Vinny I.    Tucson, Ariz.

Occupation:
Motivational public speaker

Age:
47

Type of Cancer:
Squamous cell carcinoma

Date of Diagnosis:
01/02/2005

Length of Remission:
2 months

Health History

I have a family history of cancer. I was diagnosed in January 2005.

The Diagnosis

I developed a sinus infection and I lost feeling on my upper left lip. I went to several doctors for a diagnosis. Initially, I had an incorrect diagnosis of shingles, and lost one month being treated for shingles and a sinus infection. It wasn’t until after minor surgery for my sinus infection that a biopsy was taken and it was discovered that I had squamous cell carcinoma, which only affects 5% of the world's population. My initial reaction was shock and disbelief. Mine is a very unique situation because I've been spinal cord injured for 29 years. I deal with the ramifications of my spinal cord injury on a daily basis and I wasn't sure if I could survive the surgery, much less continue living life as a quadriplegic without one eye.

The Journey Through Treatments

I went through a 13 1/2 hour surgery in which my left eye and sinus were removed. Complications included pneumonia and a pulmonary embolism which almost caused my death and kept me in the hospital for one month. One month later I went through radiation for 7 weeks and endured burns on my face as well as fatigue. My cancer reappeared in a lymph node on the left side of my neck 8 months later. Before Christmas I went through a 5 hour operation to remove 23 lymph nodes and was released from Mayo Clinic on Christmas Eve. Again, I had to undergo 7 more weeks of radiation which produced 2nd-3rd degree burns on my neck and shoulder. To date it has been almost 2 years since my last operation and if I survive for the next 2 years I will be cancer-free.

Life Lessons Learned

Being spinal cord injured for 29 years helped me in my mindset as I went through both surgeries and rehabilitation experiences. Quite honestly, in some ways it was like re-living my initial injury all over again. I had to learn how to live a new life seeing and breathing differently with only one eye and one sinus. I like to think of myself as a very strong and motivated person. I live each day the best I can, and live my life as if each day will be my last. I found out that I am one of only 2 quads in the world with this type of cancer. I have created a website www.theartofsurvival.net that I use to tell as many people around the world as I can about my story. I am proud to announce I have recently become engaged to the love of my life!

Advice to Others

Never accept cancer as being your final chapter in life. In working with my medical group, I wish they would have been more optimistic. Always remember to communicate your needs, keep fighting and live each day as if it's your last, no matter what.