Patient Testimonial - ”For Those Who Fight for It, Life Has a Different Flavor…”

"For those who fight for it, life has a different flavor the sheltered will never know." Jeremy McClure says that is not his original quote, but that of Theodore Roosevelt, and those words ring true to him as a survivor of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.

Jeremy, now age 46, recalls feeling a lump in his neck for a couple of months and feeling like he had a bit of a sore throat as it hurt to swallow. But he rationalized it as just a head cold or a swollen lymph node. Then about 6 months later, he started bleeding from his throat, and he had to go to the Emergency Department because he could not stop the bleeding. Dr. Sarah Powell from Ear, Nose & Throat Consultants was brought in to consult with Jeremy and she ordered scans that confirmed a mass. A biopsy was conducted. The University of Nebraska Medical Center confirmed that it was Squamous Cell Carcinoma. That was December of 2020. 

“It was unnerving to learn I had cancer,” said Jeremy. “We lost family from it and my father was fighting at the same time. The hardest part was calling my kids to tell them the diagnosis. But Dr. Powell was reassuring and let me know that it was very treatable and had a high survival rate. The staff at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center were also very supportive and positive. This reassured me and provided some comfort.”

Jeremy frequently says he had a "mild case" of cancer as the probability of survival was high. This “mild case” of cancer required him to have 35 radiation treatments to his neck to target the cancer at the base of his tongue. He also had chemotherapy once a week.

Jeremy goes on to say, “I was assured that my treatments would be difficult, and they kept their promise. By the second week, I was experiencing difficulty in swallowing and increased mucositis (inflamed sore mouth) from the radiation.  My treatment also affected how food tasted. Everything I put in my mouth tasted like cleaning products. By the third week, I was unable to talk or eat. I lost 20 pounds in a week and 30 altogether. Due to this, I had a feeding tube placed into my stomach through my abdominal wall.”

Jeremy, a Sioux City police officer, ended up needing to take a month off work due to the fatigue and side effects of treatment. His last treatment was on March 15, 2021.

“Having cancer was one of the hardest things I have ever been through both physically and mentally,” says Jeremy. “I had to allow myself to be sick and let other people take care of me. What helped me get through my treatments was knowing that I had a high probability of survival. And while I was getting treatments, I met quite a few people who did not have such great odds. This developed a greater appreciation for life and to not take health for granted.”

Today it has been 2 years since Jeremy’s treatment and there is no evidence of the disease. He has regular monitoring appointments. He says having cancer has affected him. “I have a nice feeding tube scar and can't grow a beard anymore. Hardly a day goes by that I do not think about the experience. Some foods remind me of the chemo and I can no longer eat them.”

Jeremy notes that just because this was his experience, it does not mean it will be that way for all patients. There are different treatments for different cancers, and it affects people differently. The experience can impact patients differently. But he stresses the cancer patient and survivor community is very supportive and hopeful.

For patients just starting treatments Jeremy recommends, “Trust the process. Humble yourself to being ill but do not be meek. Fight as hard as you can and be optimistic.”

To the providers and staff at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center, Jeremy says, “Your support and care mean so much to patients and their families. The newest medicines, the best treatments, and the latest machines don't mean anything without dedicated, knowledgeable people who live their purpose. Thank you for all you do, every one of you.”

We are thankful to Jeremy for sharing a bit of his story at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center’s Rock the Cure event. This benefit concert raised funds for our Patient Assistance Program. Learn More Here