The Art of Survival

Thirty-one years ago, at the age of 18, I dove into the ocean at a beach in Middletown, Rhode Island and broke my neck. I survived a spinal cord injury that left me quadriplegic. A friend of mine pulled me from the ocean and saved my life.

After the accident, I had to complete six months of rehabilitation followed in a Boston spinal cord injury unit. I endured the long process of learning how to live life all over again in a wheelchair. With extraordinary help from my family and friends, I returned home. I began driving a re-modified van and enrolled at a Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island.

In the years that followed, I lived life. My innovative therapy program and accomplishments were featured in stories done by broadcast and print media. I assisted my mother, Mojca, in creating a foundation to raise money for spinal cord injury cure research. I transferred to the University of Illinois and graduated in 1986 with a B.S. in Broadcast Journalism. 

I returned home to Rhode Island, worked professionally for several organizations and ultimately became employed at Salve Regina University. I produced print media in desktop publishing. Years later, with assistance from others, I researched the concept of computer driven multimedia. I was instrumental in achieving a $135,000 grant which created a multimedia lab and the start of interactive learning using sound, text and video at the University. I became Multimedia Supervisor, taught several 3 credit courses weekly and earned a M.A. in Human Resource Management. 

In 2001, I became human resource representative at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence. My responsibilities included conflict resolution, computer generated media and computer instruction. Two years later, in an effort to escape the cold weather in the Northeast and find an easier lifestyle, I moved with my parents to Tucson, Arizona.

I began searching for employment when I arrived. During that period, I developed a sinus infection and lost feeling in my upper left lip. One month later, bone swelling developed under my left eye. I went through minor surgery and recovered.

A biopsy was taken, and I tested positive for squamous-cell carcinoma of the left maxillary sinus. The cancer was unusual -- only 5% of the world’s population is diagnosed with this type of illness. 

With the support of my family and friends, I endured a surgery that took over thirteen hours at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. The surgeons removed my left eye, sinus and a section of cheek bone. During the next month, I survived through Pneumonia and a Pulmonary Embolism. Seven weeks of radiation followed, including fatigue and hair loss. 

Eight months later, cancer reappeared in my neck. I went through a second five hour surgery to remove 23 Lymph nodes. Seven more weeks of radiation followed.

I have been told that I am one of two Quadriplegics in the U.S (and possibly the world) that has undergone this procedure. As you can imagine, the past five months have been surreal. I will continue monthly appointments with doctors, more tests, etc. If I survive the next two years, I was told I have a 20% chance of survival, my odds of beating cancer will raise. If I make 5 years, I’ll be clear.

I learned to relive life again and do the things I had done before. Unfortunately, the sight in my only eye was already compromised years ago due to a preexisting condition. Reading, using computers and driving were difficult. However, I was used to fighting adversity and made progress.

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