In January, 2004, Vinny and his parents moved to Tucson, Arizona with the hope of simplifying their lives and retiring in beautiful weather. Integlia had worked as a Human Resource Representative for Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, R.I. for two years. He provided design/graphic computer support for his area and was responsible for providing conflict resolution between managers and union reps. for six departments. He had hoped to find similar work in Arizona.

Together, they began the process of unpacking and learning a new lifestyle. In the midst of finding resources and employment, Vinny developed a severe sinus infection and eventually, a lump under his left eye. After several wrong diagnoses from doctors and minor surgery, a biopsy was taken. The Integlia family was shocked to learn that Vinny tested positive for squamous cell carcinoma of the left maxillary sinus. Its location was unusual; only 5% of the world’s population is diagnosed with this type of cancer.

With the help of his brother, who is a physician, he was fortunate to find one of the top surgeons in the U.S. who specialized in maxillary cancer surgery. He was located at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Scottsdale, AZ..

The surgery took over thirteen hours. The surgeons removed his left eye, sinus and a section of cheek bone. During the next month, he survived through Pneumonia and a Pulmonary Embolism. Seven weeks of radiation followed, including fatigue and hair loss.

Unlike facing the spinal cord injury that changed his life 27 years earlier, Vinny had to learn how to live life with several new disabilities. Additionally, the sight in his remaining eye was already compromised years ago due to a preexisting condition. Reading, using computers and driving became difficult. However, he was used to fighting adversity and made steady progress.

Unfortunately, the cancer reappeared in a lymph node below his left jaw bone eight months later. Vinny endured a three hour surgery in which twenty three lymph nodes were removed. One week of hospitalization followed and another seven weeks of radiation on his neck and shoulder.

Vinny was told that he was one of two Quadriplegics in the U.S. that had undergone this procedure. Integlia continued to rediscover his life and find meaning. With his parents' help, Vinny had to continue six week cancer checks to Scottsdale, which was three hours away. These checkups will continue (with less frequency as each year passes) until he reaches five years. The odds of his survival increase dramatically after the first two years. Initially, Vinny was given a 40% chance of survival after the first surgery.