Living with Head and Neck Cancer

I was diagnosed with HPV Squamous Cell Carcinoma in May 2007. It all began with me noticing a hard painless lump in the right side of my neck in the shower. I had the lump removed and they found the biopsy malignant. The primary tumor was found in my right tonsil, and underwent a radical neck disection at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore MD, ouch. After 6 weeks of recovery from Surgery I was given a simultaneous thrashing with 6 weekly doses cisplatin chemotherapy and 36 rounds of carefully directed radiation.

The pain was severe but tolerable thanks to heavy doses of oxycodone and Fentanyl skin patches. I lost 50 pounds off a muscular 220 pound frame, but I am back to a healthy weight. Getting off of the narcotics was hell. My kidneys were significantly damaged by the chemo put I am told they should last me the rest of my natural life span as long as I don’t have another “event”

As of 4 May 2009, I am 20 months post treatment and I know that I have to make it 72 months to be considered cured. I am hopeful but I know that my fate rest in God’s hands. Every PET and CAT scan causes a considerable amount of anxiety

My advice to those that will listen :
1) Have your head and neck cancer biopsy tested for HPV. HPV cancers are more responsive to chemo and radiation therapy than non-HPV triggered SSC cancers. Please get your children vaccinated against HPV it kills both males and females. My beautiful 11 year old daughter got her guardasil vaccination shots.

2) Fight like hell. Treatment sucks but with a positive mental attitude you CAN win if you get quality care and the right treatment regimine. Don’t forget statistics will make you crazy. As my medical oncologist so wisely said ” any given patient’s chances for survival are exactly 100% percent or exactly zero.” You can and will win so BELIEVE! Make up your mind that you will be part of the “good” statistics.

In conclusion, please don’t forget that God loves you, and that sometimes we suffer. How well we suffer is up to us. It is our responsibility to be strong and suffer well. When you have cancer everyone you love is sick right along with you so don’t forget that they way you endure, your attitude, and the love, cheerfulness and consideration you show to others in your illness will lighten the heavy burden placed on them. God will listen to you no matter what time of the day or night you call upon him. He will bring you the peace of mind you need to win or to accept whatever fate he has chosen for you and I.

Fear is a constant enemy. I’ve been back at work for a year and most of the people and things that used to intimidate me don’t scare me any more. I have never been more successful.

Choose to win, keep fighting and may God Bless

John
Annapolis MD