No one wants to hear the words, “you have cancer”. Paul Hendrix has heard it twice. Just two years after receiving his throat cancer diagnosis that, thanks to cutting edge treatment, he was cured of, he would learn that he had lung cancer.
From Throat to Lung: A Surfer’s Double Cancer Diagnosis
During routine scans following his throat cancer diagnosis, radiologists noticed a nodule on his left upper lobe, about an inch into the lobe. It was small enough that it was deemed medically appropriate to take a conservative approach and monitor it for any discernible changes. It was believed that it might simply be a fat deposit or some other anomaly; in part because it was small and stayed the same for two full years.
It wasn’t until the nodule started to grow that it was decided that it should be biopsied. The nodule was indeed cancerous but, because the immunotherapy that managed to eradicate the throat cancer had not impacted this cancer, it was clear that it was, indeed, a new cancer unrelated to the throat cancer.
“It was a total incidental finding. Had I not had throat cancer, this spot would not have been discovered so soon. I was spared a lot of pain and suffering because of it.”
Self-Advocacy: Riding the Waves of Medical Decision-Making
Paul is unusual for a man of his generation. Unlike many other men, he never shied away from seeking medical help and, from the time he was a young man, knew how and when to advocate for himself. Nearly thirty years ago, while struggling with a frustrating and difficult to diagnose digestive issue, Paul underwent a novel scan of his intestinal system that required him to drink various things while his intestinal system was scanned in real time. It was through that experience that he established relationships with people at the lab that uses the machine, hoping to play a role in the importance of proper screenings and new lower radiation scanning devices.
Over the years, the researchers at this company kept in close contact with Paul, even using him – and his willingness to be a volunteer patient for the manufacturer – to train employees on the machines while getting valuable brain scans as a trade off.
When it came time to treat Paul’s throat cancer, he was intravenously given a combination of first line medication along with immunotherapy. The cocktail helped to activate natural white blood cells which stops the cancer of camouflage coding and tells the immune system to attack. Simultaneously, he was treated with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT): an external beam that uses CT scan information to create a map of the precise spot of a tumor. A head surgeon then removed the tumor using transoral robotic surgery, a minimally invasive surgical technique that uses a robot to remove tumors in the mouth and throat. As we know, his results were exceptional. So Paul, ever the advocate, solicited the physician who had treated the throat cancer strongly requesting that he treat the lung cancer the same way: with SBRT.
SBRT: The Cutting-Edge Treatment That Saved Paul’s Lung and Surf Career
When Paul met with a top surgeon to discuss his options, the doctor was adamant that the only treatment that would be successful would be to have a lobectomy which would remove the entire left upper lobe. Paul recalls feeling tremendous pressure, but he resisted. A lifelong surfer, he inquired as to whether he would be able to surf post-operatively. When the answer was a definitive ‘not advised’, Paul further pursued the SBRT route.
Next up, Paul’s oncologist and immunologist organized a consortium of physicians to discuss the pros and cons of using this same cutting-edge therapy on Paul’s lung cancer. Paul was tenacious in advocating for himself. Once the medical team agreed to give SBRT a try, Paul had three rounds of SBRT and was then pronounced to be NED (no evidence of disease).
Challenging Traditional Approaches: How Innovative Cancer Treatment Preserved Paul’s Passion
“This is a revolutionary treatment. The technology is only five years old, but I am certain it is going to become more prevalent. Because they were able to catch it at the source before it bloomed or spread, all that is left is a charcoal residue. And, based upon the technology, there is only a minute possibility that there is still active cancer at the site.”
Paul’s decision to pursue and ultimately undergo SBRT successfully not only preserved his lung, but also his ability to continue doing what he loves: surfing.
“I am in a unique position: I am neither married, have a significant other, or any kids. Because of that, I have the luxury of making any treatment decision I want without the concern about the impact on other people. I got to make the decision that I knew was best for me. It is such amazing technology and, since I had been involved for some time, I knew what I was getting into. I saw what it did for my throat cancer, so I was willing to take that leap of faith again. And, someone was looking down on me: of all the possible side effects, I had none. That was a gift.”
Paul now has yearly scans. He remains free of disease.
It is important to note that SBRT is still new. And because there are no long-term studies or any physical evidence of burned tumors, many insurance companies will not cover the treatment. Yet. But, thanks to ongoing studies and research, there is hope on the horizon that this will become a more common treatment protocol for lung cancer patients.
Beyond Physical Recovery: Navigating the Mental Challenges of Cancer Survivorship
Paul closed with this thought,
“Despite my outstanding results, I want to be clear that everything wasn’t peachy. As a cancer survivor, physical recovery is only part of the bigger picture. My physical recovery was pretty smooth, but I developed a brain fog (also known as chemo brain) which is part of the normal process. Any cancer diagnosis creates a huge pressure on the patient’s mind, body and spirit. Talk to your doctor: there are ways of making it better.”
I’m using my lungs to advocate
As a member of LCFA’s Speakers Bureau, I’m advocating for research and raising awareness through the media, embodying hope and action.
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