Melbourne Mum’s Migraine Led to Shock Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis, Now She’s Urging Others to Get Checked
A seemingly ordinary migraine turned into a life-altering cancer diagnosis for Deborah Terkely, highlighting the importance of trusting your instincts and advocating for your health, even when initial tests appear normal. The Melbourne mother of two is now cancer-free and dedicated to raising awareness about the often-overlooked signs of thyroid cancer.
Deborah, now 42, had always prioritized her health. She exercised regularly, maintained a healthy diet, and consistently underwent health checks – a practice partly driven by a strong family history of thyroid disease. Both of her sisters live with underactive thyroid conditions, one with Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. As a result, Deborah proactively requested thyroid tests with every routine blood work panel. Remarkably, the results consistently came back normal.
So, when her life abruptly changed in late 2022, thyroid cancer was the furthest thing from her mind. “I’d always been healthy,” she recounts. “I’d never had problems with fatigue or puffiness like my sisters had. My blood tests were always fine. So I just never thought it would be me.” At the time, she was 39, running a natural skincare and soap business with her husband, and raising their two young sons in Narre Warren, a suburb of Melbourne. Life was busy, but good. She describes herself as social, active, and constantly on the go.
From Migraine to a Terrifying Diagnosis
Deborah’s life took an unexpected turn in 2022 when a series of debilitating migraines began. The initial migraine struck after a stressful family argument and was unlike anything she had ever experienced. The pain was so intense that she was largely confined to bed for days, barely able to eat or drink. When the migraine finally subsided, the pain didn’t completely disappear. Instead, it settled into a persistent headache accompanied by severe neck pain.
This was deeply unusual for Deborah. “I don’t get headaches,” she explains. “So when this just didn’t go away, I knew something wasn’t right.” Her long-term doctor initially attributed the symptoms to stress or age-related tension, prescribing strong painkillers and muscle relaxants. However, Deborah’s gut feeling told her something more serious was happening. The medication offered little relief. “I just had this sick feeling that something was wrong, and I couldn’t shake it.”
Trusting her intuition, she sought a second opinion and insisted on further testing. An MRI scan was ordered to investigate the headaches, and it revealed a startling discovery: a suspicious lump in her neck. While initially trying to remain calm, Deborah underwent a biopsy. The wait for the results was agonizing. “I was constantly on the phone asking if they had the answers yet,” she says. “I just needed to know.”
The call finally came during a family dinner, delivered by a doctor she had never met, as her usual GP was on leave. “He just said, ‘I’m sorry to tell you your biopsy has come back positive for cancer,’” Deborah recalls, her mind immediately racing to her children. “At that moment, I just thought, am I going to die? Am I going to be there for my kids?” Her sons were only eight and five years old at the time. “The first thing I said was, ‘What do I do now?’ I had no idea what happens next when someone tells you that.”
Surgery, Radiation, and a Long Road to Recovery
Within weeks, Deborah was preparing for major surgery. In January 2023, surgeons removed her entire thyroid along with lymph nodes from the left side of her neck. The pathology report revealed a grim reality: of the 70 nodes removed, 20 contained cancer cells, confirming the disease had already spread locally.
The thyroid, a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism, energy levels, and hormone balance. When thyroid function is disrupted, symptoms can include fatigue, weight changes, mood shifts, hair thinning, sensitivity to temperature, and changes in heart rate. Both underactive and overactive thyroid conditions are common, particularly among women.
The operation lasted over six hours, and recovery proved more challenging than anticipated. Deborah experienced lingering pain and limited movement for months, particularly in her left shoulder, which developed bursitis following the surgery. “Simple things were hard,” she says. “Even holding a knife and fork to eat hurt. Sleeping was uncomfortable. My mobility was really restricted.” Running her small manufacturing business became significantly more difficult, and she relied heavily on her husband while regaining her strength.
However, surgery was only the first step. Because the cancer had spread, Deborah also required radioactive iodine therapy to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. This treatment presented its own set of emotional hurdles. For safety reasons, she had to isolate herself from her children during and after the therapy while the radiation cleared from her system. Even after returning home, close contact was limited for approximately two weeks. “That was incredibly hard,” she says. “Mum was home, but they couldn’t cuddle me. They didn’t fully understand why.” The separation from her children was one of the most emotionally difficult aspects of the experience. “You just want to comfort your kids, and they want their mum. But you have to keep your distance.”
A New Outlook on Life
By mid-2023, Deborah received the news she had been desperately hoping for: she was clear of cancer. However, recovery remained slow and unpredictable. Even before surgery, Deborah had begun researching ways to support her body through treatment and recovery, focusing on immune support and inflammation.
She incorporated several supplements into her routine, including black seed oil (Nigella sativa), believed to support inflammation regulation and immune health; turkey tail mushroom extract, traditionally used to bolster immune function; and milk thistle, known for its liver-supporting properties. “There was a lot of research involved,” she says. “I didn’t want to waste time or money. I wanted things that were known to actually support the body, especially the immune system.” These supplements, ranging in price from $20 to $60 (approximately £10 to £30), were taken before surgery and continued throughout her recovery.
Alongside supplements, Deborah and her family business developed a natural skin serum to aid in healing her surgical scar. Witnessing the visible improvement in her neck scar provided an emotional boost during recovery. “It helped seeing something positive happening,” she says. “I could see my body healing.” Doctors were also impressed with the scar’s recovery, attributing it to both the topical care and her holistic approach to supporting her body.
Gradually, her strength and energy returned. About six to eight weeks after surgery, she reached a turning point. “It was slow, but I knew I was getting better,” she says. Today, Deborah feels well and has resumed exercising, working, and enjoying life with her family. However, the experience profoundly shifted her priorities. “Before, business was everything because we work for ourselves,” she says. “Now I make sure family time comes first. Sending emails at night can wait.”
Cancer remains a quiet presence in her thoughts. “It never fully leaves your mind,” she says. “You always wonder if it could come back. So you work on staying positive and taking care of yourself.”
Deborah is now passionate about raising awareness of thyroid cancer, which often goes undiagnosed. “Nobody talks about thyroid cancer,” she says. “I didn’t even know it existed until I was diagnosed.” According to national health estimates, over a million Australians may be living with undiagnosed thyroid conditions, with symptoms frequently mistaken for stress, aging, or lifestyle factors.
Deborah encourages individuals, especially women, to request thyroid testing if they experience persistent symptoms. “A blood test and an ultrasound are simple,” she says. “And they can tell you so much.” Looking back, she says the hardest moment was hearing the word cancer. “The shock and the fear. Not knowing if you’ll be okay or be there for your family. That was the worst part.” But today, gratitude outweighs fear. “I’m grateful for my health,” she says. “And that something positive came out of such a traumatic experience. Now I can support others going through similar things.” Most of all, she says, she’s grateful simply to be here – healthy, present, and watching her boys grow up.
