Quentin’s Cancer Journey
Discover this true story of resilience and hope through multiple cancer battles. Learn how quality care, self-advocacy, and positivity make all the difference!
30 Stories in 30 Days™ // April 2023
Never had my strength and persistence been tested as much as throughout my journey with cancer. Ten years ago, I received my tongue cancer diagnosis for the first time. I had the tumor, along with my tongue, surgically removed without any additional treatment. Five years later, I had a recurrence, and again, my surgeon excised the tumor with no additional treatment.
Two years ago, it recurred again, although this time it came back with a vengeance—the tumor had more aggressive features this third time. I underwent surgery involving a left neck dissection and felt the strongest when my surgeon told me that he had resected all the cancer.
After surgery, I received chemotherapy as well as an absolutely brutal six weeks of radiation, which affected my swallowing functions and made it extremely difficult to eat. The radiation oncologist told me to have a feeding tube placed prior to starting radiation therapy, and I feel so grateful for this advice. Thank God I had it placed because if I hadn’t, I would have lost a significant amount of weight. Throughout this difficult phase of my treatment, I never really felt bad for myself—I just reminded myself that the pain and difficulties were a means to an end and would help me get better.
I had complete faith in my surgeon and care team. They communicated in a transparent, knowledgeable, and honest way…
But I must have spoken too soon because on a follow-up PET scan, they found another lesion. Only this time on the right side instead of the left. This devastated me. Receiving this news of another recurrence made me feel helpless and hopeless in a way I hadn’t felt before. I hit my absolute low point. I kept thinking: “why didn’t someone find this earlier?”
I wanted a second opinion and my general practitioner referred me elsewhere. The new physician ordered a biopsy, which came back as cancerous and informed me that we would have to go back to surgery. From that point on, I felt like the new course of action was just another step. I had complete faith in my surgeon and care team. They communicated in a transparent, knowledgeable, and honest way with respect to potential outcomes. I always trusted my surgeon for these reasons and felt that “he’s my guy.”
I truly feel like I won the lottery in receiving the care I did. I felt so supported throughout the whole process…
The surgery was successful, and the surgeon removed several cancerous lymph nodes. After surgery, I received a referral to a radiation oncologist to determine whether I would need radiation again. After such a brutal first round of radiation, I hoped that I wouldn’t need it, thinking to myself with a sense of humor, “will all this radiation make me glow like they do in the movies?”
Thankfully, the physician determined that I could undergo a six-week course of proton therapy instead, a more mild therapy with less side effects. I felt hopeful and strong, and finally felt like I would beat this thing. With the most incredible care team by my side, I finished treatment a year ago, and my two follow-up PET scans since then have been cancer-free!
Before having multiple cancers, I didn’t realize my own strength and resiliency.
I truly feel like I won the lottery in receiving the care I did. I felt so supported throughout the whole process and my care team maintained such a positive attitude. If I could give any advice, I would say get the best care that you can. It’s out there, but you won’t get it by coincidence. I consider it like finding a mechanic—there are good mechanics and bad mechanics, but you have to do the work to find the good ones through word of mouth or online resources. Receiving quality healthcare makes all the difference, but it also requires searching and advocating for yourself.
On many levels, my experiences with cancer changed my life. And in a good way—cancer isn’t all bad. I found myself having more empathy towards others and whatever situations they may find themselves in. After cancer, I didn’t outwardly appear much different than I did before my diagnosis. But the whole journey significantly changed how I feel inside, and those things aren’t always apparent. Similarly, other people have a bunch of different things going on that I can’t always see—who am I to judge? As a result of my experiences, my demeanor softened, and I became less judgmental when interacting with other people.
Going through something like this… I became so much more grateful and appreciative overall.
Before having multiple cancers, I didn’t realize my own strength and resiliency. I surprised myself in how much I overcame, including going through a divorce at the time! I have to attribute my endurance to my care team and the people in my life. Likewise, I’m so incredibly grateful to my support system for checking in on me—even just a call here and there to ask how I was doing made a huge difference and helped me get through. Surrounding myself with people that support me, keeping a positive outlook, and finding the best care team helped me finally beat my cancer.
Going through something like this also forces you to think about your own mortality, in a way that we don’t often get to think about when we get busy in our daily lives. The reminder of my finite existence humbled me. Additionally, it helped me remain optimistic that struggles, no matter how difficult, are temporary. It made me realize my great fortune in the relationships I have with people in my life, and I became so much more grateful and appreciative overall.
Ultimately, I learned that you have the power to make your situation better by avoiding a victimizing mindset, advocating for yourself, and maintaining a positive attitude. Life will always have obstacles, but the way in which you overcome them has the power to bring true happiness.
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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