My name is Adam. I live in a small town with normal expenses, and until November 24, 2024, I led a normal, quiet life.

Each day, I went to work at a job I'd held for 2 years. I enjoyed and looked forward to every day as I never knew what I would learn or get to partake in. The job itself ranged from landscaping to demo, to home improvement and construction. Unfortunately, I'd had a sore throat for 6 months that I associated with allergies. Only this day, I struggled to breathe to the point of panic.

The minute I was off work, I went to the Urgent Care facility nearest me, where I was instructed to go to the nearest emergency room. I was also made to promise I would not deviate, as the healthcare workers were astounded by the stridor I was producing with the labor of each breath. (Stridor is noise created when there is an obstruction in the throat, similar to wheezing but very discernible in serious situations.)

Upon my arrival at the ER in the nearest town having one, they immediately rushed me back, and within an hour and a half, I received news I was not expecting. I had a mass in my throat, and the lead doctor and nurse came in to give me the news. They wanted to schedule an immediate tracheostomy since my airway was blocked 95%.

Being my stubborn self, I signed out against medical advice (AMA), but this was to leave to at least tell my mother in person, who had just received a mastectomy about 2 to 3 months prior.

I then went home to digest this info and to inform my boss. I was totally lost on actions to take as I had no insurance and was not used to being sick or going to the doctor. However, I returned the next day to the hospital, where in less than an hour, I would undergo the first surgery of my life, but only one of many to follow.

It was confirmed that I had Laryngeal Cancer, and I would undergo a laryngectomy and be in recovery for a long and indeterminate amount of time.

In the weeks to follow, I would participate in several swallow test studies, which determined my ability to ingest food. Several of these I would fail, and the night after my initial test, my lingual artery would rupture. Hours of blood loss would pass with no one having a clue of knowing the source, simply because of the rarity of the event. I would finally undergo my third surgery. This would entail my throat being cut from ear to ear. I honestly had accepted my fate that night, and I will say the application of rhino rockets in the nostrils really helped that acceptance. Anyone who has experienced those will understand.

Afterwards, I would have a PEG tube surgically implanted in my stomach for nutrients. Note that I had not eaten this entire time but was given glucose via IV. Then, after another swallow test, I would undergo 2 more surgeries on January 2nd and the 5th to repair fistulas. Fistulas are leaks or holes between my esophagus and my airway.

After a few months of recovery, and those of you knowing me personally know I love to eat, I was finally able to start ingesting soft food again. It has never tasted the same.

I also underwent 25 treatments of radiation, which caused a lot of irritation in my mouth and esophagus as well as my airway and led to excessive coughing that would cause a diaphragmatic hernia. It is the most recent surgery (July 3rd) and has proven to be the most painful as I'm still coughing, which doesn't go well with abdominal surgery. The radiation has caused my teeth to all be loose and relocate in my mouth, which I was very fortunate to find a charitable dentistry for my dental needs, and I am so very thankful.

I've experienced a lot of good fortune with Ballad and their generosity. Without them and their staff, I'm sure I would not be here.

But here is my dilemma. I still owe doctors, surgeons, and many other healthcare facilities and organizations for their services. I've been out of work, and it kills me to admit that I have been seeking disability since this incident has taken place, but there is money needed for survival in the meantime. I've always enjoyed working and taken pride in every job I've ever had. So this pains me greatly. I know in my heart it's just another trial and obstacle of which I will succeed. However, I can't ask those around me to put their lives on hold, although so many have gone above and beyond. I owe bills and rent, and I've ridiculously waited until the last minute. It has taken much persuasion to reach the point of asking for help, and I'm eternally grateful to anyone who is able and willing to do so.

I hope I've not written to the extent of boring people away, and I hope others will realize the importance of seeking insurance if available and going to a doctor for early detection. I sadly and regrettably hoped my condition would pass along with beholding youthful beliefs of invincibility. It's taken me a long time to convince myself I'm worthy of donations as well as accepting sympathy from others. I used to boast about never having had a surgery in my 45 years of existence, and now I guess I will boast about surviving 7 of them in 6 months.

Thank you all for your time and kindness, and God bless each and every one.