As a child, EJ Beck was treated for a rare form of pediatric thyroid cancer at NYU Langone Health. Nearly 10 years after the test that proved she was cancer-free, Beck was accepted to her first choice of medical school, New York University Grossman School of Medicine. Her transformation from pediatric patient to aspiring doctor reflects the impact NYU Langone has had on shaping future clinicians, and one woman’s decision to attend to honor those who saved her life. You can get a glimpse of our mission.
Thyroid cancer’s sneaky beginnings
Beck’s parents were meticulous about her treatment, but it was during a chance visit to a dermatologist that doctors noticed a lump protruding from the middle of Beck’s neck. The truth came out soon after. A rare and dangerous childhood thyroid tumor had taken up residence in her neck and was at risk of spreading.
“I was 10 years old,” Beck recalls. “Although I did not fully understand the weight of my diagnosis, I remember the kindness of everyone at NYU Langone who cared about me. They supported all of us, not just me, but my parents as well. It made me feel like I was being treated.”
Navigating Treatment: A Child’s Perspective on Cancer Treatment
“A pain-free neck should be examined sooner rather than later,” says Beck’s physician, Kepal N. Patel, M.D., currently chief of endocrine surgery and lead surgeon in the thyroid program at New York University Langone. say. “A large tumor in a small neck can pose an increased risk to surrounding structures and increase the risk of surgery. The tumor can affect the nerves in the vocal cords, affecting the voice, and can spread to the lymph nodes. We needed to address these concerns quickly.
Thyroid cancer is rare in childhood, and Beck’s case was so rare that it wasn’t even commonly seen in many clinics. That was a big responsibility. A large tumor had formed on his little neck, putting the child’s health and normal life at risk.
Dr. Patel performed a total thyroidectomy with neck dissection, surgery to remove the entire thyroid gland and surrounding affected lymph nodes. This saved Beck’s life and preserved his ability to speak. Although her voice may change after a thyroidectomy, her voice remained the same thanks to the team’s careful work to avoid damage to her vocal cords.
After surgery, Beck underwent radioactive iodine (RAI) treatment. RAI therapy is often used after thyroidectomy if the cancer has spread. It helps kill any remaining cancer cells and prevents recurrence.
“I’ve gotten really good at lying still under the scan,” Beck said. Even the short walk from the subway to the hospital felt incredibly long in the fatigue and exhaustion of the treatment.
Beck also had the additional responsibility of taking radiation precautions during treatment to protect her family, especially her baby sisters. Being around such radiation can be a risk factor for cancer in the future.
Her parents and grandparents worked as a team to protect Beck from the unnatural expectations of resilience often placed on sick children. But while other children were having the carefree moments of their lives, Bex was filled with anxiety. She said she still nervously checks her neck for lumps, even when she gets a harmless illness like a cold.
Determination to pursue medicine
After going into remission, Beck thought hospital life was something to forget. She realized this when she attended a graduation ceremony for high school students who were childhood cancer survivors. The fact that the medical oncologist who had been in charge of her for many years retired that year also helped. She suddenly found herself wanting more than anything to give back to the same field that had saved her life.
We (the patients) accomplished this amazing thing at such a young age. We are here and we can choose what the next stage of our lives is. The fact that I was graduating from being a cancer patient at the same time that a doctor who was very important to me was retiring solidified my next move. ”
EJ Beck, NYU Langone Health
When Beck received an email informing him that he had been accepted to New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine, even though he was off the waiting list, he was stunned. “It took quite a few minutes to process,” she laughs. “Before I called everyone I knew, I had to make sure it was legal. I couldn’t believe I was going to a prestigious institution with the guarantee that I would get out of here debt-free. It means a sacrifice for me and my friends.” All the people I meet here have to worry about is being the best doctors we can be. ”
Another wave of emotions washed over Beck as he entered the hospital to begin class. “It was the same entrance that I remembered from my childhood, and I was walking through that door as a whole new person. I saw other patients coming in right next to me. They knew what it was like to be in their shoes. ”
A mosaic of experiences: Shaping the future of healthcare
As Beck begins his medical education, he discovers that he is part of an incredibly diverse and talented group. She compares her classmates to Swiss Army knives. They not only bring knowledge and skills to their practice, but also a deep well of empathy born of personal experience to serve the patients who walk through their doors.
Beck now regularly walks the journey from the subway to the hospital, which she once found difficult as a patient, and each time she feels grateful that she has come this far. are. Her experience with cancer has taught her many things, including the precautions to take during radiation therapy and how to properly communicate to patients how important it is for clinicians to examine patients with an eye toward their overall health. It influenced a lot of the doctors I wanted to become. However, what she values most of all is recognizing the humanity of cancer patients and their families. Yes, because she wants to be a pediatric oncologist one day.
