Navigating Thyroid Cancer AND Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML): Jannette’s Story
Imagine recovering from thyroid cancer treatment and the road back to “normal,” when you get a second diagnosis, this time a rare blood cancer known as chronic myeloid leukemia, or CML. Jannette’s story is one of resilience and finding strength in the face of difficult circumstances.
Interviewed by: Nikki Murphy
Edited by: Katrina Villareal
She was first diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2010 after experiencing recurring sore throat, trouble swallowing, and swelling. At first, she thought it was just strep throat, but when the symptoms persisted, she trusted her instincts and pushed for more testing. That decision led to her diagnosis and eventually two surgeries to remove her thyroid, along with chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
Just when she began to regain her strength, life shifted again. In 2014, Jannette started experiencing fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and even noticing blood during bowel movements. Because of her personal and family history of cancer, her doctor referred her to an oncologist. After a bone marrow biopsy and blood work, she received another life-altering diagnosis: chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).
Hearing the words a second time felt overwhelming, leading Jannette to break down. Still, she moved forward with treatment. She began taking chemotherapy in pill form, which was initially difficult to manage since swallowing pills was already a challenge due to her thyroid surgery. Eventually, her doctor found a medication that was easier to take, and today, her leukemia is in remission. She continues to be monitored closely and takes daily medication.
Jannette also lives with another challenge: she’s an amputee, having lost her left arm and leg as a child in a traumatic accident. That reality has shaped her strength, but it has also made managing cancer more complex. She is honest about the fear of recurrence, the difficulty of acceptance, and the exhaustion of living with a chronic condition.
What stands out most in Jannette’s story is her advocacy for others. She emphasizes the importance of listening to your body, seeking medical help when something feels off, and not staying silent when the emotional weight becomes too heavy. She encourages reaching out for support from social workers, counselors, or trusted loved ones, because isolation can make the experience much harder.
Her authenticity, vulnerability, and determination remind us that survivorship is about more than treatments and scans. It’s about permitting yourself to seek help, embracing support systems, and holding onto hope even in the most uncertain times.
Watch Jannette’s story to find out more:
- How recurring sore throat led to her thyroid cancer diagnosis
- What new symptoms revealed her chronic myeloid leukemia
- How daily oral chemotherapy impacts her life today
- Why living as an amputee shaped her resilience and perspective
- The advice she gives others about seeking support and not staying silent
Scroll down to read the transcript of Jannette’s interview.
- Name: Jannette J.
- Age at Diagnosis:
- 29
- Diagnoses:
- Thyroid Cancer (2010)
- Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (2014)
- Symptoms:
- Thyroid Cancer
- Recurring sore throat
- Worsening throat pain
- Difficulty swallowing
- Swelling in the neck
- Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Blood with bowel movements
- Treatments:
- Surgery: thyroidectomy
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
This interview has been edited for clarity and length. This is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider to make informed treatment decisions.
The views and opinions expressed in this interview do not necessarily reflect those of The Patient Story.
Hi, I’m Jannette
I was diagnosed with two different types of cancer. The first cancer I was diagnosed with was thyroid cancer in 2010 and then I was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in 2014.
Never think that you can’t get cancer because you can. If you ever feel like something is wrong, please get checked out.
My symptoms got consistent over time
It usually started off with a sore throat. Then I noticed as time went on, the sore throats kept getting worse and worse. I would go to the ER each time and they would tell me I have strep throat, which I got a couple of times back to back. Then I noticed I started having an issue with swallowing and some swelling. That’s when I figured something was wrong, so I consulted my primary care doctor, who referred me to the ear, nose, and throat doctor (otolaryngologist). The doctor did some tests and we found out I had thyroid cancer.
The moment everything changed
I was shocked because I never would have thought that I would be told that I have cancer. I never thought that it could never happen to me because it can, but I was surprised because I have never had symptoms of cancer.
My thyroid cancer treatment plan
I did two rounds of chemotherapy. I had to quarantine. I couldn’t be around family and friends for a while, so that in itself was a whole new experience.
The side effects I experienced from that included feeling a little funny, like I was weak a little bit, but I don’t know if that was from the radiation. I kept feeling tired and a little bit down on energy. But after a while, I was okay. Once the radiation was done, I felt better.
I also ended up having two separate surgeries to have my thyroid removed. I’m not sure about the proper name for it, but they made an incision and started with the right side first and removed that side. They found large nodules or tumors. Then they waited a little while and did the left side. They had to put in a drain, which I had to wear. It was very painful. I couldn’t eat for a while.
I was diagnosed with a separate cancer
Fast forward to 2014, after the whole experience with thyroid cancer, I started to feel better again. I started gaining my energy back. Then seemingly out of nowhere, different symptoms started coming up. I started feeling tired all the time. Then I remember a couple of times, I started feeling nauseous and wanting to vomit. The nausea lasted for a little while. Then I started having days when I would vomit.
When I went to the bathroom to have a bowel movement, I noticed blood a couple of times when I would wipe. I told my doctor and she referred me to an oncologist. I said, “Isn’t that a cancer doctor?” She said, “Yes, based on the history of cancer in your family.” My grandma, who is my dad’s mom, and then an aunt, who is one of my dad’s sisters had breast cancer and they both passed away, sadly.
She scheduled an appointment and when I saw the oncologist, they got a sample of my bone marrow and did some blood work. We found out that I had leukemia.
That one was a little more difficult. I broke down and cried because for some reason, and I don’t know why, I felt like that one was a little more serious. I was very upset, especially since I had already gone through cancer once and now I had to go through it all over again.
I now take daily chemo
The doctor wanted to see me twice a month, so I was guessing it was pretty bad. He ordered a medicine right away for me to start. The first medication I was on was chemotherapy in the form of a pill, but I was having issues with that. Because of my thyroid, I can’t swallow pills, so I had to empty the pill into applesauce. I had to take it three times a day, so that was a lot to manage.
After a while, he switched me to a different one, which is what I’m currently on. It’s a lot easier to manage because I only take it once a day and it’s a little smaller. Sometimes I feel a little nauseated here and there, but I like it better because I don’t have to try to remember to take it up to three times a day. It’s a lot easier to manage. I’m not sure why my doctor didn’t want me to have chemo intravenously.
I’m being monitored. I still have to take the medication. He said that right now, he doesn’t feel like I should stop. I’m doing great. My cancer is in remission. I see him every six months, so I’m doing pretty good at this point.
I’ve had to face many challenges in my lifetime
Cancer in itself is a challenge, but the worst part was having it a second time because I had been through it before. I also have a disability. When I was a child, I was in a tragic, traumatic accident, so I’m also an amputee. I lost my left arm and leg. I was hit by a train and dragged 75 feet down the tracks. It happened in 1992. I lost my left arm below the elbow and my left leg below the knee. It’s hard, especially when you have a chronic or terminal illness and then you have a disability to deal with.
Accepting my new reality has been difficult
Even though I’m in remission, the doctor’s confirmed that I’m going to have to be on medication for the rest of my life. I also have the fear of what if. What if it comes back? There’s a part of me that I’ll never get back because of my childhood accident. I lost my arm and leg. I had to go through a lot with that experience. I had to go through occupational therapy to relearn how to do the simplest things, like eat with a fork, hold a spoon, and get dressed.
My advice to others
If you are ever diagnosed with cancer or any disease, whether it’s chronic or terminal, my advice is not to give up. I know it may be hard. There are days when you may get tired of going through this, but don’t give up.
If you feel it get to the point where it’s too much and it’s overwhelming, contact someone and get help. Contact your hospital social worker and tell them you need to talk to someone. They have resources. Maybe you need to talk to a counselor. Don’t sit in silence because if you do, that can most times lead you into a dark place. When I first found out, I was in a very dark place and I shut myself off from people. I didn’t want to talk or be around anybody. Please don’t let it get to that point.
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Jannette J., Thyroid Cancer & Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Symptoms: (thyroid cancer) recurring sore throat, worsening throat pain, difficulty swallowing, swelling in the neck; (chronic myeloid leukemia) fatigue, nausea, vomiting, blood with bowel movements
Treatments: Surgery (thyroidectomy), radiation, chemotherapy