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Fred W.¡¯s Story
Fred W., age 76, lives in California and began smoking at age 16. He smoked a pack and a half of cigarettes every day for 35 years. He smoked heavily while working at his father’s music store because he was around musicians and customers who smoked.
At age 49, Fred felt his voice beginning to get hoarse. He visited his doctor every three months to monitor and protect his voice. Three years later, he was diagnosed with throat cancer from smoking. Fred quit smoking shortly after this news as he prepared for surgery.
Fred needed a full laryngectomy to remove the cancer – this meant his larynx (voice box) had to be removed. He now has a stoma (a surgically created opening) in his throat that allows him to breathe and a laryngeal implant that allows him to speak. Fred’s life dramatically changed after his diagnosis and surgery. He had to give up activities he cherished, such as playing his favorite musical instrument, the saxophone, and spending time at the beach.
He recognizes his health condition affected not only his children but also his wife, Kathy. She is his biggest supporter and caregiver. He often worries about what she goes through daily with different aspects of his care, including helping to clean and maintain his stoma.
Fred shares his story, hoping to inspire people who smoke to quit so they do not lose the things he’s lost.
“You have a chance for a beautiful life,” Fred says. “Quit smoking now.”
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Fred W.’s Biography
Fred W., age 76, lives in California and began smoking at age 16. He smoked a pack and half of cigarettes every day for 35 years. He smoked heavily while working at his father’s music store because he was around musicians and customers who smoked.
At age 49, Fred felt his voice beginning to get hoarse. He started having doctor’s visits every three months to monitor and protect his voice.
Three years later, Fred developed nodes on his vocal cords, and he was diagnosed with throat cancer from smoking. Fred quit smoking shortly after this news as he prepared for surgery. “I remember sitting in the parking lot after that appointment thinking, ‘I really don’t want to die,’” Fred says.
Fred needed a full laryngectomy to remove the cancer—this meant his larynx (voice box) had to be removed. He now has a stoma (a surgically created opening) in his throat that allows him to breathe and a laryngeal implant that allows him to speak.
Fred’s life dramatically changed after his diagnosis and surgery. He had to give up activities he cherished, such as playing his favorite musical instrument, the saxophone. Fred felt sad to give up playing this instrument, since his family was deeply committed to music, and he owned a music store. Fred loved spending time at the beach and was heartbroken when he realized he had to give up body surfing because he could damage his stoma or even worse, drown.
“You give up a lot without knowing it until it isn’t there,” Fred says. “And the people in your life are affected, too.”
Fred is sad about how his smoking-related cancer affected his family. When his kids were growing up, they sometimes felt anxious about how the stoma affected his appearance and how he talked.
He recognizes his health condition affected not only his children but also his wife, Kathy. She is his biggest supporter and caregiver. He often worries about what she goes through daily with different aspects of his care, including helping to clean and maintain his stoma.
Fred shares his story, hoping to inspire people who smoke to quit so they do not lose the things he’s lost.
“You have a chance for a beautiful life,” Fred says. “Quit smoking now.”
