I am a surgeon who was diagnosed with malignant melanoma under my thumbnail on July 21, 2021. For those of you who have been following my cancer journey, you know that my life changed suddenly at that time. I underwent amputation of half of my dominant right-hand thumb, underwent a sentinel node biopsy, and now am receiving a year of infusions of a drug called Keytruda. As a physician, I tried to explain these procedures in earlier blogs to help other melanoma patients understand the process better. My life has also changed in many ways to a simpler life, focusing more on wellness and spiritual transformation. I am certainly in favor of all the treatments that are offered by conventional medicine (surgery, radiation therapy, proton beam therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy); however, there are aspects in our own lives that we can control to maximize our outcomes and health (exercise, diet, mental health, avoidance of carcinogens). So where am I now?

I am eating healthy meals that provide immune-boosting ingredients that provide my body with what it needs to decrease inflammation.  This diet helps me to fight cancer, heal better, counter side effects of chemotherapy, and hopefully help me to have a more successful outcome.  Two awesome resources for me have been the following:

• Meals 4 Health and Healing- The Heimerdinger Foundation (hfmeals.org)- an organization providing organic meals and nutrition education free of charge, for people facing cancer.
• Anti-Cancer, A New Way of Life– a book by David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD, that I now provide to cancer patients both in and out of my practice.

I want to explain the story behind The Heimerdinger Foundation and convey a few facts about cancer. Meals 4 Health was founded by Kathie Heimerdinger whose husband, Mike (former Tennessee Titans Offensive Coordinator), passed away from cancer in 2011. Through their experiences, they became acutely aware of the huge burden a cancer diagnosis is on the whole family, not just emotionally and financially, but how it upends the whole family. This organization helps caregivers focus on their loved one, taking away the burden of decision making, shopping, and preparing meals that aid in healing and provide nourishment. The Heimerdinger Foundation, each week in the area of Nashville, Tennessee, USA, serves approximately 800 nutrient-dense servings to nearly 100 cancer patients and their caregivers so that those going through active cancer treatment can focus on healing. I have been a part of this program, and my new diet is exactly along the lines of the meals served by this organization. I will go into more detail in Part 2. There are many ways to support this organization on their website (hfmeals.org) by way of donation or volunteering.

I want to communicate a few facts about cancer from the World Health Organization (WHO), and then I will focus on a few tips regarding my healthy, anti-cancer diet. The following statistics were most recently updated this month, February, 2022, by the World Health Organization:

• Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, nearly 1 in 6 deaths.
• Approximately 1/3 of all deaths from cancer are due to tobacco use, high body mass index (obesity), alcohol consumption, low fruit and vegetable intake, and lack of physical activity.
• Cancer-causing infections (human papillomavirus, or HPV, and hepatitis) are responsible for approximately 1/3 of cancer cases in low- and middle-income countries.
• Many cancers can be cured if detected early and treated effectively.

A disturbing trend in the United States is a 29.6% increase in cancer rate in adolescents and young adults, ages 15-39, from 1973-2015. (Journal of the American Medical Association JAMA Netw Open. 2020 Dec 1;3(12):32027738) We look at the cancer rate rather than actual numbers to adjust for population growth. Rates of obesity have increased considerably in this time frame among children and young adults.

The WHO states that cancer can be reduced by the following:

• Not using tobacco
• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Eating a healthy diet, including fruits and vegetables
• Physical activity on a regular basis
• Avoiding or reducing consumption of alcohol
• Vaccination against HPV and Hepatitis B if you belong to a group for which it is recommended. (The HPV vaccine, or Gardasil, is helpful in preventing many of the head and neck cancers that I personally diagnose and treat regularly.)
• Avoiding ultraviolet exposure (use sunscreen when outside)
• Avoidance of air pollution and other chemicals that are known to be carcinogens.

The rising rates of cancer are concerning.  Cancer is more widespread today in the West and has been increasing since 1940. From the Anti-Cancer book, there are three major factors, among others, that have been in play the past 50 years:

1. The addition of highly refined sugar to our diet (causing inflammation, which negatively affects our immune system). Consumption of refined sugar has skyrocketed in the USA.
2. Changes in methods of farming and raising animals and, as a result, in our food (less of the healthy omega-3 fats and more of the unhealthy omega-6 fats).
3. Exposure to many chemical products that didn’t exist before 1940.

There are three principles to which I try to adhere in my diet. Certainly, there are days that are exceptions, particularly on infusion days, where I like to indulge more in a “comfort meal” and splurge on desserts! But overall, I have been strict.

1. I avoid over consumption of refined sugar. No more sugary drinks or other sweets. I now for the most part only drink coffee (slightly sweetened with agave nectar which in plant based and has a low glycemic index), green tea, and filtered water.
2. I avoid over consumption of omega 6 fats by having a diet low in animal fats (less meat and dairy products).
3. I choose a Mediterranean type of diet, high in fruits and vegetables, with more seafood, and try to eat more organic foods, avoiding processed foods.

More to come in Part 2. Feel free to lend your support to Meals for Health (hfmeals.org) if you live in the Nashville area and are looking to donate your financial support or time for a good cause. My next infusion is next Thursday, February 24. Thanks for taking this journey with me.

For those of you who have been following my cancer journey, you know that my life changed suddenly last year when I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of melanoma, underwent amputation of half of my dominant right-hand thumb, underwent a sentinel node biopsy, and now am receiving a year of infusions of a drug called Keytruda. My last round of imaging studies revealed no evidence of recurrent cancer to date. My next infusion treatment is on February 24, 2022.

While continuing to receive my cancer infusions, I have focused not only on returning to work as a surgeon, but also on achieving more balance in my life. One such way for both me and my wife Kellee was to downsize our house. Sometimes it is good to share some of the uplifting moments in our lives:

We moved to our new home (built in the 1960s) 3 months ago. Kellee and I wanted to have a special painting commissioned to display prominently in the sitting area of our home, just inside our front entry. We asked our good friend and artist, Christy Frank (@christyfrankart), to create the perfect painting, in an impressionism style, incorporating our existing colors. She met with us in the space and began to create this special piece. I have posted some of the steps along the way in this blog.

There is some back story, in that Christy’s husband, Dr. Robert Frank, is one of the ear, nose, and throat surgeons, in my group. They have both been a part of my story this past year from my diagnosis through treatment. In fact, as I write this episode, I am on call for our practice for the first time since my diagnosis and surgery last summer in 2021. It took a while for me to work my way back to the office and the operating room to the point that I would feel comfortable in the event of a surgical emergency that would require my attention. I was scheduled to be on call over Christmas, but Dr. Frank graciously covered my call despite having a new 3-month-old baby daughter at home for her first Christmas.

Christy named this piece, Rejoice, to express the waterfall of emotions that she felt during the creation. In her own words, she shared to me and Kellee, “Your physical, emotional, and mental journeys that have been coupled with the immense spiritual component were at the forefront of my mind.” This was one of her quickest creations ever because of our personal connections.  She says she “could not put down that brush!”

I hope you all can appreciate this work now hanging in our home. As I drank coffee and sat in our sitting area this morning, I reflected on this work and how it will be a beautiful reminder to me for many years to come. As I see it every day, it will remind me of light and hope. Another word that comes to mind is “thankfulness.” It will help me Rejoice in my victory over melanoma and remind me of God’s grace. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4

For those of you who have been following my cancer journey, you know that my life changed suddenly last summer when I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. I underwent amputation of half of my dominant right-hand thumb, underwent a sentinel node biopsy, and now am receiving a year of infusions of a drug called Keytruda. At this point, my most recent imaging studies revealed me to be free of recurrent disease, and I am scheduled to receive my next infusion of Keytruda later this month.

My Otolaryngology practice is picking up to a more normal pace of clinic, office surgeries, and operating room cases. I have developed a deeper relationship with my patients as I have transitioned from physician to patient and back to physician again. I appreciate all the prayers and support from so many of my patients that are following my progress through this website.

Yesterday, I met a new patient who presented with longstanding sinus problems.  As always, I reviewed her medical record, performed a physical examination, and made some treatment recommendations. As a physician of many years, sometimes I just have a “sixth sense” when something is not right with a patient. She had the look of anxiety and stress on her face. I stopped and made eye contact with her, and asked her, “Are you OK?” Tears began to flow from her eyes as she shared with me that her husband died suddenly this past November. He was in distress at home, and an ambulance was summoned, but he suffered cardiac arrest on the way to the hospital. She is now alone in Nashville, with no family close by. In addition, she is a cancer survivor, but has battled recurrence, and was scheduled for a whole-body PET scan the next day. My own health situation has given me a platform and testimony. I shared with her my battle with cancer and ongoing chemotherapy. We talked about how only cancer patients who have been there can really understand the anticipation and anxiety of the approaching date for imaging studies (MRI, CT, PET scans) that are part of routine surveillance and evaluating for recurrent disease. The waiting period prior to the study, the time spent in the scanner, and the waiting period for results can be agonizing. And then if the news is good, it is almost like a weight off one’s shoulders.

I asked her if she was a person of faith, and she said yes. I talked about our lives on earth, and how God helps us through our earthly suffering on the way to our eternal home where we will be restored with Him forever.  She has the same world view as me, and I believe she sincerely appreciated our “time-out” from her ENT problem. Sometimes, a doctor just needs to listen. Maybe we all should take the time to listen to others. Be kind because you never know what someone else is going through.

That’s all I have for today! Soon to follow are some cancer-beating health tips. Peace to all of you!