Join Ken's team and their battle against cancer!

First of all, I want to thank you so much for spending your valuable time to read my story. I have always believed "time" to be extremely valuable and now even moreso.

My story is rather long, but I feel it’s important to tell it in complete detail. One, because if you are going to donate, you deserve the details. Two, as you read, you will see that it is not only the cancer that i am fighting, it is the medical "care" system and insurance industry. Third, perhaps someone will gain some helpful information and help them in some way with any health challenge that they may be facing.

Speaking of helpful information. I would like to recommend the book "Cured" by Dr. Jeffrey Rediger. It is helping me tremendously and hopefully, it will help you too.

Christmas Eve 2019, I was diagnosed with throat cancer. Specifically, invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Throat cancer!? Me!? I have never smoked and I have always followed a healthy lifestyle, proper diet, regular exercise, and activities to help reduce stress and feed my spiritual side. For Example, I practiced TaeKwonDo for 20 years, and reached 4th degree black belt. For 15 years, I owned and operated an after school martial arts program. In hopes to teach children how to benefit from all of its lessons. Anyway,

After treatment in 2020, it seemed it was completely gone.

April, 16 2023, while driving home after a show, I am a musician by the way, I went to scratch my neck and felt an almond sized lump on the right side of my neck. (you can see 1 of the 2 in the picture)

April 17th. I called my Primary “Care” Physician, only to find out that the organization for which he works, Tampa Family Healthcare, had stopped accepting my insurance 3 months prior. And, no one bothered to let me know. So, I began searching for another PCP. I found CANO Health in the provider list and called for an appointment. The earliest I could get in was May 5th. (+3 weeks)

In the meantime, I had to do something, so I resumed my research on the Internet, reading studies on the NIH website, reading and listening to books, watching Youtube videos and documentaries. As the first time I had cancer, I wanted to learn everything I could to help myself with this challenge. And, since medical science, technology and studies are advancing so quickly, I am happy to say that I have learned much more, and added them to my arsenal of weapons to beat this cancer once and for all.

I managed to make an appointment to get a head and neck image on May 4th. May 3rd. They called me and told me I needed a referral from my PCP, who I had not seen yet, before I could get the scan. They told me “your insurance won’t pay for it”. I asked, “how much would it be out of pocket?” she answered, “you can not pay cash, BECAUSE YOU HAVE INSURANCE” WHAT!? “You mean, If I come down there now, with enough cash to pay for an X-ray, you will not accept my cash”? “Sorry, no” ????

Appointment canceled. STRESS

May 5th. I see my new primary care Physician, well I see a nurse. In fact, I have been going to CANO health for approximately 6 months and have yet to see an actual Doctor.??? Anywho, the Nurse orders a referral to see an oncologist and blood work. I found an Oncologist at Tampa General.

Dr. Mayer Fishman (remember that name) The Earliest appointment available is June 15th. 6 weeks out. More Stress

So, I continue my studies and self treatments. Keto Diet, a large number of supplements, exercise, when I can muster the energy, and meditation to try and lower stress levels. By the way, At this point I began to have dizzy spells. It started with just getting up too fast, so I blew it off. Then the dizziness lasted longer and got worse. I felt like I had been drinking alcohol. I researched and learned to manage it with Dramamine (motion sickness pills).

All of my testing supplies

May 15th. I received an automated message from “Doctor” Fishman’s office, the appointment has been moved to June 29th. Even more Stress

Not wanting to wait an additional 2 weeks, I went back to my PCP to see if I could get an earlier appointment with another Oncologist. I’ll spare you the details here. Suffice it to say the whole ordeal was extremely stressful. I had no luck getting to see another oncologist any sooner.

June 29, I see Dr. Fishman. Feels the lump, and says, "I am very optimistic" I told him that I was also feeling something odd on right side of my tongue towards the back. He said, "open and let me take a look" and proceeds to take a picture with his cell phone. ??? No tongue depressor, no say ahh, he did not even use a light. Hardly a thorough examination. He writes an order for a MRI/CT with contrast, and sends me on my way. 10 minute exam for a potential returning cancer. ??

2 weeks to get the MRI, 2 more weeks to follow up to review.

Aug. 2nd I have a Teladoc appointment, when "Doctor" Fishman tells me "I see no signs of cancer or any reason for concern. Before I can ask, he even says " I see no need for a needle biopsy." He did recommend that I see an ENT about the lump. He also schedules a follow up for mid November. OK! Great News! RIGHT? Feeling extremely relieved, I relax a little on my very strict diet and stop taking a lot of the supplements.

August 16th. The ENT reviews the images, comes back in and shows me the lump on the side of my neck, but also, an additional larger lump in my throat, at the base of my tongue! He states that he is very concerned and recommends a needle biopsy ASAP. MAJOR STRESS

ENT Dr. Hsu, pointing out the 2nd tumor. This is the same image Dr. Fishman saw.

August 29, I go in for the biopsies. BTW. The doctor to perform that procedure eluded to only doing the lump on the side of my neck?? I don't know, to save time??? Of course I reminded him that the reason I was there for a "guided needle biopsy" was because of the location of the second lump, which was right next to my carotid artery. "Complete" procedure performed.

September 8th. The ENT Calls to tell me that there is in fact evidence of cancer.

I was going to place a photo of the results from the needle biopsies, but can not find it.

So, I will have to get a copy from Advent health.

As you can imagine, I have been quit scatterbrained lately. Anywhoooo

I call my original oncologist, Dr. Fishman, to tell him the results, and hopefully to get back in to see him and start a treatment plan. Over the next 3 weeks I messaged back and forth with his assistant trying to get an appointment. Yes, you read right. He misdiagnoses me and does not bother to respond, AT ALL!!

So, I contacted my ENT, By the way, His name is Doctor Kevin Hsu with Florida ENT and Allergy. He and his staff have been a saving grace for me, both in being thorough and finding the tumors and helping me find another oncologist.

One more thing about the good "Doctor" Fishman. When I spoke to Doctor Hsu's office, they told me that they had been in touch with Fishman's office. Fishman's office told them, "he already has an appointment in November, which was still 6 weeks away.

It has already been 7 months since I discovered the tumor. Thanks to a complacent doctor and the horrible healthcare system, I still have not received any treatment.

However, I still remain optimistic about the outcome. I am now making some significant advances toward treatment and complete remission. :)

I have seen my new oncologist and a radiation oncologist. And, I have appointments to see two oncological surgeons for their opinion on removing one or both of the tumours, before treating with chemo and/or radiation. I will keep everyone posted.

There are many treatments for cancer, which can be done alongside "standard of care" treatments.

These treatments address the underlying cause of cancer and they can also lessen the side effects of Chemo and radiation therapies. These treatments will improve overall health and severely lessen the chances of recurrence. I am currently looking into several Wellness Centers which provide this type of treatment/s. I will include that information as I learn.

WOW! If you have made it to the end, well the end for now? I want to thank you again for your time and consideration.