Joe’s Cancer Journey
From firefighter to cancer fighter. Joe shares his harrowing journey through tonsil cancer. He reveals the power of family support and inner strength.
Joe // 30 Stories Campaign™ // Oral Cancer Awareness
In early June of 2023, the beginning of the summer, I noticed something alarming about my throat. I initially dismissed it as post-nasal drip. However, a closer look in the mirror, assisted with a flashlight, revealed that my left tonsil was swollen to the size of a golf ball. This sudden change took me completely by surprise. I immediately sought my primary care provider’s advice, who prescribed antibiotics and quickly referred me to a specialist. A biopsy confirmed my worst fear: tonsil cancer.
Without delay, I underwent surgery in July, followed by a week-long hospital stay. Unfortunately, complications didn’t spare me. I was readmitted three days after my initial discharge with aspiration pneumonia leading to one more week of hospitalization. Once my condition was more stable,the next phase of my treatment began the first week of October, which involved adjunctive radiation and chemotherapy. This included seven weeks of radiation for five days each week and six rounds of chemotherapy.
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Despite my high pain tolerance, managing the pain was a continual trial-and-error ordeal.
After surgery, the pain was incredibly intense. It made swallowing solid food impossible for three weeks. As a result, my diet was of pureed foods including mashed potatoes and scrambled eggs, gradually progressing to waffles drenched in maple syrup. As my eating ability slowly improved, the radiation’s side effects became apparent. My left ear rang and became increasingly painful, and the large area of numbness that I felt on the left side of my face gave way to increased pain.
Despite my high pain tolerance, the aftermath of the treatments that began that first week of October, brought on even more excruciating pain—more severe than during the treatments themselves. Managing the pain through medication and sheer will was a seemingly continual trial-and-error ordeal.My history as an all-state high school gymnast and a player-manager for a post-collegiate, organized football team for seven years, coupled with disciplined strength training ingrained in me, as well as 23 years of service in the Volunteer Fire Service as a Connecticut State Certified Firefighter and Fire Police Lieutenant, hardly equipped me for the overwhelming energy depletion this journey caused.
This journey really sapped my energy… I was mentally ready for decreased mobility, but not the lack of energy.
I recall the days I had 17.5” biceps, which have decreased by 3 inches. In fact, I noticed a decrease in my muscle mass all over—my neck, forearms, quads and calf muscles. This journey really sapped my energy. At first, it left me in bed for most of the day. Slowly, I was able to take three one-hour power naps per day. I was mentally ready for decreased mobility, but not the lack of energy.
I now understand that this process requires patience and dedicated practice, especially as I work to regain my jaw range of motion, sense of taste and swallowing ability. Chemo posed a particular challenge to my ability to keep hydrated. I required about 100 ounces of water each day to flush out the chemotherapy drug, Cisplatin.
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…the first 8 weeks following chemo and radiotherapy stand out as particularly tough.
Reflecting on this journey, the first 8 weeks following chemo and radiotherapy stand out as particularly tough. However, the unwavering support from my wife and family provided me with a continual source of strength. I always viewed myself as a “strong guy,” which motivated me to keep pushing myself to stay ahead of this situation.
It’s crucial to recognize that the cancer journey is an extremely long process. I was fortunate to have the emotional support from my family and a group of my Volunteer Firefighter colleagues who encouraged me throughout the process. My daughters and my wife were consistently by my side during this journey.
For anyone who finds themselves going down a similar path, I say embrace the uncertainty of the process.
My extended family’s support also was immeasurable. Each day, they sent me texts and called to see how I was feeling and how my appointments went. My wife was incredible. She was my chauffeur every day for several months, and she was my number one advocate. She would ask the tough questions that, at the time, I didn’t think to ask my physicians. I’m extremely thankful for all the people who were actively involved in my life.
For anyone who finds themselves going down a similar path, I say embrace the uncertainty of the process. Be open to treatment, listen to your body, try to express your feelings clearly, and trust that perseverance will guide you. It’s more likely than not you will persevere.
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