On March 12, 2001 I was diagnosed with non-Hodkins lymphoma. After undergoing 6 rounds of CHOP + Rituxan chemotherapy I had been cancer free until July 14th, 2014 when I was diagnosed with oral cancer.
Current Diagnosis: oral cancer – squamish cell carcinoma
Stage: 4
Prognosis: excellent
After multiple cat scans, x-rays, biopsies and some blood work it appears that the cancer is a stage 4 oral cancer. This is based on the size of my tumor (T1-2) and the intrusion of cancer into 2 of the 27 of lymph nodes biopsied from the left side of my neck. My prognosis is excellent, my health is excellent and my attitude is great! Attas 2, cancer 0!
My Treatment
I began my treatment on Monday, August 4th at University of Florida/Shands in Jacksonville. I underwent 4 1/2 hours of surgery during which Dr. Fernandes removed the tumor from under the left side of my tongue and the lymph nodes along the left side of my neck. We received the biopsy report about a week later which showed that all of the cancer had been successfully removed! The next stage is for me to undergo 6 weeks of radiotherapy to minimize the risk of recurrence. At the end of the treatment Dr. Fernandes and I are confident that my cancer will be gone for good.
Special thanks to my doctors, Dr. Salomon Israel in Vero Beach and Dr. Rui Fernandes in Jacksonville. They have been amazing, confident, reassuring and compassionate. Thank you to all of the other doctors and nurses who have cared for me along the way. All of you have played an important role in my battle against cancer.
