On Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008, my husband was diagnosed with throat cancer. Although it is treatable (hopefully it hasn't spread), he could still lose his voice. Let me go back to the beginning...
He has sore throats when no one else had, he has felt like he has a perm. lump in his throat and a cough for about a year now. He went to the family doctor at the end of Oct. and she sent him to an ENT (Ears, Nose & Throat Dr.) Dr. Matthew Lutz did his exam and then scheduled a biopsy for Nov. 5. Needless to say we were all on pins and needles during this time. Dr. Lutz (surgeon) finally came out and spoke with me, the way he was talking I knew it was cancer and sometimes you just know it. He is really a nice guy and Dave is lucky to have him for a surgeon.
There were little things that took our minds off of the situation: My 10 yr. old son severely sprained his ankle the day before Daves biopsy, we spent the day at Children's Hosp. for an x-ray. Thursday morning after the biopsy, our new TV went out, then Sunday my dishwasher decided to leak water all over the floor, they got the TV fixed on Monday but on Tuesday it went out again and this time they had to order a whole new panel. Yay no football for a week! No Browns to watch or Ohio State that week on the big screen, and yeah that did kinda stink as both teams won. Then on Thursday we got the results!
He has a 3cm (about 1") tumor around his voice box and it is a T-4, not good. My husband Dave took it all in stride as he is a very strong man. Yes he is concerned and worried about himself and his family. Once we left the docs. office I asked him if I could breath, (I have a tendency to hold my breath and breath lightly) he said yes and I immediately started to cry. Yes, I am scared for him, he is the love of my life.
We sent the younger kids to their grandparents for the weekend and we had a good Saturday, but Sunday wasn't that great. We both had our minds on this and feelings were strong, we discussed it, cried and held onto one another. I will be there for him no matter the outcome.
Dave had a pet scan today and will be seeing another throat specialist on Dec. 5th to see if it has spread anywhere else and to see if he is a good candidate for chemo and radiation to shrink the tumor. If not he will be losing his wonderful voice. He has told me that he will make a video of himself so that I can always here him tell me he loves me in his voice. I don't care how he tells me as long as I have him the rest of our days.
Then you wouldn't believe it, our hot water heater went out this past Thursday then my washer (8 mos old) broke last night, I hope this isn't any indication of things to come. I just want my husband to be healthy. Thanks for listening.
