“Dr. Gannon and the whole team changed my life … Dr. Berman is incredible at what she does. She saved my life and I’m forever grateful for her.”
– Jenna, patient
When I was 13 years old, I went for a routine well visit. My doctor was doing an examination on my neck and noticed my thyroid felt enlarged. She sent me to get labs and an ultrasound. My labs confirmed that I had Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Then, we received the results from my ultrasound. It showed that I had two thyroid nodules. I had a small one on my left side, and then a bigger one on my right. The border of the nodule was irregular and calcified. This looked suspicious. I was referred to a Nemours endocrinologist, Dr. Doyle. He told my mom and I that he recommends another ultrasound and to visit another endocrinologist who specializes in treating thyroid cancers. He had already scheduled the appointments for us and got us in the next week.
The day before Thanksgiving in 2016, I went in for my ultrasound. My family and I figured it’s probably nothing serious and this is just a precaution. After my ultrasound, we met with [a Nemours endocrinology specialist for pediatric thyroid cancer] Dr. Gannon. We went over how this came about in the first place. Nothing could have prepared me for what I was about to hear. On the ultrasound, they found some abnormal lymph nodes.
Dr. Gannon told us, “This is highly suspicious for thyroid cancer.”
My heart immediately sank into my stomach. Those words changed my life forever. I thought, there’s no way this could be true. I asked so many questions. Dr. Gannon went over the treatment for thyroid cancer and recommended we proceed with a biopsy and follow up with a Nemours pediatric surgeon, Dr. Berman.
In December 2016, I was officially diagnosed with thyroid cancer. In January 2017, I had a total thyroidectomy, as well as 13 lymph nodes removed. 9 out of 13 lymph nodes were cancer. After my surgery, I had a treatment called radioactive iodine to kill the cancer cells. I had to be on a low iodine diet prior to receiving treatment, and I had to be quarantined after treatment. I had a follow-up scan and the treatment was successful.
Over the course of eight years, I had ultrasounds and labs done to track my levels and to make sure no masses appeared. There were some bumps in the road. We had a difficult time getting my thyroid stimulating (TSH) levels down. Once we got them under control, everything was great!
Recovery was difficult at first. Going to the doctors often and having tests done frequently and
then going back to an average life was strange and took adjusting. But now, I’m glad everything is back to normal and I’m living a healthy normal life.
Treatment and Time at Nemours Children’s
Before receiving treatment, having Hashimoto’s thyroiditis affected me daily. I was tired all the time, and my weight was always fluctuating. With having a thyroid nodule, I would experience difficulty swallowing, which gave me a lot of anxiety. I wanted to mention how caring Dr. Gannon is. He helped my family and I through this ENTIRE process. We are so grateful for that.
My doctors and nurses were amazing at Nemours. I’m also thankful for Dr. Doyle, who recommended further treatment and investigation.
When I went for my biopsy, I had to be sedated, which gave me a great amount of anxiety. I still remember my nurse, Laura M. who helped me calm down and treated me like I was her own. I remember crying my way into the operating room and Laura calming me down. She was there from the moment I went in, till the moment I left the hospital. I remember her wheeling me out to the car and giving me a hug. She made such a scary procedure so much easier.
Dr. Berman is amazing and made sure to answer every question we had. She is so sweet and helped my family and I during such a difficult time. Prior to this diagnosis, I had found my passion for singing. My biggest concern going into this was that I wasn’t going to be able to sing anymore. My school musical was coming up in three months and I was really hoping to be able to be in it and perform. She took my concern seriously and I really appreciated that so much.
When I woke up from surgery, I didn’t even have any hoarseness. I was so happy. I was able to perform my solo in my school musical two months after my surgery. Not only did I get to perform in my school musical, but years later I went on to sing at Radio City Music Hall, perform the National Anthem for Hockey Fights Cancer Night for the NY Rangers at Madison Square Garden, and I also became my high school’s National Anthem singer. Dr. Berman is incredible at what she does. She saved my life and I’m forever grateful for her.
Dr. Gannon always took our concerns seriously. One thing I will always appreciate is that he never rushed us at our appointments, and he always took time to thoroughly answer our questions. (My first appointment I had so many questions!) Not only is Dr. Gannon awesome at what he does, but he also has a great personality and a sense of humor, which is a relief when you’re going through such a difficult time. Dr. Gannon also referred us to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Make-A-Wish has completely changed my life. In 2018, my wish to have a photoshoot in New York City was granted by TIME magazine. Through Make-A-Wish, I was introduced to an organization called The Garden of Dreams Foundation, which gave me the opportunity to perform at Radio City Music Hall, and sing the National Anthem for Hockey Fights Cancer Night. This would have never been possible without Dr. Gannon.
When I turned 21 and I had to leave Nemours, I cried, a lot. Dr. Gannon and the whole team changed my life. I can’t even begin to describe how grateful my family and I are for Dr. Gannon. He saved my life, and I am forever grateful for everything he has done for us.
Advice for Patients and Future Plans
My advice for patients going through thyroid cancer and thyroid disease is to never stop fighting. Most importantly, you are not alone in this. The road is difficult, but you are so much stronger. You are amazing and you got this.
After recovery, I used my Instagram platform (PediatricThyroid) to help pediatric patients who were going through treatment for thyroid cancer and thyroid disease. At the time of my treatment, I literally felt so lonely. Through my Instagram, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to meet so many people going through the same. Talking to your family, friends and social workers is so helpful, and I’m so grateful for the endless support, but there’s nothing that compares to talking with someone who has gone through the same thing as you.
I feel like that was a major part of my recovery. In the future, I’d love to start an organization to help create more awareness for pediatric thyroid cancer and disease and create an outlet to help them through this tough journey.
In October 2024, I graduated from esthetician school, and I hope to become a medical
esthetician. I also plan to keep spreading awareness for pediatric thyroid cancer and disease,
as it’s not as common in children as adults. For me, connecting with thyroid cancer patients has healed me in so many ways. I felt so alone but then I realized I’m not anymore. I continue to go for ultrasounds and labs, which have been great!
