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I¡¯ve been living with papillary thyroid cancer since 2012. If it weren¡¯t for MD Anderson, I might not be able to say that. Because when I was first diagnosed, doctors near my home in Dallas suggested hospice.

I was only 17 at the time and had just started treatment, so I wasn¡¯t ready to give up. That¡¯s why I went to MD Anderson. And not only has it given me the past eight years of my life back; it¡¯s also given me a future.

Choosing MD Anderson for my thyroid cancer treatment

My initial appointment at MD Anderson was in April 2013. There, I met with endocrine specialist . The first thing she recommended was a radioactive iodine pill to kill any residual thyroid tissue I might have. Doctors in Dallas had surgically removed that gland as a part of my treatment there, but some stray cells could still have been left behind. After that, I took two targeted therapy drugs called lenvatinib and sorafenib.

All of those treatments had at least some positive effect. But by the time I was diagnosed, the thyroid cancer had already spread to my lungs. Even with treatment, it never really went away. That¡¯s why Dr. Ying recommended a Phase I/II clinical trial under . He was testing a new targeted therapy drug called pralsetinib, which has shown very promising results in patients with thyroid and lung cancers.

Why I joined a clinical trial

I¡¯ve always been kind of interested in medicine, so I understood what was being asked of me when I was told I qualified to join the clinical trial. I wasn¡¯t really scared, just a little nervous. But I think it¡¯s amazing to be able to help other people by participating, so I jumped at the offer.

I figured there was a 50/50 chance it would work, so why not? It¡¯s my life. And I feel like if you have a chance to make things better, you should go for it.

How the clinical trial affected me

I joined the clinical trial in March 2018. And after receiving my first dose of the targeted therapy drug, I started feeling better right away. My energy levels improved, too. The only side effect I¡¯ve had so far from any of my treatments is high blood pressure. I take another medication to control it. But as someone who was born with spina bifida, I¡¯ve had to take medications all my life, so that doesn¡¯t bother me.

I still have some small spots of cancer on my lungs, but I no longer need an oxygen mask to help me breathe, and much of the disease has disappeared. The little that remains is pretty stable, so unless the pralsetinib stops working, I¡¯ll keep taking it daily.

Why I¡¯m grateful to MD Anderson

Today, I am super grateful to MD Anderson ¡ª and not just for stabilizing my cancer. The $1,200 scholarship I received through its Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Program in 2019 is also helping me realize my college dreams.

Having MD Anderson¡¯s support in all of these different areas means so much. It shows how much its leaders care and want what¡¯s best for me and other patients ¡ª not only when it comes to our health, but also in regard to our future.

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