Decades of Unanswered Symptoms Finally Lead to Michelle’s Stage 1 Papillary Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis
Diagnosed with stage 1 papillary thyroid cancer at 39, Michelle had already spent decades dealing with unexplained health problems: mood swings, extreme weight changes, painful periods, digestive issues, anxiety, and crushing fatigue. For years, she was dismissed, being told that they were all in her head or to diet and exercise more. In reality, her body had been sending warning signs that no one connected to her thyroid.
Interviewed by: Taylor Scheib
Edited by: Katrina Villareal
When a lump in her clavicle appeared, Michelle pushed for answers despite being told it was “nothing.” She finally insisted on an ultrasound, which led to a biopsy and the diagnosis. What followed was a crash course in papillary thyroid cancer, a disease she didn’t even know existed.
Surgery was urgent, but Michelle refused the first surgeon who wouldn’t prioritize preserving her voice. Instead, she found a skilled doctor who discovered that the tumor had wrapped around her vocal cords and carotid artery. Choosing to go with that doctor likely saved her voice and, possibly, her life.
Treatment didn’t end there: Michelle had another surgery, radioactive iodine therapy, lymph node removals, countless scans, and eventually ethanol ablation for a new tumor. Alongside the physical toll came the emotional one. Michelle was told papillary thyroid cancer was the “good cancer” and was also discouraged from even calling herself a cancer patient. Without support groups or resources, she felt silenced, on top of dealing with chronic tall cell cancer, which still lives in her neck and requires constant monitoring.
Michelle’s advocacy now is rooted in what she wishes she’d known: “Check your neck.” She urges anyone, especially women with unexplained hormonal, menstrual, or weight issues, to demand a full thyroid panel. If a doctor won’t listen, find one who will. She knows firsthand how exhausting it can be to keep pushing, but she’s living proof that persistence matters.
Michelle also speaks openly about the mental health impact of cancer — how fear can linger long after treatment, how years of being dismissed or not taken seriously by doctors can affect your sense of self, and how finding the right balance between wellness and joy is key. She’s reclaimed her body, her career, and her voice, both literally and figuratively. And she’s determined to make sure other thyroid cancer patients are recognized, respected, and heard.
Watch Michelle’s video to find out more about her story:
- The lump everyone dismissed and why she kept pushing for answers.
- What papillary thyroid cancer really feels like to live with.
- The comment that made her walk out of a surgeon’s office.
- How years of unexplained symptoms finally made sense.
- Why self-advocacy is the reason she still has her voice.
- Name: Michelle L.
- Age at Diagnosis:
- 39
- Diagnosis:
- Papillary Thyroid Cancer
- Staging:
- Stage 1
- Symptoms:
- Hormonal imbalances beginning around age 10
- Severe mood swings and depression
- Unexplained weight gain and weight loss, no control over fluctuations
- Chronic digestive issues: constipation, bloating, distended stomach, general digestive discomfort
- Frequent illness and weakened immune system
- Painful and irregular periods
- Anxiety and insomnia
- Persistent fatigue and low energy
- Noticeable lump in the neck, initially dismissed as swollen gland
- Difficulty singing
- Shortness of breath from minimal exertion
- Physical weakness
- Pain radiating down the arm
- Loss or change of voice
- Hormonal imbalance symptoms intensifying before diagnosis
- Treatments:
- Surgeries: lymphadenectomy, total thyroidectomy, partial right neck dissection
- Radioactive iodine therapy
- Ethanol ablation
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.
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Symptoms: Hormone imbalances, mood swings, depression & anxiety, unexplained weight changes, chronic digestive issues, weakened immune system, painful/irregular periods, insomnia, fatigue and low energy, lump in the neck, difficulty singing/voice changes, shortness of breath, physical weakness, arm pain
Treatments: Surgeries (lymphadenectomy, total thyroidectomy, partial right neck dissection), radioactive iodine therapy, ethanol ablation
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