Brian Lowe’s Battle with Throat Cancer
Ive started this GoFundMe page to help Brian Lowe and his family throughout his journey and battle with Squamous Cell Carcinoma. If any of you know Brian you would know the kind of father and husband he is. Brian truly sets the example of how life should be lived. Brian is currently an Engineer for the Los Angeles City Fire Department. His work ethic and passion for his job is above and beyond. Here are the details to his upcoming journey.
On June 15th, I was diagnosed with a common form of tongue and tonsil cancer, specifically, “HPV Positive Squamous Cell Carcinoma.”
How did I find out? I initially had a few lymph nodes enlarge on my right neck, which led to their biopsy and diagnosis. After several scans and exploratory surgery, I now know enough details to be able to share this with you.
My cancer is metastatic, meaning that it has spread to the lymph nodes on both sides of my neck, in addition to infiltrating my Thyroid gland (a rare anomaly for this type of cancer).
My surgery on the 20th of July confirmed that the primary site of the tumor originated in the right base of tongue and tonsil. However, the fact that it infiltrated my right Thyroid gland, and is now pushing on my esophagus is a whole other ballgame, and magnifies the complexity of resolve.
That being said, there are two positive pieces of news to report:
• There appears to be no spread anywhere else in the body, meaning that it is contained only to my neck area.
• This type of cancer is treatable and CURABLE! It has a super high prognosis of over 90%. This cancer is very sensitive to chemotherapy, and even more sensitive to Radiation therapy. As my oncologist put it, “this type of cancer just melts away like butter when radiated.” The Chemotherapy treatment ensures the elimination of any other potential cancer cells in the rest of the body’s system, like a kind of “mop-up”insurance.
Although the details of my treatment plan are still being formulated by my Oncology team, here is what I can share with you to the best of my knowledge:
I will be starting treatment beginning as early as Monday, August 2nd:
1) High Dose, dual cocktail Chemotherapy to shrink the Thyroid tumor away from my esophagus, in order to save my esophagus from probable death by radiation:
3 doses, 3 weeks apart, followed by a recovery phase & scans to confirm shrinkage.
Then…
2) Simultaneous chemotherapy and radiation treatment:
• 3-4 rounds of additional Chemotherapy, Three weeks apart
• 35 sessions of Radiation to both sides of my neck and Thyroid gland, Five days a week.
So, it will be about 5-6 months of treatments, followed by 3-4 months of recovery. At this point, I'll hopefully return to work while continuing speech therapy, and tongue & swallowing strengthening therapy, as well a lymphatic therapy to exhaust the remainder of built up edema in the neck's lymphatic system.
Although it will surely be a rough ride along the way, I am certain, without a doubt, that I will persevere. As my best friend put it, “You just gotta Embrace the Suck!” This really resonated with me, and I’ve adopted it as my new Mantra.
EMBRACE THE SUCK!
Throughout this whirlwind month of uncertainty, extreme emotions and several good cries, I’ve prepared my mindset to see this as an opportunity for emotional and spiritual growth, to see the world with greater clarity and purpose; to LIVE in the present moment with greater gratitude and love. Healing begins in the mind, and a healthier mindset directly affects our body’s chemistry and ability to HEAL.
I am grateful to be surrounded by the most loving, supportive, compassionate, and fun family & friends I could ask for. My “Village” is simply the best, hands down. But nothing compares to Mystical Hanna, my loving soulmate. She just so amazing and beautiful and awesome and…well, I’m just so so so lucky to have her at my side.
Jade, our daughter, has been a trooper! We have been open and transparent with her from the beginning, her knowing that Dadda has a baby tumor in the back of his throat and will need surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. She knows Dadda is gonna be cured, but she is most worried about the sound of me vomiting! So I told her that I’ll get her some ear plugs, and we’ll have a code word for when I’m about to hurl!
One last note, everyone is asking what they can do for me. First and foremost, there is no need to say sorry or apologize, PLEASE! If anything, I cherish comments of positive reinforcement, memes of inspiration, and quirky funny quotes. Build me up! Make me laugh, make me shed a tear positive emotion. Or, just simply tell me your thinking of me. This is the best thing you can do for me, and for my immune system! Remember, I’ve embraced this as a growth opportunity. I'm happy to talk about it, as this is my path, and it is what it is. Help me grow; grow with me!
AND SO BEGINS MY HEALING JOURNEY!
I love you all
