The Battle I didn't Choose. Fighting the BIG C.

My Life Before:

It was during my first year in college. Living the life that I always envisioned, chasing my dreams and planning my future. Those were the years that I felt perfectly healthy and happy.

Here's a photo of me before I was diagnosed with Papillary Carcinoma.

I never thought I was sick that time. I gained weight (you can tell because of my chubby cheeks), I was living a decent lifestyle and it was that point in my life where I decided to go on a meatless diet. All along thinking I was healthy.

Fast forward to when I was diagnosed and how I discovered that I had Papillary Carcinoma.

How did I find out?

I wasn't able to keep a picture with my lumped neck and it wasn't visible in any of my pictures before the surgery. So going back...

It was actually one of my professors who noticed and encouraged me to have it checked. I was hesitant to go to the hospital because I was used to having swollen lymph nodes every time I caught colds or cough. But this time it was different, the lump on my neck wasn't subsiding and the lump became noticeably visible.

Doctor Consultation:

I told my fiance (now my husband) and his family about the lump on my neck. They scheduled to see a doctor the next day. The doctor explained that the lump was suspicious for Papillary Carcinoma/ Papillary Cancer which he explained is the most common thyroid type.

After a thorough check-up, he advised us to schedule me for a biopsy and if the result came out positive, he would perform a complete thyroid removal. Since, the cancer was detected in my 20's almost 30's, the lump needed to be removed immediately. My doctor assured me this type of cancer is one of the most curable cancer types and the survival rate is close to 100%.

The Biopsy/ Surgery:

After the biopsy, they instantly found out the lump was not benign and the cyst already ate 70% of my thyroid gland. They scheduled the full thyroidectomy surgery right after that.

I was unconscious that time, but I knew there was a 99% chance that I would undergo surgery that night. I was more anxious knowing I had to spend time recovering after instead of being able to just go to school finishing my final exams.

"This a photo of me heading to school two and half weeks after my surgery. I asked my fiance to take an ootd photo of me. I didn't wait after the 3 weeks recuperating period. As I said, I was eager to finish all my exams and enroll for my next year in college. I was this stubborn!". (My stubbornness paid off - I graduated on the Dean's List!... more of that on my next blog...)

How it feels?

"My first decent selfie after my surgery. "

Until now, I still can't believe I went through that phase in my life and that I was able to survive that challenge. But there are times that I feel different than I was before.

I'll be sharing with you more on my next blog.

Thank you taking the time to read My Story!

Feel Free to leave your comments and advice if you have anything to share.
I will be excited and happy to read them all!

Much appreciated! 😊