Battling the big “C”

Mark Franklin talks to the Times about his treatment for cancer

September 2010 is a month Mark Franklin will remember forever.
That’s when he went to Rarotonga hospital with a minor knee problem and ended up being referred by Dr Noovao to an Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon at Auckland Hospital.
Samples were taken from a prominent lump on the right side of Mark’s neck, they were tested and the lump was found to be a malignant tumor. It was in fact a secondary tumor. This was the scary part because it meant exploratory surgery was necessary to locate the primary tumor.
It all began six months earlier when Mark detected a lump on the right side of his neck. Dr Noovao referred him to his (Mark’s) GP in Auckland to have samples taken. The tests on these samples came back negative. He was advised to watch the lump did not grow larger. He was told not to worry.
On his way to Auckland for the second time, to consult the specialist, Mark faced the realization he had throat cancer. On the trip to Auckland he knew in himself it was serious. That flight was so stressful he developed a stress rash. The diagnosis at Auckland Hospital came within two hours and when it did he was shocked. There was disbelief and anger that the first tests had not picked the cancer up. He felt reasonably OK for a couple of days then when told the lump was malignant, the news struck home.
The surgeon told him not to worry too much as it did not mean curtains. It could be treated. This information did not help Mark much because there was so much uncertainty. At that time, it was not known where the primary cancer was located. Mark began to come to grips with the possibility of a shortened life.
Within two days of arriving at Auckland Hospital he underwent exploratory surgery on his throat and the primary source was located in the remnants of his tonsils which had been taken out when he was young. The affected tonsil was removed then the secondary tumor on the side of his neck had to be removed.
Mark underwent both radiation and chemo treatment. The intensive course of radiation treatment lasted seven weeks. As for chemo, there were three sessions over seven weeks, at the beginning, middle and end of the radiation treatments.
Each radiation session lasted for 40 minutes. At first it was painless. In the first week or two there was little in the way of side effects. However, after the third and fourth weeks, the inside of his throat became ulcerated, his saliva glands were destroyed and he developed mucositus which is a dry mucus in the mouth. He lost all sense of taste and smell and a complete loss of appetite. He suffered fatigue and pain. The discomfort was quite intense and peaked about a month after the treatment stopped.
Each chemo session lasted eight hours. Chemicals were fed into him by intravenous drip. The side effects were bad nausea and vomiting. It was very hard to keep food down and Mark had to force himself to eat. The chemo treatment caused tinnititus which is a constant ringing noise in both ears. It was emotionally draining and Mark did not want to see any family or friends. He just wanted to sleep.
Prior to treatment, Mark said he was warned about the side effects of the radiation and chemo treatment for this type of cancer but nothing prepared him for how bad it was.
Before the treatment began the hospital dentist checked his teeth. The reason being that any teeth likely to be a problem in future, had to be removed. This is because teeth removal after treatment, requires specialist, time consuming treatment in a decompression chamber.
During treatment he suffered weight loss of 15-20kg. After treatment he spent three months recovering and having weekly checkups.
Later scans of the affected neck area detected some activity so he underwent further surgery to remove lymph nodes. Later tests indicated negative which meant the radiation and chemo treatment had been successful.
Mark’s Doctors have informed him there is a very high chance the cancer will not reoccur but he will need to have regular checks for the next five years.
His recovery programme involves pain relief and anti nausea and dietary support.
Looking back on his life as to a probable cause for the cancer, Mark said he does not know of any certain cause but was told this type of cancer was prevalent in men over 50yrs of age. He thinks alcohol, tobacco and stress may have been factors.
He encourages men to have any lump checked early.
He is grateful to his sister, brother in law and partner for their strong support.
The Times also wishes Mark a full recovery.

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