Yessica’s Story: From Terminal Diagnosis to a Complete Recovery
When surgeon Dr. Michael Scheuller first met Yessica in May 2023, her resilience in the face of Papillary Thyroid Cancer (PTC) left an indelible mark.
Despite undergoing prior surgeries and radiation therapy in Honduras, her cancer persisted relentlessly, threatening her life. “I couldn’t accept my diagnosis. My whole world collapsed,” Yessica said.
Local surgeons and physicians concluded that her cancer was inoperable and recommended that she see a radiation oncologist. An attempt at radiating the PTC was made, but the cancer continued to grow rapidly and aggressively. Her cancer had invaded critical structures like the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which controls the voice box, leading to significant hoarseness and aspiration symptoms. She was told that there was no more surgery, radiation therapy, medication, or chemotherapy that would treat her and that she should consider hospice care and prepare to die.
Yessica recalled, “That’s when I began to say goodbye to my family. I told them I had no cure and that I would die. That day, I locked myself in my room and cried to God, asking for strength.”
At just 31 years old, with two young children relying on her, the thought of leaving them behind was unimaginable. “Faith kept me standing. And my life changed when One World Surgery told me that there was an opportunity to have surgery.”
Yessica then met Dr. Scheuller on his first medical mission trip with One World Surgery. Along with Dr. Ramirez, they specialize in thyroid surgery and saw potential in Yessica’s case.
Dr. Scheuller shared, “I examined her neck and discussed the case with Dr. Ramirez, and we felt that we could potentially remove the macroscopic portions of the tumor and give her radioactive iodine therapy. Then if we managed to minimize the cancer down to something microscopic, then she could suppress future growth of the tumor with an increased dose of thyroid hormones. When we shared our plan with Yessica, she cried for a very long time because she had come to us as a last resort. When we told her that she wouldn’t die if we were able to successfully remove the cancer and suppress it, she agreed to proceed with the surgery.”
Over an entire day, the surgeons performed a radical neck dissection and a massive total thyroidectomy, removing Yessica’s thyroid gland and all the massive lymph node metastases in her neck. It was a complex and intense surgery, supported by their experienced team, including scrub tech Alexis Carlos, nurse Bree Smedley, and PA Katie Swenson.
Yessica did well post-surgery, and plans for her follow-up care were made. After completing the necessary radioactive iodine therapy with a referred oncologist, Yessica returned to One World Surgery and Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH) for ongoing thyroid treatment. Once the tumor was effectively suppressed, she felt one hundred percent better.
When Drs. Scheuller and Ramirez returned to Honduras for another medical mission, they scheduled a follow-up appointment with Yessica.
“It was an emotional reunion to see her. She was talking and swallowing normally despite the scars and nerve praxis that comes from such a large surgery. Her gratitude is infectious and makes all of us realize what an honor it is to serve others and be a part of NPH and One World Surgery.”
Reflecting on the impact of the surgery, Yessica shared, “I’m so grateful I get to see my children grow up. The scar from my surgery reminds me that I have new life, that I’m born again.”
Yessica’s recovery would not be possible without the steadfast dedication and compassion of our volunteers, staff, and supporters. Thanks to you and her medical team, another life has been saved. To learn more about our transformative work and how to get involved, click here.
