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My WALk with CaNcer
In January 2017, I was diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare salivary gland cancer by Dr. Tessema in Farmington, CT. The tumor was located in my nasal cavity and was growing into my palate, having already eroded bone. After visiting a few doctors, I decided to be treated in Boston at Mass Eye and Ear and Mass General. In March 2017, Dr. Emerick of Mass Eye and Ear performed a partial maxillectomy, removing much of my palate. I now wears an artificial, removable device called an obturator daily that acts as my palate to help me speak, eat and drink. Dr. Jackson at Mass Eye and Ear was my prosthodontist, who has since retired. The surgery was successful in many ways, and I was able to donate the tumor to research, yet I did not have clear margins. In the spring of 2017, with Dr. Chan, as her radiation oncologist, and Dr. Clark, as her oncologist, I received thirty-five rounds of proton beam radiation and seven rounds of low-dose chemo at Mass General. I am currently six years out from treatment and I pray daily to continue to remain NED for life, and use my story to help others in whatever way I can.
In 2018, I wrote Our Struggles Have Purpose, which follows me from the day of diagnosis through the end of my treatment. I share fifty-five life lessons from my walk with cancer in hopes that what I learned through my journey will help others through theirs, as well as help caregivers and others, including doctors and researchers, see the cancer journey through the eyes of a patient.
I am working with ACCRF, Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Research Foundation, to help share patient stories. I have spoken at Relay for Life events and have run a couple of dodgeball tournaments in my hometown where our amazing community has raised $20,000 for ACCRF.
I have a heart to serve and encourage others. I know my story is not unique. Everyday someone is diagnosed with cancer. Our types and treatments may vary but there is an unspoken knowing and understanding with one another that comes with a diagnosis. If you find yourself here because you, or a loved one, has recently been diagnosed, feel free to send me a note to connect or so I can keep you and your family in my prayers. You never need to travel this road alone and remember...
No matter our struggles, there is ALWAYS hope.
Here is my story, in pictures, of my walk with ACC.
Although my treatments ended on June 22, 2017, my journey on this side of cancer continues. I am considered NED (no evidence of disease) and overall I am well. Radiation continues to cause some issues in my sinuses, even all these years later. My healing continues in different ways on different days, and I do my best to live fully in between my scans (which I will have for life).
We all have our struggles, maybe yours is not cancer but there is another struggle going on in your heart right now. Please know a struggling heart is a struggling heart. And my prayer for you is that you can see your struggle has purpose and is not there to be a stumbling block in your life, but can instead be a stepping stone you place beneath you to rise up on to help you become the person you were made to be.
With love and hope,
Shawn
