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Mike Erwin
Diagnosis: Pharyngeal cancer
Mike Erwin first began experiencing problems with his voice in 1998, when he noticed it would fade in and out without warning. He consulted otolaryngologist and voice specialist Dr. Jan Petri, who examined him for possible polyps on his vocal cords. What she found was much worse—squamous cell carcinoma. After a biopsy confirmed the diagnosis, he underwent radiation therapy to treat the cancer. Fortunately, it was successful.
"I was cancer-free for the next five years," he says. "But then I began to feel a scratch in my throat. The feeling soon radiated to my right ear, so I went back to the doctor."
Dr. Petri referred Erwin to otolaryngologist and cancer specialist Dr. Sandeep Samant for an intensive evaluation. The exam showed that Erwin had a squamous cell carcinoma by his larynx. Dr. Samant advised against radiation and explained that chemotherapy was not as effective against this type of cancer. So on December 9, 2003, Erwin had a laryngectomy and jujenum flap procedure performed by Dr. Samant and plastic surgeon Dr. Robert Wallace.
While the surgery was successful in removing the cancer, it was not without its complications.
"I had to have emergency surgery with Dr. Wallace because I was hemorrhaging. He had to create a jejunum flap outside my neck to keep it alive. I had eight more surgeries because the flap died. We tried grafts, but we eventually had to do a pectoral flap."
Now aged 59, Erwin’s lifestyle has changed. He is on 100 percent disability from the Veterans Administration, due to the laryngectomy and previous Agent Orange exposure. He speaks with the assistance of an electronic larynx implanted in his cheek. He no longer smokes or drinks as he was prone to do in his younger years, and he takes special care of the area around his stoma by keeping it hydrated and covered. Every three months, he returns to the doctor to be sure the cancer has not returned.
"I’ve gained back about 50 pounds that I lost. I’m still a little bit sore, but I feel very healthy."
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