LIHU‘E — University of Hawai‘i softball All-American Kelly Majam was diagnosed with thyroid cancer after returning home to Pine Valley, Calif., for the summer. She underwent successful surgery three weeks ago and is slated to return for her sophomore season
LIHU‘E — University of Hawai‘i softball All-American Kelly Majam was diagnosed with thyroid cancer after returning home to Pine Valley, Calif., for the summer. She underwent successful surgery three weeks ago and is slated to return for her sophomore season with the Rainbow Wahine softball team this fall.
In May, Majam discovered a lump on the left side of her throat that hurt when swallowing while at the Western Athletic Conference championship tournament in Las Cruces, N.M.
The pain subsided during the Wahine run to the College World Series in June, but upon returning to the San Diego area, she went to see a doctor who confirmed the lump and referred her to a head and neck specialist.
On July 19, Majam had a thyroid needle biopsy on the lump and was diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma two days later. She met with a head and neck oncologic and reconstructive surgeon, who explained the details of the cancer and scheduled her for surgery the following week.
During the July 27 surgery, Majam’s entire thyroid was removed and another biopsy confirmed that the mass was cancerous. A 1.6 centimeter-sized lump was extracted and it was determined that the cancer had not spread to the lymph nodes.
This month, Majam started thyroid hormone replacement, which she will have to continue for the rest of her life.
During the upcoming winter break, she will undergo iodine radiation treatment back home in Pine Valley and will be in isolation at the hospital for two to three days due to the high dose of radiation. Before the treatment, she will be on a low iodine diet for three weeks, returning to a normal diet following the radiation.
Majam will be working out with the softball team this fall and plans on resuming practice and workouts with the team upon her return for the spring semester.
A National Fastpitch Coaches Association and ESPN.com All-American, Majam started all 66 games this past year in center field. She finished the season as the NCAA home run title holder with 30 home runs — a new Western Athletic Conference and UH single-season record.
Majam finished 2010 ranked fourth nationally in runs per game (.81); fifth in slugging percentage (.519) and 27th in on-base percentage (.919). She reached base safely in 61 of 66 games played and set new UH single-season records with 81 runs scored and 44 walks.
Overall, Majam also led the ‘Bows with a .400 batting average and 60 RBIs, tied with Melissa Gonzalez. On defense, Majam did not commit an error on the field with 79 put outs and six assists.
She is the reigning WAC Freshman of the Year and was the Most Valuable Player in the 2010 WAC Tournament. She is also a WAC all-academic player and a UH scholar-athlete.
