Throat Cancer Hit by Team of Experts

“No one in this family fights alone.” A husband’s powerful words reinforced the battle against throat cancer for his wife – a woman who had struggled with multiple sclerosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The battle won, antique-restorer Anna Murdza would later say that the Henry Ford team gave her hope, not promises. And it was hope that motivated her during her tough treatment for throat cancer.

After doing foster care for many years in Dearborn, Anna and her husband Tony now enjoy their home in rural Gladwin and their Amish neighbors. Family is important to them – so important that Anna finally stopped smoking the day her grandson was born.

Cough drops for undiagnosed cancer

Twenty-five years later, cough drops became her go-to medication for a sore throat and six-month cough. Blood in her saliva sent Anna to a local doctor. The doctor sent Anna to a specialist. She chose her decades-long caregivers at Henry Ford, even though it meant a five-hour, round-trip drive.

A breathing test. A scope. An obstruction found. Then Anna was admitted to Henry Ford in West Bloomfield for a next-day awake biopsy, the worst day of her life.

Within 24 hours, she and her husband heard the results. Stage 2 throat cancer, close to her vocal cords and at the entrance to the windpipe.

He sobbed. She faked bravery for his sake.

“We’re in the best hands. We’ve got God, our family and these doctors,” she recalls saying. “I have inner strength, and the will to fight.”

High-powered treatment

Anna’s otolaryngologist, Vivian Wu, M.D., explained that there were experts at Henry Ford in downtown Detroit who could do magnificent things – things that aren’t available in small rural communities. Plus, all aspects of her case would be reviewed by a robust 30-member, multidisciplinary team on the tumor board including – a surgeon, oncologist, radiologist, pathologist, speech-language pathologist, dietician, psychologist, social worker, nurse practitioner and a nurse navigator to lead her through the treatment maze. Even the hospital dentist was part of the tight-knit team because radiation treatment is hard on the teeth, says Dr. Wu.

During treatment, Anna and Tony would stay with their daughter Sandra and their family in Westland. Their son Anthony would provide emotional support from Arizona.

Radiation oncologist Farzan Siddiqui, M.D., Ph.D., would deliver 35 fractions (doses) of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to Anna’s vocal cords. Nearly seven weeks of treatment would impair Anna’s ability to swallow food and cause intense pain, which was managed by Dr. Siddiqui. Anna was determined to get through treatment without a feeding tube, and her family was determined to help her.

“My husband and daughter prepared everything the dieticians suggested. They pulverized the food and made smoothies,” says Anna, 69. “Through God’s grace and my daughter’s and husband’s cooking, I didn’t lose any weight and didn’t need a feeding tube.”

But mid-way through radiotherapy, Anna lost her voice.

“I had to whisper, so everyone else talked in whispers during meals. It was so beautiful,” says Anna. “For months, the whole family – grandkids included – kept whispering until I regained my voice.”

Throat cancer treatment completion

“On the day I finished radiation, Dr. Siddiqui showed me the slides of the tumor on my vocal cords. The next slide showed that the tumor was totally gone. I fell apart crying,” says Anna. “I am so grateful for everything God has given me through this hospital. I’ve never met such compassionate doctors who really cared about the person. I was treated like royalty.”

“Anna had a positive attitude and support from her wonderful husband,” says Dr. Wu. “That was very helpful, even when they were both very concerned.”

Positively looking back

It’s been nearly five years since Anna saw those slides of her tumor. Now, with clean scans and an abundance of gratitude, she offers advice.

“Don’t be afraid to trust other people who know about your disease. I had to put my trust in Dr. Wu, Dr. Siddiqui, the dieticians, the speech therapist – everyone. They all had my back,” says Anna. “Insecurity will creep in, but when you have so many positives around you, you can leave the negatives and move on. People weren’t always smiling and happy, but they’d often say, ‘We’re having a good day today.’”

“It would have been too hard to do this if I did not have the positive words of my doctors. I’d repeat their words over and over again,” she says. “And I kept forcing myself to do all the things I needed to do to get well.”

Find support or form a family of strangers, Anna suggests. Share your feelings with loved ones or counselors. The more support you get, the better you are.

Most important, Dr. Wu advises former smokers of all ages not to ignore an unresolved cough, voice changes or difficulty swallowing. Dental checkups are critical because dentists can identify possible cancer symptoms in the mouth.

Says Anna, “I have a beautiful family and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye. Not then. Not now. I’ve made it 52 years with my husband, and now I’m shooting for 60.”