Ashley’s Cancer Journey
Read Ashley’s incredible journey: from veterinary school to a benign thyroid mass and a cancer diagnosis all at the age of 27. She reminds us: health first!
Ashley Gillman // 30 Stories Campaign™ // Thyroid Cancer Awareness
I have always considered myself to be a relatively healthy person. I went to my annual wellness visits when necessary and received recommended vaccines. This is why I wasn’t too concerned when my doctor found a thyroid mass during a routine wellness visit prior to attending veterinary school in 2016. I got a needle aspirate shortly after and results came back benign—no cancer. Phew. I did fully plan on having the mass surgically removed eventually (it was quite large and noticeable), but I put these plans on hold to focus on my career.
Fast forward three years later when I developed a fever of unknown origin while in my clinical rotations. The mass had enlarged and it was becoming difficult to swallow. A scan and a needle aspiration showed that my thyroid mass had suddenly hemorrhaged, likely causing significant systemic inflammation.
…anything I would have done differently… prioritize my health, because you truly never know what will happen.
A course of antibiotics and steroids calmed things down and I continued on my way to finishing my education and obtaining my doctorate. That’s when COVID hit, making it more difficult to pursue elective surgery. Admittedly, I also pursued a rigorous internship program after graduation which redirected my focus back onto my career.
I am so grateful to have found an outstanding [care] team who inspired confidence at my very first consultation.
In June of 2021, I finally made the move to have my thyroid mass surgically removed. Two weeks later, my life changed forever. I received the diagnosis of follicular cell carcinoma of the thyroid gland at 27 years old. Being a medical professional can be a blessing and a curse during times like this. I find myself knowing and seeing too much to ever be fully confident in my prognosis.
…I am hopeful that by sharing my experiences I can help others who fight alongside me.
I was referred to my wonderful care team for next steps. With them I had a completion surgery for total thyroidectomy and partial lymph node resection in October of 2021. The biopsies showed that the cancer had spread into several of the local lymph nodes. A few months later, I underwent radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy with a goal of treating microscopic disease.
Since then, I am very grateful to be able to say that my blood work, scans, ultrasounds and MRI’s have been clear. I wear my large scar proudly (scar cream didn’t stand a chance). If there is anything I would have done differently it would have been to prioritize my health, because you truly never know what will happen. I am so grateful to have found an outstanding surgical and medical team who inspired confidence at my very first consult. My journey with cancer is long from over, so I am hopeful that by sharing my experiences I can help others who fight alongside me.
Interested in Sharing Your Cancer Journey?
For someone recently diagnosed with cancer, reading the stories of other caregivers and survivors can inspire.
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