Sarah Longo

Several weeks ago my Mom was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid cancer. My Mom has a history of heart disease ... AFIB and Congestive Heart Failure, despite these conditions, she had no choice either the cancer would consume her airway. Or take the shot and have surgery,.
The past several weeks we have been taking care of her 24/7, because she was weak and not able to swallow because of the tumors. Her right vocal chord is totally paralyzed and she now speaks with a low sexy raspy voice. Good thing smoothies and Frappachinos are the rage because she has enjoyed these thick liquids. Thin liquids cause her to aspirate.  We have been lucky she did not get a pneumonia.  She a tough cookie.


On June 11, 2018 she had surgery at Lahey Hospital to save her life. After a 7.5 hour surgery, my Mom came out doing well.  She was put in the Surgical Intensive care Unit. She is currently on a ventilator assisting her with breathing.
The neck is a small area and surgeons had to move her windpipe around to get the tumors out.  She has lots of swelling in the neck and facial area. At 89 years old she is a trooper and has amazed the Doctors.
Unfortunately, this is not the end of the cancer, She has cancer cells that are in her shoulder and back heading down her spine. Endocrinology will follow up with her and mentioned there is a radioactive pill she can swallow and it may be able to attack the other cells providing that the PapillaryThyroid cancer is the root of the cancer.
She will remain in SCIU for a few days or until the Doctors can take out the ventilator and she can breathe on her own.
They have started her on her regular meds plus trying to keep her blood pressure up, she runs extremely low.
We will update this page as we get the information each day.