EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER

The surgery I had last Wednesday was a complete success and probably the most painful during a recovery that I can remember. Even on drip morphine I could not swallow ice or water. Dr. Prabhat was incredible in his diagnosis and surgery. The hospital staff were all impressed with the embroidery like stitches and “gentleness” of the surgery and deep biopsy over the length of the 10 inch radical neck dissection. The deep biopsy was the key to finding the site of the cancer which was at the junction of the voice box and back of the back of the tongue or left Vallecula. This had not shown up on the PET scan or any other exam because of its deep location.

This is where the emotional roller coaster part comes in. The good news is that we know where the site is and radiation can be limited to that area. The hard part is realizing there is still a lot more to do to save your life. I have spoken to a number of people in this cancer club that I am now a member of and the reaction to the various stages is about the same. Each revelation is at first frightening but the next reaction is “OK, what's next in fighting this thing.” When they say attitude is everything they are right but it is more then jus having a good fighting attitude it is letting go and let yourself be guided by a hand from God. In doing this doors open and you are guided to the right Doctor, the right Oncologist and the right Radiologist.

It has worked for me as I will be going for radiation and chemotherapy in three weeks to Riverview. I was told that my throat will be as sore as it was after surgery for a couple of weeks and I could lose 20 to 30 pounds. My job now is to gain weight and get as healthy as possible in the next three weeks and be going for therapy for about 6 weeks. At that point most of this journey will be over and I will be monitored for the next two years. I am learning patience against my will and will let you know what the next stage is like.

I have always said that the Red Bank area is a great place to life work and play. And luckily for us it has attracted some of the finest talent in the medical profession that want to practice their profession and still have a life with their family in a great area. Leaving the high pressure of big city hospitals we have Dr. Rosenblum from Mt. Siani, neurosurgeon, Dr. Kaufman, radiation oncologist from Sloan Kettering in Detroit and Dr. Prabhat, ear nose and throat, from Sloan Kettering of New York are just a few of the growing talent we have in our area. I believe that physicians like these have raised the bar of treatment both at Monmouth and at Riverview Hospital. There are so many other things I have learned in the last month and a half but I donut have the room to write them at this point. Thanks for being there