About My Cancer Journey

Hi, I’m Wayne — a husband, dad, and three-time cancer fighter.

In August 2020, I was diagnosed with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma. The cancer started at the base of my tongue and had already spread to the lymph nodes in my neck by the time we caught it. That moment, hearing the word cancer, changed everything. My body went through hell — 35 rounds of radiation, 7 chemo infusions — but I fought hard and came out with clear scans. I thought maybe, just maybe, it was behind me.

Then it came back. And then, it came back again.

In March 2024, it returned to my neck. I underwent a brutal 5-hour radical neck dissection, followed by more chemo, more radiation, and more hope that I’d beaten it. And for a while, I had. But on June 3, 2025 — my 25th wedding anniversary — I got the call. The cancer had come back again. Worse this time. It had gone septic, and spread to my lungs. That day was supposed to be about celebration — instead, it became another turning point in our journey.

So now I fight differently. This third round, I’m using a combination of Keytruda immunotherapy and High Dose IV Vitamin C (HDIVC) — a promising approach that makes cancer cells more vulnerable while helping the rest of me stay strong. I’ve overhauled my life. No sugar, no carbs, no surrender. I’m on a strict carnivore diet. I take therapeutic doses of zinc, magnesium, and vitamin D. I’ve learned that healing isn’t passive — it’s war. And I’m in the trenches every single day.

This blog exists because my story is not just about cancer — it’s about family.

I married my wife, Sarah, in 2000. She’s my rock. A former Air Force medic who served in Iraq, Sarah came home with her own health challenges after being exposed to burn pits. Despite chronic pain, nosebleeds, and fatigue, she never complains. She just shows up. Our younger son was born with a brain injury and lives with autism and seizures. Life has never been easy — but we’ve done it together. With love. With grit.

When I was down, my family lifted me. When I was too weak to stand, they stood for me. They got me to treatments, kept our home running, and cared for our son — all while fighting their own battles. Quiet heroes. Every one of them.

But here’s the part people don’t always see: cancer also attacks your wallet. Even with insurance, our out-of-pocket costs are staggering — deductibles, coinsurance, uncovered treatments. Our savings are gone. We’ve maxed out cards, made payment plans, and been denied treatments deemed “experimental,” like Botox for my radiation-damaged neck.

HDIVC is not covered by insurance. Each infusion costs nearly $300, and I need two to three a week for months. It’s a lifeline we’re forced to fund ourselves. That’s why I’ve launched a GoFundMe. It’s not easy asking for help, but this is bigger than pride. Every donation gives me a fighting chance. Every share spreads awareness. And every kind word reminds me I’m not in this alone.

So welcome to my story. It’s messy, it’s raw, it’s real — but it’s filled with fight, faith, and family. If you’ve ever battled something bigger than yourself, you’ll feel right at home here.

Let’s keep going — together.