I’m not going to filter it—adjusting to life after thyroid cancer is hard. You go from a whirlwind of bloodwork, surgery, radioactive iodine, full-body scans... and then suddenly it’s, ‘Just take a pill, and you’ll feel normal.’ But your thyroid controls your body temperature, energy levels, heart rate, and more. It’s not as simple as taking a pill—it’s about finding the right brand and dosage that works for your body.
You have to stay on a brand or dosage for about three months just to see if it’s working, and even if it produces the bloodwork results your doctor wants, that doesn’t always mean you feel like yourself. It’s a lot of trial and error to find balance. It’s figuring out the right diet, exercise, and routine. Personally, it’s been the hardest part of the journey.
That’s why ThyTabono created a journal by survivors, for survivors, to support from the moment of diagnosis. It includes artwork by fellow survivors, pages for tracking symptoms, daily logs, treatment plans, medication changes, and more. If you know someone diagnosed with thyroid cancer, I encourage you to gift them this journal. And if you’d like to support the cause, please consider donating. Proceeds help provide resources to survivors and donate journals to those in need.
#ThyroidCancerAwareness #SurvivorSupport #CheckYourNeck #ThyTabono
I had a cold and went to urgent care, where the doctor prescribed meds and, surprisingly, suggested a thyroid ultrasound after I recovered because my thyroid felt swollen.
Thyroid cancer is the 4th most common cancer among women in the U.S., yet there’s no regular screening for it. A few months ago I attended a Women’s Health event hosted by the South Tampa Chamber, featuring a panel of physicians. The best part? They offered free thyroid ultrasounds!
I was totally fan-girling listening to Dr. Rashmi Roy speak about thyroid cancer and the incredible program she’s started to provide free thyroid screenings to the community. Her goal is to make thyroid screenings as routine as mammograms one day. As a thyroid cancer survivor, I find this initiative amazing. Remember, thyroid cancer can’t be detected through bloodwork, and physical exams can only go so far. If you’re in the Tampa area, I highly encourage you to attend one of Dr. Roy’s free screening events. And don’t forget to ask your doctor for a neck check during your next physical. #earlydetection #checkyourneck
When I was first diagnosed with thyroid cancer, I didn’t want to talk about it. Only family, close friends, and necessary coworkers knew. Those conversations were tough, and I just wanted it to be over. Two years after my surgery, I faced a recurrence, and it sucked. At under 30, going through cancer again, I desperately needed a community, but finding someone my age who could relate was tough. So, I started a blog and an Instagram account—writing became my outlet.
Three years later, with the support of incredible friends, that blog blossomed into a 501(c)(3). Over the past four years, I’ve connected with so many thyroid cancer survivors, and together we’ve built an amazing community. Our mission is to provide resources, support, and motivation to help thyroid cancer survivors thrive. Today, we’re sharing resources for everyone—survivors, spouses, parents, siblings, and friends—because no one should ever feel alone on this journey.
#thyroidcancersurvivor #thyroidcancerawareness
A day late but we’ll just blame it on my thyroid brain 😂😅
I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at 26 and vividly remember asking myself, ‘What is a thyroid?’ Flash forward 10 years, and I’ve learned that the thyroid does a hell of a lot—it regulates your metabolism, heart rate, body temperature, and even mood. While thyroid cancer has a high survival rate, cancer is still cancer—it changes your life in ways you can’t imagine. This month, I’m committed to spreading the word and reminding you all to ‘check your neck.’ Early detection matters.
Share this post and help me spread the word.
#ThyroidCancerAwareness #CheckYourNeck #ThyroidThursday
10 years ago today…
It’s kind of crazy to think it’s been 10 years since my full thyroidectomy and how much life had changed since. The phases that I went through from disbelief to anger, accepting my diagnosis to sharing my story.
Those first years were so crazy
Thyroidectomy Prep
- Weekly Iron Infusions
- Endoscopy + Colonoscopy
- Nasoendoscopy
Full Thyroidectomy- August 14, 2014
A surgery that should have lasted 3-4 hours lasted about 7! The cancer was very close to my vocal chords and the surgeon wanted to scrap off as much as possible. I woke up with almost no voice, but it slowly came back and I could talk normally at about 3 weeks post op.
Nov 2014 - Radioactive ☢️ Iodine
I remember being quarantined in a hospital room for about 3 days. I don’t even think it full hit me until I left.
Full body scan a week later was clear.
November 2015 - Tracer Dose of Radioactive Iodine
Full body scan all clear
November 2016 - My scans were clear but my antibodies hadn’t gone down as expected so we did a full body PET Scan. The area until my right collar bone lit up.
February 7, 2017 - Right Night Dissection (had a drain this time)
March 31, 2017 - The first ThyTabono post + the start of ThyTabono as a blog
March 2020 - ThyTabono becomes a 501(c)3
Scans have been clear since… bloodwork monitored annually… meds adjusted as needed…
This community has helped me in more ways than I could ever describe. It has helped me find others I can relate to, that understand my journey better than anyone. This community has helped me to become an advocate for thyroid cancer survivors and to rediscover who I am beyond being a survivor.
10 years is for all of those who helped me to get here.
Thank you 🙏🏽
I’ve been taking a moment to reflect on the past 4 years. How a blog that started out as a means to process what I was going through became so much bigger than I could have ever imagined. It has been truly incredible to be able to use this platform to connect with so many survivors and my hope is that one day many of us can meet ‘IRL’. ThyTabono’s mission is to improve the quality of life of thyroid cancer survivors by providing them with the resources, motivation and support to thrive. I looked up the original email I sent to a few friends asking if they would be part of a board in order to start a nonprofit. My goal was to create a financial resource to help cover the cost of thyroid replacement for AYA’s and that’s what I want to get back to this year. ✨
Where it all started ✨
I was cleaning out a drawer this afternoon when I found my imagine notebook 📓 (it literally says imagine on the front cover) and this post is the first thing you find when you open it. The actual first page is blank. There’s a dated page a few pages in .. 2/23/17 with the domain information for ThyTabono.com - I was starting a blog.
As I flip through the pages I find my notes for blog posts, followed by how to become a 501(c)3 nonprofit, mission statement, 3 year goals, how to open a nonprofit bank account and so much more.
2023 was the first time I truly felt disconnected from ThyTabono + my journey as a survivor. It’s a weird feeling after being so involved for so long. So I decided it was best to take a step back. Myself and the board take pride in the resources we provide to this community and you have to be all in it!
Looking forward to reconnecting with you all this year.
Happy 2024!
Patricia 🦋
Happy Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month! 🦋
For me, being diagnosed 9 years ago now, it’s access to resources and a community that didn’t previously exist. It means not having to go through this process alone. It’s all the incredible survivors I’ve met that understand what I’ve been through and just get it.
Share with us what Thyroid cancer awareness month mean to you? 👇🏽
Missing a wholesome bowl during LID? We’ve got you cover with this Chicken Larb Bowl 🍲 nutritious + flavorful!
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Let us know your thoughts when you make it 👇🏽
Vivir con Cáncer de Tiroides o una Enfermedad de Tiroides Crónica, suele ser un poco difícil de entender y muy fácil de juzgar erróneamente. Realmente, es una lucha diaria para muchos pacientes. Los mismos, no pretenden obtener simpatía o pena con sus experiencias, pero lo ideal para estas personas es poder tener más apoyo, comprensión y empatía de aquellos quienes los rodean y aman.
