Author: Leslie Toldo
Taking the first bite of a meal or sip of a drink suddenly became difficult for Daniel Zuhlke. Whatever he ate or drank would stop when it reached his throat, and when it finally went down, it was painful.
“I thought I had a hiatal hernia because I had watched my father struggle with one,” Daniel said. “But my doctor thought my symptoms sounded like something more serious. He sent me for tests.”
Imaging, followed by a biopsy revealed Daniel did have something more serious. He had esophageal cancer.
“I was scared and quite shocked, not knowing what the future held,” Daniel said. “Someone close to me went through pancreatic cancer and he stayed in the back of my mind.”
Daniel needed surgery to remove his esophagus, but first he had to have chemotherapy and radiation. Instead of traditional radiation, Daniel’s care team at Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Lapeer Region suggested proton therapy.
“I had never heard of proton therapy. I never knew there were different types of radiation,” Daniel said.
A nurse navigator explained the difference in the risk for side effects and long-term damage with proton therapy, and she quickly got Daniel’s attention.
“I liked the idea that proton therapy is so precise,” Daniel said. “Especially that there would be less risk of damage to surrounding organs.”
Proton therapy is different from traditional radiation, which is delivered by x-rays in the way the radiation is delivered to tumors. X-rays deliver radiation to the tumor, then continue to move through the body, leaving behind an exit dose. That can cause damage to healthy tissue and organs beyond the tumor. Protons, on the other hand, stop at the tumor.
“What this means for patients is less risk of both long and short-term side effects and a better quality of life during treatments,” said Daniel’s radiation oncologist at the McLaren Proton Therapy Center in Flint, Dr. Omar Gayar.
Not only was Daniel a candidate for proton therapy, but he was asked to take part in a study.
“My niece, who is a nurse practitioner explained to me that I could help others by participating in the study, so I did,” Daniel said.
Daniel went through chemotherapy at the same time he was treated with proton therapy. While swallowing was still difficult during that time, Daniel says his side effects were minimal.
“I had no sick days or down days. I would get tired at the end of the week, but nothing serious,” Daniel said.
He went through six and a half weeks of daily treatments at the McLaren Proton Therapy Center.
“The whole team at the Proton Center was great,” Daniel said. “Dr. Gayar gave me individualized care.”
When his treatments were over, Daniel had his esophagus removed. He is on a feeding tube for now but hopes to be eating normally again soon. He has plenty of motivation to keep fighting through.
“I do it for my family, for the people who need me, more than I fight for myself,” Daniel said. “You just put your head down, do what they tell you, and hope for the best.”
To learn more about Proton Therapy, visit mclaren.org/protontherapy or call 855- MY PROTON (687-7686).