Michael Smerek was only 42 years old when he was diagnosed with stage IV tongue cancer. "It was scary. I couldn't believe what was happening. It really forced me to face the reality that I'm not invincible," says Michael.
Michael's journey began in July 2010 when his dentist recommended additional evaluation for what Michael thought was just a canker sore. "I did a lot of smokeless tobacco, and I drank, but I never thought that the two had anything to do with the sore on my tongue." Michael was initially referred to U-M's Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, who performed a biopsy, which showed that the lesion on Michael's tongue was in fact squamous cell carcinoma. "That was the first time anyone mentioned cancer," says Michael.
Michael was referred on to Douglas B. Chepeha, M.D., MSPH, for further evaluation and surgical management. Review of Michael's CT scan confirmed the presence of a large squamous cell carcinoma on his tongue, as well as multiple enlarged lymph nodes on both sides of his neck. Dr. Chepeha recommended an anterior glossectomy (removal of the front 2/3 of the tongue), a subsequent tongue reconstruction and a bilateral neck dissection. "Despite what Dr. Chepeha was telling me, I found myself feeling surprisingly comfortable. He has this way about him: I know he sees hundreds of patients, but when he was in the room with me, he made me feel like I was his only patient."
Michael underwent surgery on July 27, 2010. "Those first few nights after surgery were the hardest," says Michael. "I woke up unable to talk, eat or swallow. I had absolutely no idea how I was going to function. I'm sure the staff could see the fear in my eyes, and they didn't back down. They were absolutely fantastic. I don't think I would have pulled through had it not been for their support."
Michael was discharged from the hospital a week after surgery, but his recovery process continued for months. His case was presented at tumor board, where it was recommended that he also receive chemotherapy and radiation. In addition to this treatment, he worked with speech pathology to relearn some of life's most basic skills- eating, swallowing and talking. "I tackled my recovery with a lot of enthusiasm. I trusted Dr. Chepeha and his team completely. They told me to stop using the smokeless tobacco and to stop drinking, and I have. Whatever they tell me to do, I do it, because they know what they're doing," says Michael.
Today Michael is three years out from treatment, and he continues to have a clean bill of health. "It's been a challenge, though," says Michael. "Learning how to cope, especially how to interact in social situations, has been the hardest part of this. I can't hide my speech impediment; as soon as I talk, you know it's there. But I just hope that people listen to what I have to say and not how I say it."
Michael continues to work at his job in supply chain management and transportation in Novi, Michigan. "Going back to work was an adjustment, just figuring out how to interact in a professional setting," says Michael. "But I work hard– probably harder than I had to before– and I'm slowly working my way back to where I was before all of this started."
Despite his struggles, Michael and his wife, Jennifer, embrace life, living each day to the fullest. The couple enjoys spending time together golfing, watching movies and with a recent cruise trip to Alaska. "We're just happy I'm alive," says Michael. "We have a choice, and we choose to embrace the potential of today, because there are no guarantees for tomorrow."