For about two to three years I had a lump on the right side of my neck. It was kind of small, did not hurt or bother me, so I did not think anything of it. I had talked to my doctor about it and she said it was probably nothing to worry about, she was certain it was a swollen lymph node associated with allergies. I periodically experienced moments of hoarseness and soreness in my throat for which I usually got antibiotics. A thyroid sonogram and a radio uptake and scan were performed within a three-week span. The tests determined I had cold nodules on my lymph nodes (I later learned that meant cancer). The blood tests and scan determined my thyroid was functioning normally despite the nodules. My doctor sent for a biopsy twice, which could not be performed because of some missing paper work. I got fed up with the irresponsibility of my health care providers until 2009, when I received a new health insurance and began going to my sister’s primary care physician, Dr. Retsagi. He sent me to an ear, nose and throat doctor who did not take my insurance so I went with his colleague Dr. Lim instead. She immediately determined that the lump on my neck could be a swollen lymph node or, a “small” cancer. There was no doubt in my mind she must be crazy to think that I had cancer. But on March 24, 2009 the cytopathology report (samples of cells tested for cancer) revealed that my tests were positive for papillary carcinoma stage 1 (thyroid cancer).