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Historically, a lot of people who¡¯ve had cancer didn¡¯t have good outcomes. But it¡¯s through their hardships ¡ª and the continuous breakthroughs in research ¡ª that people like me have been able to overcome the disease. I can¡¯t help but be moved by that.

That¡¯s why as a throat cancer patient myself, I chose to give back and help others, too. While undergoing treatment at MD Anderson, I enrolled in a clinical trial for head and neck cancer patients. I also participate in a study on symptoms to follow my throat cancer treatment, recovery and survivorship journey. 

My throat cancer diagnosis

I was diagnosed with cancer in May 2011, and it was a devastating blow to my family. My mother had just passed away, and my wife was pregnant with our third son. My first reaction was, ¡°What am I going to do? I can¡¯t leave my family.¡±

I thought I¡¯d just been experiencing ear and sinus infections, and had taken several rounds of antibiotics. Then, my ENT performed an endoscopic exam and found a small tumor in my nasal pharynx area.  

Five days later ¡ª at my physician-sister¡¯s urging ¡ª I came to MD Anderson. After another endoscopic evaluation and an MRI, I learned I had stage IV nasopharyngeal cancer, a rare type of throat cancer.

My throat cancer treatment

Even though my cancer wasn¡¯t common, I felt confident that MD Anderson doctors had dealt with it before and that they knew how to treat it. My doctors, , and William Nassib William, M.D., told me what to expect every step of the way. They and their staff put me instantly at ease. I felt cared for from the start.

My treatment plan included chemotherapy and radiation. I began receiving the drugs cisplatin and docetaxel intravenously in June. Radiation treatments began in mid-July and I continued the cisplatin through Sept. 1, when I finally rang the bell to mark the end of my treatment.  

On the other side of throat cancer

The worst side effects I experienced were nausea and vomiting. I lost 50 pounds during treatment. And by the end of it, I was living off of liquid meals. I lost my sense of taste at first, too, but it came back. And the radiation made it look like I was sunburned on my neck and face. But I have had no lasting or debilitating side effects. And as of March 2012, I have had no evidence of disease, either.

When I look back now, I can see that I felt hopeless at the time I was diagnosed. But that feeling left me once I set foot inside MD Anderson, and it has never returned.

Gratitude for MD Anderson and clinical trials

Today, when anybody asks me where I recommend going for cancer treatment, I immediately respond: run to MD Anderson. It¡¯s worth it to go there first rather than letting it be a last resort. I want people to know that MD Anderson gave me back my life. Now I can enjoy it again with my beautiful wife, Shanna, and watch our three sons grow into men.

I am beyond grateful to past patients, and thankful for the many men and women who helped me in my own personal battle with cancer. They did it the MD Anderson way: with love, spirit and determination. It carried me to a successful outcome. And for that, my family and I are eternally thankful.

There¡¯s still a lot of work to be done. But I was given the opportunity to be a survivor, and that¡¯s what I want for others.

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