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Hello All-

I wanted to touch base with those of you that have already heard and pass on the news to those that have not. Emily has been diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer. I am guessing this started a month or so ago when she went in for a visit with her OBGYN. He noticed she had an abnormal lump on her neck and asked if she had been sick. She replied no. He then asked if she had allergy symptoms. She replied somewhat. He advised her to watch it closely and if it did not go away to consult her physician. It did not go away so she went to visit her physician. He put her on some antibiotics and said to watch it closely. If it did not go away by the end of allergy season and with the antibiotics he wanted to see her again. It did not go away. She then had an ultra sound done at which they found a lump and took samples. I understand that this was done on Monday Sept 10th. On Tuesday she received a call requesting she come in. The test results tested positive. The Doctor has given many encouraging words. He stated that of the 4 different kinds of this particular cancer this was the one to have. Better survival rates and easier to nip in the bud. He mentioned that this cancer is typically caused from heavy radiation exposure like living near a radiation plant or hereditary. Emily had a cousin that actually passed away some years ago from another type of thyroid cancer.

As many of you may know Emily has had a very challenging 5 years of her life and this is just another challenge I know her strong heart and soul can tackle. She goes in this Friday Sept 14th for surgery. My understanding is that it will take about 3 hours. They are taking great precautions to stay clear of her beautiful vocal chords, but most of all to heal our sweet friend. After surgery she will receive an Iodine radiation treatment. I understand this is just one treatment only. This treatment will mark any other spots that the cancer may have gotten to.

Her mother will be calling to give an update tomorrow and Friday after the surgery. Emily is very tired and has asked to please let her have this time to herself. She will notify us when she is ready to face the world.

Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers!

I have included some information below for those of you interested in learning more.

Love you all- Holly
Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Treatment :
Surgery to remove the thyroid (total thyroidectomy). This may be followed by hormone therapy and radioactive iodine.
Thyroid Cancer - Stage Explanation
Stages of thyroid cancer
Once thyroid cancer is found (diagnosed), more tests will be done to find out if cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. This is called staging. A doctor needs to know the stage of the disease to plan treatment.
Papillary and follicular thyroid cancer
The following stages are used for papillary and follicular thyroid cancer:
STAGE I
o In patients younger than 45 years, cancer may have spread within the neck or upper chest and/or to nearby lymph nodes but not to other parts of the body.
o In patients aged 45 years and older, the tumor is 2 centimeters (about ¾ inch) or smaller and in the thyroid only.
STAGE II
o In patients younger than 45 years, the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the lung or bone, and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes.
o In patients aged 45 years and older, the tumor is larger than 2 centimeters but not larger than 4 centimeters (between ¾ and 1½ inches) in the thyroid only.
STAGE III
The cancer is found in patients aged 45 years or older. The tumor either:
o is larger than 4 centimeters; or
o may be any size and has spread just outside the thyroid and/or to lymph nodes in the neck.
http://www.webmd.com/cancer/tc/Thyroid-cancer-Treatment-Patient-Information-NCI-PDQ-Stage-Explanation