Julie – Wife of Clifford who was treated by Dr. Doug Girod

Cancer: Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC)

When I was asked to tell my story, my first thought was, "How do I condense almost ten years into a simple story?" That was immediately followed by, "Is there a way to convey to others that it truly was the way Cliff was treated that made all the difference?"

I believe it is true that first impressions are the most powerful ones, and it was my first impressions of the staff in the Department of Otolaryngology that formed a bond of trust and friendship that still exists. To help you understand why the first impressions had such an impact on me, let me start by asking a simple question:

Is it possible for a die-hard K-State fan who bleeds nothing but purple to find a special place in her heart for anyone connected to KU?

Answer: Absolutely! 

BUT HOW CAN THIS BE TRUE?? For anyone who has grown up with this age-old college rivalry, it may be hard to believe that such a thing can happen, but it is true and it took someone like Dr. Doug Girod and his amazing team of doctors and nurses in the department to do it.

When my husband and I made our first trip to KU Medical Center on April 30, 1999, I was determined to find something to distract us from the tension that hung in the air during the car ride. What better way to do this than to point out the obvious....we were headed into enemy territory. I was convinced the experience would be as unpleasant as sitting through a football game in Lawrence.

Cliff was 21 when he was first told he had a rare cancer- adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). It was rare for a man in his 50s or 60s to be struck with this disease, and virtually unheard of for a man my husband's age to receive this diagnosis. That year his entire summer was spent living away from home to undergo experimental radiation. Now, 11 years later, the familiar lump and pain had returned to the same salivary gland. Thanks to doctors at Olathe Medical Center, on this fateful day in April we were headed to see Dr. Girod. Even though this time we were blessed with having one of the leading experts in the nation in our own back yard, I still wore purple as an extra line of defense.

By the end of our first visit, Dr. Girod confirmed what Cliff had suspected - his cancer had returned, and the treatment was to include surgery. Not only would the surgery take all day, but, unbeknownst to Dr. Girod and his staff, it was scheduled to take place on the day of our eighth wedding anniversary. Few people knew the significance of the surgery date, and as I shared with them, what more could a girl ask for on her anniversary than to have doctors tell her that her husband's surgery had been a success!

Both Cliff and I were impressed with the team approach utilized by the Department. Since we knew there was no protocol for his treatment, it was a comfort knowing that so many specialists were involved in developing and later implementing his comprehensive treatment plan. It was clear that the specialists valued each other's expertise and that they were all working for the common goal of defeating this cancer. It was also obvious that they cared what Cliff and I had to say and valued our input.

While I was convinced Dr. Girod was the guy for us, I was determined to make sure nobody mistook our gratitude and trust for alienation of our alma mater. What better way to do this than to host a tailgate party while I waited during his surgery? Our family had always taken tailgating seriously, and the best tailgate of the year was always during the K-State vs. KU football game. Although the venue moved from the stadium parking lot to the ICU waiting room, a sense of the good natured fun and camaraderie was still there.

Dr. Girod immediately laughed at my K-State attire when we met that morning for pre-op. After reviewing with us again the procedures that would be used, he promised me that I would receive regular updates throughout the day regarding Cliff's status and the team's progress. In return, I promised him a sea of purple would be waiting to hear the good news.

Each of us kept our promise throughout Cliff's 15 ½ hour surgery; in fact, I would have to say Dr. Girod delivered more than he promised. Not only did his surgical nurse update me each hour, but Dr. Girod himself came out periodically to see me. In addition, each time a segment of surgery involving another specialist was completed, Dr. Girod would accompany them out to the waiting room to meet with me and describe how their portion of the operation had gone. Every one of them patiently answered all of my questions without judgment.

For my part, I made sure that all well-wishers knew that purple was the color for the day. Friends and family wore purple to work, and visitors donned purple as they joined us for our tailgate party. At one point, we had 20+ people waiting as Dr. Girod arrived to give me an update - an experience he still talks about!

While my approach to this day may have been unconventional, I am grateful that this amazing team found the humor in it and allowed me this small indulgence. By doing so, they showed me they hadn't forgotten that I also mattered in this journey. I have experienced what it is like to have physicians ignore me because I wasn't the patient, and I can honestly say to anyone who asks, that a different experience awaits them when working with Dr. Girod and this team in the Department of Otolaryngology. Their care and concern is genuine, so much so that for the longest time I thought Cliff was their favorite patient - hands down. Imagine my surprise when I realized they treat everyone this way!!

Many years have passed since this first impression was formed, and there are literally hundreds of stories I could tell as proof of the outstanding treatment that I believe awaits anyone working with the ENT Clinic. Cliff lost his battle with cancer. Among those who called to check on me and share their condolences were members of this team. As I shared with each of them, their continued presence in his journey gave both of us the strength to live every day to its fullest and to keep fighting until the very end.

Since that time, in listening to other's stories, I have learned that at this point many people consider their relationship with their medical team to be over and these people become someone they used to know. For me, the experience has been much different as the impressions left upon me by this dedicated and caring team of physicians and nurses have had a profound impact on the way I live my life. Although a few years have passed, to this day I continue to count each member of Cliff's team among the many blessings that I have been given, and I am thankful we are still a part of each other's lives.

I recently shared with a group that I did not become actively involved in the battle against cancer because I am now a widow trying to make sense of it all; it is quite the opposite. I am involved because it is the right thing to do. I am involved because I believe in the work being done by the many doctors and nurses in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Kansas. Short of cheering for the team from Lawrence, there is nothing I wouldn't do to help them so that they may help the next patient who walks through the Clinic doors.

So yes, it is possible for a die-hard K-State fan to find a special place in her heart for someone connected with KU. Although I would like to believe it is because deep down Dr. Girod also bleeds purple, I am satisfied in knowing that deep down it is because he and his team truly care about each of us as individuals and want us to have nothing but the best. And THAT has made all the difference.