When I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, it felt like a whirlwind. Through my course of lab tests and doctor’s appointments, I received an information overload, not all of which I could fully grasp at the time while I was sitting in the clinic chair. That’s why I was so pleased to join the Thyroid Care Collaborative (TCC) program.
The TCC website has a video library specifically designed to help patients understand their diagnosis and treatment plan. Instead of searching through internet blogs and scaring myself, I had access to certified medical advice from my doctor about what kinds of tests, surgeries, and additional therapies I was about to experience. The videos were reassuring and made an immense difference in my perspective and outlook regarding my thyroid cancer diagnosis.
It’s often said that we fear the unknown. With the TCC, my fears were eliminated
My friends and family know that I am the kind of person who likes to know what they’re getting into. Prior to watching the videos, I didn’t have any solid idea of what I was getting into. It’s often said that we fear the unknown. With the TCC, my fears were eliminated. I gained a better understanding and a sense of clarity regarding my diagnosis, upcoming surgical procedure, and the reasons for recommended follow-up treatments such as radioactive iodine therapy. It answered all my questions and I even began to feel like I was one of the doctors!
With the TCC Video Library, I felt safe, secure, and knowledgeable about my treatment plan. I know that other patients have benefited from this website too. You can let the doctors do their work with the satisfaction of knowing how and why they are recommending each test and procedure. My advice to newly diagnosed thyroid cancer patients would be to sit down at home alongside your loved ones, and go through each step eliminating the unknowns. In addition to a trusted and dedicated team of doctors, the TCC was a godsend!
30 Stories in 30 Days
September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month. For the next 4 weeks, we will post stories written by thyroid cancer survivors, caregivers and friends for our 30 Stories in 30 Days campaign. We hope their perspectives and insight will help others along their journey.
