The 30 Stories Podcast

Erin’s Story: Finding Calm During Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis & Recovery

Erin’s story begins with a small but unsettling observation: a lump in her neck that she initially tried to explain away. After seeing a video about checking the thyroid, she realized what she noticed might be worth taking seriously. What followed was a period of uncertainty, urgent care visits, imaging, a biopsy and eventually surgery, all while she tried to manage the anxiety of not knowing what would come next. One of the most compelling parts of Erin’s experience is how clearly she describes the emotional weight of waiting. She shares that each step brought more information, but not always immediate answers. Over time, having a plan and a reassuring care team helped her feel more grounded, even as she continued to navigate follow-up care and the possibility of future treatment. Erin also reflects on the small, practical ways she got through the hardest moments. She found comfort in talking with family and friends, staying busy, cooking, doing puzzles and stepping away from too much online research when it became overwhelming. Her story offers a warm, honest look at what it can feel like to be early in the cancer journey, still processing what happened while learning how to move forward.

Patricia's Story: How Creativity Helps People Heal Through Cancer

Patricia shares how her own cancer diagnosis in her early 30s changed the way she understood healing, fear and the need for support. Diagnosed with uterine cancer at a young age, she remembers feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty, including questions about fertility, relationships and her future. In the absence of formal support groups, she turned to what felt natural to her: writing, doodling, breathwork, visualization and creative reflection. That personal practice eventually grew into Create to Heal, the core program of the Women’s Wings Foundation. Through her work with cancer patients, caregivers and health care providers, Patricia has seen how creative expression can help people process emotions, communicate their needs, connect with others and recognize their own strength. She describes creativity not as a “nice to have,” but as a meaningful tool that supports the emotional, spiritual and mental sides of healing. Throughout the conversation, Patricia reflects on gratitude, humor, silence, faith, community and the small moments that help people keep moving forward. She shares stories of patients who used creativity to find joy, make meaning and leave something behind for others. The episode closes with a simple breathing and writing exercise, offering listeners a practical way to quiet their minds, notice what rises to the surface and begin turning emotion into expression.

Steven’s Story: Finding Strength After Medullary Thyroid Cancer

Steven’s story begins with a chance conversation that changed the course of his health. After reconnecting with a friend who survived a sudden cardiac arrest, Steven decided to schedule routine cardiology tests. His heart checked out well, but the exam revealed an incidental thyroid nodule. What seemed like a small, low-risk finding eventually led to a diagnosis of medullary thyroid cancer, setting off a period of uncertainty, scans, surgery and emotional shock. Throughout the conversation, Steven reflects honestly on what it means to live with cancer as part of his daily reality. He describes the weight of hearing the word “cancer,” the difficulty of waiting for answers and the challenge of explaining such a personal experience to the people closest to him. He also shares how yoga, breathwork, walking with his dog and focusing on the present moment helped him build physical and emotional resilience after surgery. One of the most meaningful threads in Steven’s story is his commitment to self-advocacy. He encourages others to stay focused on their own case, avoid spiraling through online comparisons and lean on trusted medical professionals. His message is grounded in gratitude, not because the experience was easy, but because it gave him a deeper appreciation for early detection, family support and the importance of taking an active role in one’s own health.

Mahadi’s Story: Patient Voices & the Future of Head and Neck Cancer Care

In this episode, I spoke with Dr. Mahadi Baig, a medical oncologist and oncology leader whose work focuses on advancing research for people with recurrent and metastatic head and neck cancer. Mahadi reflected on how growing up in India shaped his understanding of cancer, access to care and the devastating impact of disease when patients do not have the support or treatment options they need. His early experiences gave him a clear sense of purpose that continues to guide his work today. Mahadi also describes how head and neck cancer can be especially challenging for patients and caregivers. Because these cancers can affect speaking, swallowing, breathing, eating and appearance, the physical and emotional toll can be significant. He discusses the promise of more personalized treatment, the importance of understanding tumor biology and the need to bring scientific advances to patients in ways that are practical, timely and centered on what matters most to them. Throughout the conversation, Mahadi returns to the power of patient voices. He shares why listening to patients and caregivers helps researchers, clinicians and advocacy organizations better understand the real-life impact of cancer, beyond the science. His message to patients is clear and reassuring: take things one step at a time, ask questions, lean on your care team and remember that you are the expert on your own experience.

Yesenia’s Story: If Something Feels Wrong, Keep Pushing for Answers

When Symptoms Are Dismissed as Anxiety Yesenia shares how her thyroid cancer journey began with symptoms that felt alarming but were repeatedly dismissed as anxiety. She describes hair loss, air hunger, mood changes, irregular periods, hot flashes and extreme fatigue, yet says multiple providers told her she was young, healthy and simply stressed. After seeking support through online thyroid communities, she learned about thyroid ultrasounds, pushed for one and eventually discovered thyroid nodules that led to surgery and a cancer diagnosis. The Toll of Not Being Believed A major theme in the conversation is the emotional toll of not being believed. Yesenia explains that her diagnosis, radioactive iodine treatment, isolation from her young son and long-term health issues left her feeling angry, overwhelmed and underprepared. She speaks candidly about the lasting physical and mental effects of treatment, including difficulty adjusting after thyroid removal, dental problems, fatigue, inflammation, brain fog and the ongoing frustration of having had to navigate much of the process on her own. Listen to Your Body & Keep Asking Questions Yesenia’s central message is the importance of self-advocacy, community and being taken seriously. She credits her mother, her son, her faith and thyroid cancer support groups with helping her through the hardest periods. She also pushes back against the phrase “good cancer,” explaining that thyroid cancer can still carry serious, lasting consequences. Her advice to others is to listen to their bodies, seek multiple opinions when something feels wrong and find people who understand what they are going through.