My daughter Abby is 18 years old and has just started college. What should be a magical time of celebration and planning out her future has turned into the unfathomable: a cancer diagnosis.

A few months ago, my daughter was getting ready on a random Sunday and noticed a big lump on the right side of her neck. She called her mom over and they made a doctors appointment immediately. After months of different labs, tests and doctors we found an amazing and well-educated otolaryngologist. He scheduled her for a total thyroidectomy, which later had to be split into two partials. The first surgery was awful, destroying her right vocal cord and parathyroid glands. The surgeon couldn't risk doing the other side at that point. After two separate pathology labs, the results came back a few weeks later with worst case scenario-- positive for invasive papillary carcinoma. A few weeks after that she'd gone back in to get the left side out. This surgery did turn out to be a lot better, but still came back with the same results.. cancer. With new found knowledge, it has spread from the goiter on her thyroid throughout both sides, down to her throat and into her lungs. The severity of the thyroid cancer is considered pt4a; while there is still a possibility of the particles in her throat and lungs being more aggressive. She does have a decent chance of recovery, but will cause lifelong issues. She will now need constant checkups and she will be on a hormone replacement for the rest of her life.

In the midst of the unknown, one thing we do know is that we have a long, difficult road ahead of us. She needs to have a special kind of treatment called radioactive iodine therapy and possible chemotherapy before she can start her thyroid medication. Her TSH levels are way beyond what is considered 'normal' leaving her tired and weak, so she is on bed rest for now receiving constant care from her mother and I. She has been out of work for almost seven weeks and the exact timeframe for recovery is unknown but will consume the better parts of at least a year.

Our family has been devastated with the amount of cancer that has spread throughout it. Her grandmother, her aunt and her uncle are just a few losses our family has had to endure to this disease over the years. As I'm sure you can imagine, this diagnosis has been heartbreaking on our family, but together we rise. We are graciously overwhelmed with the love we've received so far for Abby. While there are many unknowns at this point, we do know we have a village to back us up. Thank you all for your support, donations, prayers, and constant love and strength. We truly, truly appreciate it all.