Judith’s Cancer Journey
Discover Judith’s inspiring cancer journey, twice overcoming head & neck cancer with unwavering faith & strength. Be uplifted by her courage & resilience!
30 Stories in 30 Days™ // April 2023
My head and neck cancer journey began in April of 2019. I found out quite by accident that I had cancer when my NJ periodontist suspected there was more going on than the initial problem that brought me to him. He referred me to a NJ otolaryngologist, who after examination, referred me to a NY otolaryngologist/surgeon.
I then went to a NY hospital to undergo a biopsy, medical appointments, scans, etc. for clearance to have surgery and a ten-hour surgery. I remember feeling so many emotions: devastation, fear, hopelessness, and sadness to name a few but I also felt that I needed to stay strong, rely on my faith in God and follow through with what was being recommended.
I was very afraid during the days leading up to surgery but my surgeon was very helpful in making me feel that everything would be okay. The surgery was successful meaning the cancer was gone. I adjusted and was recovering nicely until radiation began approximately six weeks following surgery.
Radiation was the most difficult and overwhelming part of my journey so far. It weakened my body, mind and spirit. I felt and looked like I was at death’s door and a little less than halfway through the treatments, I informed medical staff that I would not be returning and ignored the calls and letters from the hospital. After four months of rest and recovery, I returned to work and began my “new normal” life.
I remember feeling so many emotions: devastation, fear, hopelessness, and sadness to name a few but I also felt that I needed to stay strong, rely on my faith in God and follow through with what was being recommended.
Three years later, I was again diagnosed with head and neck cancer following a visit to my NJ otolaryngologist for an earache. During that visit, my NJ doctor said he was going to contact my NY doctor based on what he saw during his examination. I knew then that cancer had once again shown its ugly face. After an examination with the NY doctor, I went back to the NY hospital to undergo a biopsy, the medical appointments and scans for clearance to have surgery and another ten-hour surgery was scheduled. To say I was devastated is an understatement. Being diagnosed with cancer once is enough to turn your world upside down but now twice was more than my heart could take.
I had come such a long way in recovery from the first diagnosis and I honestly didn’t know how I was going to get through this again. I cried every day and my mind raced each day as I questioned what to do; should I or shouldn’t I and wondering what would happen if I didn’t go through with what was being recommended.
My son and my nephew, who is like a son to me, said the result would not be good if I didn’t proceed and they didn’t want to lose me. We are a small family, all of our immediate family have passed away and I am the only remaining elder so I convinced myself to proceed for them.
About a month after I was diagnosed, I had my second ten-hour surgery with my same NY doctor. The surgery—although more complicated than before—was once again a success: meaning the cancer was gone.
The care and kindness that I received truly touched my heart forever.
After approximately six weeks, I began radiation treatment at a NJ hospital that is affiliated with the NY hospital. The effects of radiation took a toll on my body and spirit causing weakness, sadness, tremendous weight loss and just overall not feeling well. My radiation oncologist and his team were wonderful and they along with my NY doctor and his team were instrumental in helping me to get through the radiation treatments. The care and kindness that I received truly touched my heart forever.
Three months later, I completed the recommended thirty radiation treatments. I was told by my radiation oncologist that completion of the thirty treatments gives an 85% chance of the cancer not coming back. I never thought I would make it through completion of the treatments and I consider it a huge accomplishment.
My recovery took longer this second time around and although the surgery was a success, I am left with impairments that I did not have after the first surgery. My surgeon had already prepared me for what was ahead so I wasn’t shocked. I now have a speech impediment due to removal of some of my tongue, limited ability to swallow and enjoy food and scarring on my arm, face under my mouth, chin and neck area along with some excess skin tissue under my chin that appears as two small sacs. I am happy to wear a mask every day to avoid people seeing my face, which is something I will eventually need to work on, but for now, my focus is on keeping my mental state positive.
Have faith, keep love and hope in your heart and surround yourself with those who love you.
Throughout my entire cancer journey, I have relied on my faith in God and the love that I receive from my family, my church family, friends, acquaintances and all the lovely people who I have met along the way: excellent doctors and their teams, hospital staff, my physical therapist and the list goes on. I am forever grateful to all of them as they are the real super heroes. I am also blessed to be a grandmother now and a great aunt.
After seven months of rest and recovery, I am back at work and trying to live my best life possible by remaining grateful for all of my blessings, taking good care of myself and staying positive. I encourage anyone going through a similar situation to do the same. Have faith, keep love and hope in your heart and surround yourself with those who love you. Infinite gratitude to my surgeon for saving my life twice and being a kind and wonderful doctor and human being. His sensitivity, skill and dedication were more than I could hope for.
Interested in Sharing Your Cancer Journey?
For someone recently diagnosed with cancer, reading the stories of other caregivers and survivors can inspire.
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