ODDS BEATING THE

Lindenwood track athlete from Troy overcomes thyroid cancer diagnosis and returns to competition

By Brett Auten

In September of last year, a fine needle aspirate (biopsy with needles to the neck) was performed on her thyroid.

“It wasn't numb, and instead of five needles, they tapped eight into my lower neck,” she said. “Extremely disturbing, unpleasant, and intense.”

The results came back soon after; “Suspicious for papillary thyroid cancer.”

Shoemake and her family went to the Pratt Cancer Center, where they were informed that she had papillary thyroid cancer.

“It was the one day I didn't cry or become emotional, which may seem odd, but it was because I had months to think about (it),” Shoemake said. “Once I finally heard those words, I was ready to take it on, I asked a lot of questions and got my booklets. The most alarming response I received was that this cancer has been progressing for nearly four years.”

In October, 2022, she had her first surgery and although the thyroidectomy was effective in removing the majority of the thyroid, there were still some tissues left over, which is typical. But, because of her age, the physicians decided to undergo more therapy. The panel of specialists determined that radiation would be the best choice for killing out the residual tissues and ensuring it wouldn't return.

“Finding out that the culprit that had been tormenting my body and mind for four years was cancer didn’t hurt me as badly,” Shoemake said. “Of course, I was shocked. I was enraged, saddened, and anxious. But I reminded myself that's what every athlete goes through, maybe not to that extreme, but everyone's experience is unique, and mine won't end here. I wasn't going to let myself abandon all of my hard work over the last four-to-eight years.”

Even though she knew she had tumors when she started her junior year of college, she wasn't going to let up. She still conditioned, trained, threw, lifted, and gave her body everything it had because, in February 2023 she competed in her first Ohio Valley Conference meet. She started 10th, but three personal-record throws put her in seventh and garnered two points for the Lions.

“I was still fulfilling my ambitions less than three months after radiation therapy,” she said. “It was my favorite athletic meet of my career. I'm eager for more. My objective is to establish a new season best, personal best, and move up to Lindenwood's third highest women's Hammer thrower.”

The Lions competed in the Music City Challenge in Nashville, Tennessee on April 28-29 before ending the year at the OVC Championships on May 11-13 in Edwardsville, Illinois.

Even though she’s been officially cancer-free since November of 2022, Shoemake's long-term objective is to continue spreading awareness among young adults, athletes, families, and others battling with mental, emotional, and physical health by being an advocate and sharing her story.

“I am no longer the same woman I once was, nor am I the same athlete I once was.” she said. “I hope that my experience inspires people to see the bright side of their circumstances and to keep working toward their ambitions.”