Worsened by Misdiagnosis: Papillary Thyroid Cancer
2021 Update
It's October 27, 2021, when we heard about the good news that will make us proud.
It was the result of the Forestry Board Exam.
He is in the top 10.
We are very grateful to the people who helped him achieve this triumph.
An Update
It’s been a year since I posted this article for my friend who is battling cancer. I haven’t given an update ever since because I waited for this time. The time that we (our barkada) gather together.
Thank God my fear that he will lose his voice is gone because his voice is still audible. It is not the same as before, but I am very glad we can still hear him without using any tool. Hopefully, he will fully recover.
He is not yet cancer-free, so we keep on praying for his healing and maybe one day, we can say that he is a cancer survivor. His determination has brought him this far. He is currently pursuing his studies in forestry and enthusiastically living with a purpose. Your help (Presidential Action Center, Presidential Complaint Center, legislatures who drafted/singed into law the National Integrated Cancer Control Act, and more) has brought him this far. Thank you very much for not letting go. Let’s fight together against cancer and misdiagnosis.
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| Medical Abstract |
How did his battle with cancer start?
He was working as a Call Center Agent at a BPO company in Manila when he observed something weird in his throat and voice. He consulted a doctor and was diagnosed with Cervical Lymphadenopathy but was advised to visit other specialists for further tests.
His working environment worsened his condition so he decided to go home to Butuan City, Agusan del Norte. He consulted another doctor for a second opinion and the result of his x-ray was normal.
He thought there was nothing to worry about so he continued living normally. Then he observed gradual changes in his throat as the years went by.
It was in April 2018 when he first found it hard to breathe. He then went to a doctor, did another x-ray and the result was still normal based on the findings.
How it was discovered?
It was when he barely breathe that his father decided to bring him to a bigger hospital equipped with better technologies at Cagayan de Oro City. It was December 6, 2018, when they did a biopsy and ultrasound. The result was released after 2 hours of waiting and he was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Cancer. They were advised to undergo an operation immediately but he was admitted on December 9, 2018, due to lack of funds.
How it was handled?
He underwent 13 hours of operation (Thyroidectomy/Laryngectomy) which lasts for only 4-6 hours in ordinary cases according to the doctor. He lost his voice (and may never retrieve it) after that operation.
On Christmas day and New Year, most people celebrate by eating delicious foods with family which they used to do before he was afflicted by cancer. All he can have was milk through a nasogastric tube.
His battle did not end there. He went through Radioactive Iodine Therapy in February 2019 and other sessions will be done to kill all the cancer cells. Another operation is needed too as part of his healing process.
If only it was discovered earlier, he would've saved his voice and the damages would not be that big.
Research on misdiagnosis
"Various research studies reveal that an estimated 12 million Americans are affected each year by diagnostic errors, with one in three errors leading to serious patient injuries, including disability or death." as stated in Johns Hopkins Medicine article. In the Philippines Statistics Authority's record, more than 160,000 (29%) deaths were under "Other cause of death" out of 582, 183 death in 2016, and 59.2% (352, 705) of deaths were unattended. A different study recorded a 97.8% prevalence of medication errors in the Pediatric and Medicine departments at Philippine General Hospital (PGH) based on a blog post by Dr. Stuart.
Another story of misdiagnosis
My aunt became a victim of misdiagnosis in a private hospital also in Butuan City. The doctor said it was just ordinary flu that became complicated because of her diabetes. Later, they found out it was dengue that caused her fever and her platelet count to fall drastically. She needed a blood transfusion as soon as possible so everyone in the family with the same blood type as hers rushed to the hospital to donate blood. Unfortunately, she just lived for a few days and died. The doctor said the complications were severe and they cannot do anything about it.
Sometimes I just can't stop thinking about the probability that they are just being complacent with their patients who cannot pay them well. An article in BusinessWorld proved this claim. Most doctors in the Philippines are working for profit rather than providing quality service to their patients for them to heal and live longer. That fact saddened me.
How many people will continue to suffer from the consequences of misdiagnosis and other medical errors of those doctors who care more about profits than on their patients?
My aunt died and my friend lost his voice because of their doctor's mistake. It's depressing to think that I may never hear my friend's beautiful voice again; we may not be able to share laughter like we used to have.
Fortunately, some devices can help him speak again like an electrolarynx and voice prosthesis device. The bad side is, they are too expensive. His food and medication alone are costly for simple individuals like us. As his friend, I want to help him fully recover, but I am not financially rich. All I have is my talent in writing which I hope can reach those kind-hearted individuals who have money to spare for charity (sadaqah).
Don't let this happen to you or your loved ones. Help in spreading awareness on misdiagnosis this head and neck cancer awareness month.
