay, more nodules were found, and lymph node involvement is present. The blood work also showed high levels, which is what we expected anyway.

My endocrinologist is extremely proactive. They suggested I seek a more specialized treatment through specific doctors who treat Thyroid Cancer all day, and every day--So I did. I met with my doctors in the beginning of june, were they performed another ultrasound to see exactly where these nodules and lumps are sitting at around my throat. Both of the doctors are extremely nice and took the time to explain exactly where the cancer is growing and what kind of procedure I'm about to undergo to remove it, again. On June 14th, 2023, I will be getting surgery on my neck to remove the infected lymph nodes and to pull out anything else the doctor may see that is cancerous, or is just not right. From there they will send in what they take to pathology to test for a BRAF genetic that may show me to be resistant to radiation treatment. In which case I won't be taking another dose of radiation, the doctors and I will discuss different forms of treatment. My surgeon said that the only risk I have with the surgery, coming out of it, would be that my voice may be a little messed up, or gone. There are treatments for this, if my voice somehow gets messed up. Either way, I don't much care for my voice other than using it to sing to my children. But if I have to give up my voice so that I can be cancer-free, then I'll do it.

As I mentioned before, I am a single working parent of two wonderful children. Unfortunately none of my occupations have leave benefits. So, anytime I'm off is time that I don't get paid. I am in need of some finacial help until I can get back on my feet to work after this next surgery and after this next treatment, whatever it may be.