A mother persisted for a decade to seek answers for concerning symptoms that were repeatedly dismissed as “anxiety” by doctors. Tameika McBride had been grappling with symptoms since 2015, but medical professionals reassured her that everything was normal, as her blood tests consistently returned clear results.
Despite her intuition that something was amiss, it wasn’t until she discovered a significant swelling in her neck a few weeks after giving birth to her son that she demanded further investigation. Following initial assurances that it was likely harmless, an ultrasound revealed the harsh reality: she had cancer.
Expressing her devastation, the 30-year-old homemaker shared, “With two young children, aged four and two, I went into panic mode. It was traumatising – I was having a meltdown and couldn’t stop crying.” Despite regularly consulting her doctor about symptoms, she was repeatedly told it was anxiety, given her supposedly normal blood work results. She had come to accept her feelings as normal as they did not incapacitate her, and she generally felt content.
During her pregnancy in 2019, Tameika was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid, which was attributed to her pregnancy, and she received medication for it. Upon discontinuing the medication, she experienced weight gain and a swollen appearance, yet once again, she was reassured that her blood work was fine.
In August 2023, noticing a visible enlargement of her thyroid shortly after childbirth, she sought medical attention. Despite initial concerns of postpartum thyroiditis, subsequent scans yielded inconclusive results, leading to a lack of follow-up. With the swelling eventually subsiding, Tameika, consumed by the demands of motherhood, chose to overlook the issue.
However, in November 2024, upon discovering a swollen lymph node in her neck, she revisited her doctor after being initially reassured that it was harmless. Following an ultrasound, she was informed the next day that she had cancer, marking a long-awaited but devastating revelation.
Subsequent CT scans and a biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of thyroid cancer, prompting Tameika to undergo a thyroidectomy and a left modified radical neck dissection in April. The removal of 34 lymph nodes revealed that 12 were cancerous, delivering yet another blow to her and her family.
Further complications arose when doctors diagnosed Tameika with Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder targeting the thyroid gland, alongside a rare and aggressive form of cancer that had spread extensively beyond initial expectations, categorizing her as high-risk and intensifying the family’s anxiety.
In June, Tameika underwent radioactive iodine treatment to eradicate thyroid cells, necessitating a 24-hour hospital isolation period away from her family. Battling fatigue and uncertainty post-surgery, while striving to maintain strength for her children, she described the experience as the most challenging phase of her life, expressing deep gratitude for the support received.
Following surgery, scans revealed two remaining cancerous lymph nodes, prompting ongoing treatment with radioactive iodine to target them. Additionally, she is undergoing high-dose Vitamin C infusions on recommendation from an integrative medicine specialist.
Undeniably grateful for the assistance she has received, Tameika acknowledged the immense impact of kindness and generosity, enabling her to undergo vital treatments. Her fundraising page can be accessed for those wishing to support her cause.