Amy – Grateful Patient of Dr. Terance Tsue

Left Parotid Acinic Cell Carcinoma

It all started out as a cold. My primary care physician was concerned that the swelling in my neck (which he originally thought was a swollen lymph node) did not go away after I had recovered from the cold. He sent me to a general surgeon who did a biopsy. Never in a million years did I think I had cancer. But I did.

I was diagnosed with head and neck cancer and was told I was being referred to KU ENT. I was not happy. I didn't want to see another doctor. I asked the surgeon what he would do if I were his wife or sister. He didn't hesitate. He said he would send them to KU ENT. Turns out, it was absolutely the best medical decision of my life.

Being diagnosed with cancer is scary. My thoughts went immediately to my children and husband. I had two kids under the age of 4 when I was diagnosed. What would this mean to them? What kind of cancer was it? Was I going to die? What treatment options are available? I had so many questions that it was practically impossible to wrap my brain around all of them.

Then I met Judy and things started to calm down. By the time my husband and I left our initial appointment with Dr. Tsue, I was able for the first time to rationally approach what was in store for me. He had patiently answered all of my questions - even the crazy ones - and had put things in perspective. Dr. Tsue has a real gift for keeping you grounded in the reality of a situation even when he's telling you something you don't want to hear.

Dr. Tsue was very forthcoming from the beginning that the surgery I needed could result in facial nerve damage and that I would have a significant scar. I put my faith in him and he did not let me down. Although the scar is there, he was able to avoid major nerve damage. People that I meet don't even notice. (Dr. Tsue and I have joked that I actually have the perfect hair for the cancer that I had!) I had several weeks of radiation after surgery, but no chemo. And now I wear my scar as a badge of honor and courage for everything that I went through.

I jumped at the chance to participate in the Grateful Patient Program. There is nothing I wouldn't do for Dr. Tsue, Judy, and the rest of the KU ENT team. We are very lucky to have them here in Kansas City. I hope you don't have to go through what I did; however, if you do, rest assured - you're in the best possible hands and the proof is literally written all over my face!