The Non-binary TikTok Star Stuck In a Hospital Room “Radioactive,” Isolated, & Fighting Cancer

Van Reen, born in Sweden, announced on TikTok that they had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer and went through treatment. It’s unclear exactly when they were diagnosed, but in an emotional TikTok video van Reen told us they got the news two days before lockdown occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the 28-year-old, they noticed a lump which had appeared on their throat and was initially brushed off by their doctor claiming the lump was van Reen’s Adam’s apple. However, van Reen sensed that something was wrong and pushed the doctor to examine the lump thoroughly. After the examination, the doctor admitted that the lump was different and scheduled van Reen an ultrasound. After the ultrasound, van Reen went through more tests and was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

@jeffvanreenAntwoorden aan @ilumpyspaceprincess #cancer #thyroidcancer #notmyadamsapple #trans #nonbinary #queer #fy #fyp #fu #fup #foryoupage #foryou♬ origineel geluid – Jeff van Reen

After being diagnosed, van Reen was told the prognosis was good and the disease was treatable. They went through two surgeries to remove the tumor, but during the second procedure doctors noticed that the disease had spread to the lymph glands. In order to to kill all the spreading cancer cells, van Reen was prescribed radioactive iodine therapy. According to the American Cancer Society, this extremely strong radiation treatment is often effective in killing all thyroid cells including the cancer cells.

Related: Eagle-Eyed Viewer Spots Thyroid Cancer In TV Reporter: See The Lump That Raised A Red Flag

The treatment caused van Reen to be “radioactive,” which means they had to live in complete solitude while being treated in the hospital. Battling cancer is already a tough feat which can really impact your emotional well-being, but having to battle the disease without being able to visit with loved ones or have any social interaction whatsoever can feel next-level hard. However, judging by van Reen’s TikTok messages, they made the best out of a tough situation. In a TikTok video, van Reen gave all of us a quick tour of their “radioactive” hospital room and all the precautions they had to take in order to keep everyone safe. Despite the tough circumstances, van Reen kept a smile on their face and made a light joke of the situation by playing Imagine Dragon’s song “Radioactive” in the background.

@jeffvanreenCancer treatment ✌🏻#radioactive #cancer #thyroidcancer #nonbinary #trans #queer #fyp #fy #fup #fu #foryoupage #foryou♬ Radioactive – Imagine Dragons

What is Thyroid Cancer?

Thyroid cancer is a disease that begins in the thyroid gland, which is at the base of the neck. Oftentimes, the cancer will present itself as a large bump (tumor) in the neck. Symptoms of thyroid cancer can sometimes be hard to detect yourself, as they can often mirror the common cold. These signs may include difficulty swallowing, changes to your voice, and a consistent cough. Since these symptoms can be confused with a cold, it’s important to be vigilant about your health and speak up if they continue without explanation.

Related: "You Know Your Body, Listen To It": Ovarian Cancer Survivor Lisa Mitchell Urges Women To Speak Up About Health

In van Reen’s case, they knew the lump in their neck was something to be concerned about, and pushed the doctor to take a look. It’s important to remember that you know your body better than anyone else, and if you feel like something might be wrong it’s never a bad idea to speak up and push for answers.

Dr. Beth Karlan says, “If You Feel Something, Say Something”

Staying Positive During Cancer Treatment

Staying positive during cancer treatment has a bigger impact on results than you may expect.  Studies prove that patients who are able to stay upbeat and positive often have better treatment outcomes, and that's why mindset and attitude can be extremely valuable tools. For those battling cancer, doing activities you love can sometimes bring some much-needed positivity into your day. Whether it’s a picnic with friends, hike in the great outdoors, or in van Reen’s case sharing some lighthearted Tik Toks, it’s so important to find those special pockets of joy.

Related: Stay Positive, It Matters

"We know from good studies that emotional health is associated with survival, meaning better quality of life is associated with better outcomes," Dr. Dana Chase, a gynecologic oncologist at Arizona Oncology, told SurvivorNet in a previous interview. "So working on your emotional health, your physical well-being, your social environment [and] your emotional well-being are important and can impact your survival. If that's related to what activities you do that bring you joy, then you should try to do more of those activities."

Dr. Dana Chase encourages those facing cancer to find moments of joy during treatment

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