Jim Randall
In December of 2002 I went to my primary care physician because I had a sore throat and post-nasal drip. He thought it was acid reflux so he sent he me to an ear, nose and throat specialist, who gave me medication. When it didn’t clear up, he did other tests and eventually diagnosed it as throat cancer.
I was optimistic because I knew that it had been caught early. The ear, nose and throat specialists recommended radiation only, but after doing my own research, I also consulted a physician at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center who was a friend of my son. I decided I wanted to have chemotherapy in addition to the radiation. I had to convince my physicians, who thought that radiation was enough, but I didn’t want to take any chances. The radiation damaged my vocal chords so badly that I could not speak. Because my throat was so raw, I had to be fed through a feeding tube for three months and lost 60 pounds.
I decided to join a support group at The Wellness Community-Delaware’s New Castle County facility, but I couldn’t convince my wife to go with me at first. She didn’t think that she needed it but I felt she needed it. It turned into a very valuable experience for both of us. I developed some very good friends in that group. We were very sick and going through painful treatment but still we could come on a Wednesday night and laugh and share.
I own my own business, Caldwell Staffing, and fortunately I had staff members who took over and did the things I could not do while I was in treatment. I went to business meetings but most of the time I worked at home with my laptop and kept in touch through e-mail.
I have been out of treatment for three years. The radiation treatment affected my ability to taste and I still do not have the energy that I had before, but I am committed to educating people about cancer, especially in the workplace. I am particularly pleased with my involvement in the recent Advocates of Hope Cancer Summit in Wilmington, sponsored by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, which brought 30 organizations together to talk about how to accommodate employees going through cancer treatment.
Some people with cancer don’t tell anybody. I took the other approach – that you can live with cancer. You need to be pro-active as a patient. You need to be educated and involved. You need to ask what doctors are doing and why.
I have a great appreciation for The Wellness Community-Delaware and continue to be involved as a supporter and volunteer.
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