About Me:
I was diagnosed with throat cancer at the age of 33. I was on vacation and just couldn't get over what I thought was a cold. I went to the Emergency room and a couple of other Doctor's that kept telling me that it was "just a cold' and they'd prescribe antibiotics. I'm sure you've heard of a "Doc In The Box". Well I finally went to one of those and he's the one that told me it sounded like throat cancer (He was nice like your Doctor), and he suggested an ENT.
After the diagnosis, biopsy, 48 radiation treatments (no chemo luckily), he told me I was CANCER FREE... until I went on vacation again, (I guess I shouldn't vacation much) and I started getting sick again. I couldn't get out of bed. I went back to the ENT that treated me and he told me to go home and quit worrying. He said "You are cancer free"! Not!!!
I immediately went downstairs in that hospital to my Family MD and he was concerned about the symptoms and said that I needed to have a PET Scan. If you knew what a PET scan was when you were going through this, then I can claim you're "Dumbest Man in The World" title. I didn't have a pet and didn't know why I'd need to have my pet scanned just because I didn't feel good anyway.
A couple of days later the results were back and there was something on the scan but they couldn't be sure what it was without a biopsy.
I had to go back to the same ENT that had just told me I was cancer free.
A week later I had the biopsy and the results were that I had advanced to stage 3 during all the radiation treatments. I'm really not so sure that they were even radiating the right spot because It started out at less than stage 1.
To make a long story short, I pretty much went through the same thing you did. I traveled to a different state for treatment because they told me that my only alternative was to have a complete laryngectomy. I knew at the age of 33, I didn't want to lose my voice. I was also very close to 2 small children that couldn't understand why I didn't sound the same and I didn't want them to be afraid of me if I used the voice machine.
I spent 13 day's in Philadelphia Pennsylvania and the cut me from ear to ear just like they did you. My voice is very gruff and it's hard to understand me until you've been around me awhile. I get tired of people hanging up on me when I call them on the phone because they think I'm an obscene phone caller. I get called at every drive thru that I go to (there must be a lot of rough talking women that go to drive thru's) and everybody make the comment when I'm in public places that they don't want to catch what I've got. It always make's me feel a little better when I get to say "I don't think you'll catch this".
Your story was inspiring. It helps to know that I'm not the only one.
I recently decided to do something to help other people and I'm in the process of trying to get everything together so that I can do what I've done for years. Race. I've started searching for sponsorship and people that will share in my goal. I know I have an obstacle to overcome with my voice being a small problem. I use to think it was a huge problem.
I was recently ask to do a radio interview "On Pit Row" with Charlie & Steve. I have to admit that I never thought it would work, but they kept assuring me that they could fix it to where people would be able to understand me. I would love for you to go on there and listen to it. I was also on Burning Rubber Radio with Andy and you can listen to the interview in there archives.
Thanks Ricky
About Me:
I was diagnosed with throat cancer at the age of 33. I was on vacation and just couldn't get over what I thought was a cold. I went to the Emergency room and a couple of other Doctor's that kept telling me that it was "just a cold' and they'd prescribe antibiotics. I'm sure you've heard of a "Doc In The Box". Well I finally went to one of those and he's the one that told me it sounded like throat cancer (He was nice like your Doctor), and he suggested an ENT.
After the diagnosis, biopsy, 48 radiation treatments (no chemo luckily), he told me I was CANCER FREE... until I went on vacation again, (I guess I shouldn't vacation much) and I started getting sick again. I couldn't get out of bed. I went back to the ENT that treated me and he told me to go home and quit worrying. He said "You are cancer free"! Not!!!
I immediately went downstairs in that hospital to my Family MD and he was concerned about the symptoms and said that I needed to have a PET Scan. If you knew what a PET scan was when you were going through this, then I can claim you're "Dumbest Man in The World" title. I didn't have a pet and didn't know why I'd need to have my pet scanned just because I didn't feel good anyway.
A couple of days later the results were back and there was something on the scan but they couldn't be sure what it was without a biopsy.
I had to go back to the same ENT that had just told me I was cancer free.
A week later I had the biopsy and the results were that I had advanced to stage 3 during all the radiation treatments. I'm really not so sure that they were even radiating the right spot because It started out at less than stage 1.
To make a long story short, I pretty much went through the same thing you did. I traveled to a different state for treatment because they told me that my only alternative was to have a complete laryngectomy. I knew at the age of 33, I didn't want to lose my voice. I was also very close to 2 small children that couldn't understand why I didn't sound the same and I didn't want them to be afraid of me if I used the voice machine.
I spent 13 day's in Philadelphia Pennsylvania and the cut me from ear to ear just like they did you. My voice is very gruff and it's hard to understand me until you've been around me awhile. I get tired of people hanging up on me when I call them on the phone because they think I'm an obscene phone caller. I get called at every drive thru that I go to (there must be a lot of rough talking women that go to drive thru's) and everybody make the comment when I'm in public places that they don't want to catch what I've got. It always make's me feel a little better when I get to say "I don't think you'll catch this".
Your story was inspiring. It helps to know that I'm not the only one.
I recently decided to do something to help other people and I'm in the process of trying to get everything together so that I can do what I've done for years. Race. I've started searching for sponsorship and people that will share in my goal. I know I have an obstacle to overcome with my voice being a small problem. I use to think it was a huge problem.
I was recently ask to do a radio interview "On Pit Row" with Charlie & Steve. I have to admit that I never thought it would work, but they kept assuring me that they could fix it to where people would be able to understand me. I would love for you to go on there and listen to it. I was also on Burning Rubber Radio with Andy and you can listen to the interview in there archives.
Thanks Ricky
About Me:
I was diagnosed with throat cancer at the age of 33. I was on vacation and just couldn't get over what I thought was a cold. I went to the Emergency room and a couple of other Doctor's that kept telling me that it was "just a cold' and they'd prescribe antibiotics. I'm sure you've heard of a "Doc In The Box". Well I finally went to one of those and he's the one that told me it sounded like throat cancer (He was nice like your Doctor), and he suggested an ENT.
After the diagnosis, biopsy, 48 radiation treatments (no chemo luckily), he told me I was CANCER FREE... until I went on vacation again, (I guess I shouldn't vacation much) and I started getting sick again. I couldn't get out of bed. I went back to the ENT that treated me and he told me to go home and quit worrying. He said "You are cancer free"! Not!!!
I immediately went downstairs in that hospital to my Family MD and he was concerned about the symptoms and said that I needed to have a PET Scan. If you knew what a PET scan was when you were going through this, then I can claim you're "Dumbest Man in The World" title. I didn't have a pet and didn't know why I'd need to have my pet scanned just because I didn't feel good anyway.
A couple of days later the results were back and there was something on the scan but they couldn't be sure what it was without a biopsy.
I had to go back to the same ENT that had just told me I was cancer free.
A week later I had the biopsy and the results were that I had advanced to stage 3 during all the radiation treatments. I'm really not so sure that they were even radiating the right spot because It started out at less than stage 1.
To make a long story short, I pretty much went through the same thing you did. I traveled to a different state for treatment because they told me that my only alternative was to have a complete laryngectomy. I knew at the age of 33, I didn't want to lose my voice. I was also very close to 2 small children that couldn't understand why I didn't sound the same and I didn't want them to be afraid of me if I used the voice machine.
I spent 13 day's in Philadelphia Pennsylvania and the cut me from ear to ear just like they did you. My voice is very gruff and it's hard to understand me until you've been around me awhile. I get tired of people hanging up on me when I call them on the phone because they think I'm an obscene phone caller. I get called at every drive thru that I go to (there must be a lot of rough talking women that go to drive thru's) and everybody make the comment when I'm in public places that they don't want to catch what I've got. It always make's me feel a little better when I get to say "I don't think you'll catch this".
Your story was inspiring. It helps to know that I'm not the only one.
I recently decided to do something to help other people and I'm in the process of trying to get everything together so that I can do what I've done for years. Race. I've started searching for sponsorship and people that will share in my goal. I know I have an obstacle to overcome with my voice being a small problem. I use to think it was a huge problem.
I was recently ask to do a radio interview "On Pit Row" with Charlie & Steve. I have to admit that I never thought it would work, but they kept assuring me that they could fix it to where people would be able to understand me. I would love for you to go on there and listen to it. I was also on Burning Rubber Radio with Andy and you can listen to the interview in there archives.
Thanks Ricky
Ricky Byers Racing - Story of a True Cancer Survivor ...
by RickyB1363. on Sep 19, 2009 6:16 AM PDT in Ricky's Articles 8 comments
Hi, I'm Ricky Byers and I am a 2 time cancer survivor. I wake up every morning with a true sense of accomplishment. I just love life. Knowing that you can beat cancer is truly a great feeling.
At the age of 33, I was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Little did I know that I was about to fight the biggest fight of my life to date. During my 5 year fight against Laryngeal (Throat) cancer, my biggest inspiration came from the 7 time Tour De France winner, Lance Armstrong.
Reading Lance’s story and using all the tools that are available to all cancer patient’s on his website, was an absolute lifesaver for me. Knowing that it is possible to beat this and knowing that people like Lance have spent their lives raising money for research, cures and helping cancer patient’s find information about their illness is truly amazing!
The thing that I want most in life now is to help Lance in his fight for Cancer patient’s.
I may never have the opportunity to meet Lance in person, but I am determined to help him in this fight.
My passion has always been in racing.
I have raced for over 20 years in numerous types of automobile racing, but no race in my life will be more important than the race to the finish line for cancer.
I know that a lot of money and awareness can be raised for cancer research.
I know this disease can be fought.
I know that every family will one day be touched by this horrible illness and I want to do everything in my power to help get rid of it.
My goal for 2010 is to be in the Arca Remax Series or the Camping World Truck Series to raise money for cancer research and awareness. I want to partner with sponsors that share in my belief, that cancer can and should be a thing of the past.
Anyone interested can visit my website www.RickyByersRacing.com or contact Robert Villegas at New Century Marketing (317) 258-0099 or (317) 881-3826.
I look forward to being here at NASCAR Ranting and Raving and I hope you enjoy reading about my racing expereinces both on and off the track
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