28 Years After My Cancer Diagnosis

I am grateful to have the opportunity to follow up on the article written for SPOHNC twenty-five years ago. The article documented my successful treatment of squamous cell carcinoma, base of my tongue, with metastasis to my neck. At that time, patients received a cutting-edge radiation treatment called Peacock IMRT. This allowed the primary tumor site on my tongue to be pinpoint radiated. Thus avoiding possible irreversible loss of taste and saliva production that was normally experienced with the then traditional external beam radiation therapy.

Following my twenty-eight-year follow-up at Methodist Hospital Houston, I am pleased to be able to report that I remain cancer free and able to continue to lead a productive and satisfying life.

One of my goals was to help others who had had a similar diagnosis. I want them to ask questions about my treatment and recovery from a patient’s point of view.

The main questions asked are what was done right and what I wished was done differently?

Things done right:

1. Assembling an excellent Major Medical Center team and agreeing to the help and support of family and friends.
2. Develop a plan to regain my strength. Sought foods that I could swallow to gain back weight. The incredible, edible “EGG”. Whether poached, soft boiled or scrambled proved to be my savior.
3. Found a trainer who could help me slowly rebuild my strength and endurance.
4. Connected with a local prosthodontist, a dental specialist who had experience working with head and neck cancer patients. He-assisted in following up my unique needs. I saw my prosthodontist and hygienist prior to and every three months after my treatment. Their recommendations were for daily fluoride treatment to help prevent tooth decay and tooth loss that is a real issue for patients who undergo radiation therapy to the head and neck.
5. Found a Dermatologist and visited him every six months for 28 years. Radiated tissue should be monitored for abnormalities.

Afterthoughts:

I truly wish I had agreed to the placement of a feeding tube during my recovery. It was very difficult to maintain my weight because the radiation made it almost impossible to swallow. I would have progressed more quickly had I not negatively impacted my strength level that accompanied my fifty-pound weight loss. Just getting out of bed proved to be a challenge.

I am so very appreciative of the support received from SPOHNC. They helped me navigate through the extremly difficult recovery process.

I’m also happy to report that through TheSimmsfoundation.org, we continue to assist newly diagnosed patients. Some just need to talk to someone who has walked this same path. After my difficult journey, I firmly believe that we must make EVERY effort to elevate quality of life.

Thank you SPONC

Douglas E. Simms