My grandma’s first thyroidectomy was performed by a surgeon who was deeply skilled and had a perfect surgical record after over thirty-five years. When he found out the cancer returned, he was furious—not out of arrogance, but out of conviction—and told us to find another doctor and hospital. His disappointment was heavy, driven by a sense of responsibility; he believed he had failed her because of systemic flaws and bureaucratic mishandling. I couldn’t let her feel guilty or think she had done something wrong; instead, I respectfully told her she deserved peace and that someone was still fighting for her. Moved by my words, he agreed to operate again. On December 13, 2024, he performed a second surgery on my grandma for recurrent leiomyosarcoma of the thyroid, driven by faith—his in his skills and ours in her resilience. 

By late November 2024, her neck swelling had become unmistakable—firm, painless, and just below her jawline. She was readmitted to ESI Model Hospital, under Dr. Aravind Ramkumar's care. Her case revealed a 3 x 3 cm solid, well-defined mass in front of her neck. Tests showed stable vitals but confirmed a recurrence: a heterogeneously hyperechoic lesion of about 3.2 x 1.9 cm in her neck, with no metastasis. FNAC results indicated malignant cells, suggesting recurrent leiomyosarcoma.

Her surgery was delayed due to elevated TSH levels after thyroid removal, making anaesthesia risky. The doctors adjusted her medications and sent her home on strict follow-up. The wait was agonising; she was aware of the tumour’s presence each time she swallowed. When the surgeon finally saw the scans, his face hardened; the tumour had returned. Initially refusing to operate again, he hesitated. But I humbly pleaded, not just as his patient’s granddaughter, but to give her more time, free of fear. He finally agreed, scheduling the operation for December 13th, 2024.