Patient Success Stories

Head and Neck Cancer Patient Grateful for Experienced, Caring Radiation Oncology Team

David McElmurray, of Harrisonburg, Virginia, was diagnosed with throat cancer in March, 2007, and received his treatment in the Head and Neck Oncology program at the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center. He and his wife and caregiver, Donna McElmurray, recently sat down with us on the day before his final radiation therapy treatment and shared their thoughts about the experience of living through cancer treatment.

Cancer survivor David McElmurray

What made you first suspect that you had cancer?

David: It began with a sore throat that just wouldn’t go away. I had a couple of rounds of antibiotics that didn’t seem to help at all, and I was still having trouble swallowing. Finally, I asked my endocrinologist at the Veterans Administration hospital here in Baltimore to refer me to a specialist. She sent me to her colleague, Dr. Rodney Taylor, an ear, nose and throat specialist located just across the street at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Dr. Taylor examined me and found a tumor in my throat. He did a biopsy that showed the mass was cancer. He said, “I want you to see my friend, Dr. Mohan Suntha, at the Greenebaum Cancer Center.” I had an appointment with Dr. Suntha within the week.

How serious was your type of cancer?

David: What I have is called squamous cell cancer of the right tonsil and soft palate. It was at Stage II when I was diagnosed, which means that it had not spread to any of my lymph nodes.

Because I have diabetes and other pre-existing health conditions – including a case of severe pancreatitis that resulted in the removal of my pancreas back in 1995, I was considered a high risk patient for cancer treatment. Dr. Suntha examined me and ordered a PET-CT scan. He met with the Head and Neck Oncology program tumor board, which is a group of experts in my particular type of cancer. They reviewed my case and discussed that best plan of treatment, given my condition, age, and stage of cancer.

What was your reaction to the news?

Donna: When you learn you have cancer, it feels like a long dark hole that you’re falling into for a long time. It’s very scary when you don’t know what’s going to happen. At first, we didn’t know if Dave would need surgery or not. Given all his other health problems, we really didn’t know if he would make it through this.

David: What made all the difference for us was Dr. Suntha. He presented us with a plan to attack the problem and he gave us the confidence that he and his team would help us through it. Everything he said came true.

What did your cancer treatment plan involve?

David: Dr. Suntha and his team thought that my cancer could be successfully treated with radiation therapy alone. They recommended that I have 35 daily treatments of radiation. The good news was that I didn’t need chemotherapy or surgery. They felt I could have a good outcome with just the radiation.

I was treated with a type of radiation called IMRT. It delivers a very powerful beam of radiation directly to the tumor without hurting the surrounding tissue. I had to lie on a table while they put a mask over my face to immobilize my head and neck. The actual treatment lasted only a few minutes. I spent the rest of the day napping and resting, because it made me very weak and tired.

You live four hours away, in Virginia. How did you manage the burden of daily treatments at UMGCC in Baltimore?

Donna: My two grown daughters and I did our homework and researched Dave’s condition and other options for being treated closer to home. We decided early on that he should have his treatment here, no matter what it took to get it done. We were that impressed with this place.

David: We wanted the best treatment possible, even if it meant being inconvenienced for awhile. We have our own painting and wall coverings business that we basically had to shut down for the whole time while I was in treatment. Even though it was a financial hardship to come here and stay, we felt that it was worth it if it meant I would have the best chance of a cure.

Donna: We checked into the Marriott Hotel across the street and lived there for the past six weeks, walking the two blocks to treatment in the Radiation Oncology Department each morning. The hotel has been very accommodating to us. They gave us a special discounted room rate for UMGCC patients. The chef prepared special pureed foods when Dave couldn’t eat regular solid food. They even provided us with a small fridge so that we could keep special food for Dave in our room.

Did you experience any other side effects from treatment?

David: I was very tired and I lost weight. My neck and shoulders were sore. At one point, I had an infection in my throat, which my nurse practitioner, Tiffani, explained was common with radiation. She wrote me a prescription and I felt better the next day. I drank diabetic Ensure and forced myself to keep eating so that I could keep up my strength. I had some skin irritation on my neck after awhile, but they gave me a cream that helped.

Donna: Dr. Suntha’s nurse practitioner, Tiffani Tyer and nurse, Donna Mitzel, were absolutely great. They were able to tell us exactly to expect before it ever happened, and immediately provided medicines or suggestions to ease the symptoms or discomfort. They and Dr. Suntha even gave us their home phone numbers and said “call us if you have any questions.” I did call them lots of times during the six weeks we’ve been here, and they always got back to us right away. They were never too busy to answer any question we had.

Now that you are finally finishing up with your treatment, what are your thoughts about the future?

David: I'm happy to be finishing treatment and looking forward to going home. Dr. Suntha feels that my prognosis is good, but we're not quite ready to celebrate yet. Right now I need to concentrate on building my strength back up. I'll be coming in for a check-up in six weeks, and then will be back for periodic follow-up visits.

We can’t say enough good things about the cancer center. My care here has been world class. We can’t express how grateful we are for the way we have been treated here.

Our two daughters visited during my treatment. When they saw the facilities in Radiation Oncology and met the staff and Dr. Suntha, they both told us that they knew we made the right decision to come here. The Radiation Oncology staff let us take them on a tour of the treatment area, so they got to see the high-tech equipment I was being treated with. They were relieved to know that I was in such good care.

Donna: This place saved my husband’s life. We’re both convinced that if it hadn’t been for this cancer center and Dr. Suntha, Dave wouldn’t be here today.

Editor’s Note: David recently posted the following comment on the cancer center’s Web site: “I was recently a recipient of your excellent care and treatment by Dr. Suntha’s positive cancer plan. I am doing well recuperating, and I thank you all in my prayers daily! David W. McElmurray

For more information on cancer diagnosis or treatment at the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, please call 1-800-888-8823. To reach the Department of Radiation Oncology directly, please call 410-328-0747.

If you have a story to share about your successful treatment for cancer at UMGCC, please contact the Web site editor at 410-328-8289.

This page was last updated on: June 29, 2007.