For the remaining 12 years, Tom Campbell of Acton has participated inside the Pan-Mass Challenge, a yearly Massachusetts bike-a-then dedicated to elevating money for most cancers studies, and he wasn’t going to allow cancer treatment to get inside the manner of his 13th trip. Campbell, part of the nearby Team Lick Cancer, which has more than 170 participants, stated he would be driving the 2-day, 192-mile route stretching from Sturbridge to Provincetown.
Surgery and radiation
I finished in January,” said Campbell approximately his recent cancer treatments for a tumor in the roof of his mouth determined the final year. According to Campbell, treatment blanketed surgical procedure, 33 radiation treatments, seven weekly chemo remedies, and all finished in 33 days.
Campbell said to treat the tumor — his 2d — docs eliminated a part of the roof of his mouth. He now wears a prosthetic that suits the hole in his hard palate. He said he has problems opening his jaw and radiation affecting the muscular tissues in his neck, making it tough to open his mouth. Four the remaining 4-and-a-1/2 months, Campbell has been getting the bodily remedy to get his mouth to open wider, and now he can best eat very skinny portions.
I dropped 25 pounds,” stated Campbell, ”…It became a conflict to devour and drink.
Second opinion
Campbell stated he became formerly dealt with a tumor in his sinuses at the University of Virginia about 15 years ago, wherein he also acquired surgical procedures and radiation. This time, Campbell said, he received his initial analysis at Mass Eye and Ear. And whilst he had an allegiance to Dana-Farber coming from his 12 years of PMC guide, he had now not been treated there. So I said, ’I’d like to get a second opinion at Dana-Farber,” said Campbell. “Because… I’m doing PMC now for 12 years…It might be nearly hypocritical if I didn’t.
He quickly turned able to get an appointment and was impressed using the care he obtained. The medical doctors, he said, handled his care in a professional but humane manner. They defined his treatment, their enjoy in treating cancer, and the way they were going to deal with Campbell’s tumor aggressively. Which, in step with Campbell, is what he desired and needed to listen to.
They had been tremendous,” said Campbell.
A larger village
Campbell said his lifestyle changed into very distinctive during his first most cancers remedy. For starters, he becomes unemployed and had no kids. Now, he’s part of multiple groups. He has two youngsters Ben, 7, and Lucy, five, and has obtained aid from the mother and father of his children’s classmates in addition to the college they attend. He needed to take depart from his work at TIAA.
His colleagues know of his situation. Another network he belongs to is Team Lick Cancer. Being a part of those groups have made this round of remedy special. People I don’t even recognize are bringing over dinners,” stated Campbell. Also, Campbell mentioned the help he received from his spouse, Jenn, whom he said changed into very grounding” about the scenario and having an assisting, tremendous outlook.
It’s exceptional to look the inner of your village,” stated Campbell.
A lengthy thank-you listing
Campbell stated teammates from Team Lick Cancer could force him to treatments and take a seat with him for the four of 5 hours of infusion. At one factor, Campbell said, crew participants met up with him at Dana-Farber’s PMC Bridge, positioned at their foremost building on Brookline Avenue in Boston, for a group photo on his last day of remedy again on January 15.
They had been all there to aid me on my closing day of remedy. Which remains a form of emotional,” stated Campbell. He reiterated his gratitude for the guide he has obtained from teammates and strangers and stated their guide has made him reevaluate how he helps others. You can’t likely thank all the humans,” Campbell said. “You try as plenty as you may, but your thank-you list simply goes on and on and on and on.
