Two-time Cancer Survivor: Jennifer Grant

Beating cancer not once, but twice

At the young age of 15, Jennifer Grant, was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. As part of the recommended treatment, she received radioactive iodine therapy, which caused severe side effects.

After completing two rounds of radioactive iodine therapy, she began annual checkup visits at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

“I’ve been coming to MD Anderson since I was 16 for my annual thyroid exam,” Jennifer said.

In September 2017, she noticed a bump under her right ear and quickly scheduled a visit with her doctor. After a biopsy and ultrasound, doctors discovered a cyst. Her doctors decided they would monitor the cyst and asked Jennifer to notify them if she felt the cyst changing in size.

“I felt so relieved because usually any changes in my neck were a bad sign,” Jennifer explained.

 A new battle — secondary primary carcinoma

Then in February 2018, she returned for her annual thyroid checkup. To the surprise of Jennifer, her cyst had grown so it required another biopsy and ultrasound. Unfortunately, doctors informed Jennifer that the results revealed a secondary primary carcinoma.

“I was shocked and overwhelmed because this led to a new battle,” Jennifer said. “Which I didn’t have the game plan for like I had for papillary thyroid cancer.”

The new cancer was a type of head and neck cancer called mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland. After her tumor removal surgery, her team of MD Anderson doctors explained the different treatment options including conventional radiation. After a bad experience with radioactive iodine, she didn’t feel her body could tolerate radiation again.

“I was in this position because of a previous radiation treatment so why would I do that to my body again?” Jennifer asked herself.

It seemed like an impossible question to answer. Then, she was introduced to proton therapy.

“I didn’t miss out on life”
 

At the MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center, doctors can precisely target head and neck tumors with protons while sparing the healthy surrounding tissue and organs such as the brain, eyes and mouth.

Treatments for Jennifer were easy allowing her to continue exercising, caring for her children, and even driving herself to treatment.

“I kept going to swim meets on Saturdays with my kids in the Houston summer heat after a full week of treatment. I didn’t miss out on life,” Jennifer shared. 

“Everyday is normal now”  

She completed a total of 30 proton therapy treatments in July 2018. Three months after her last proton therapy treatment, she celebrated her 10-year wedding anniversary by taking a 10-day trip to Rome, Paris and Venice.  

“I felt so grateful that I was able to live my life to the fullest without having to hold back due to my cancer diagnosis,” Jennifer explained.  Today, the 33-year-old mother is busy caring for her children ages 8, 6 and 4. 

“My life now after proton therapy is back to normal. Everyday is normal now. I don’t have any side effects,” Jennifer shared.