cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, dipping, spit tobacco

Smokeless Tobacco and My Cancer

As best I can remember, I've dipped the same brand of tobacco for about 30 years. In seventh grade I started hanging out with a few cowboy types. My father chews tobacco and did back then. But chew never interested me much. A few of my friends dipped, thus I dipped too. The warning labels on the cans of smokeless didn't appear until 1986, and I remember I didn't need to be a certain age to buy it. I even won a trip to the Daytona 500 in 1989 from the makers of my dip.

So I dipped. I learned how to hide it from teachers and bosses. I could dip all day and no one ever knew I had one in my mouth. If I was hunting, I dipped. If I was fishing, I dipped. I was never hooked on it of course. RIGHT! I was hooked big time. Though I had quit a few times I never gave it up. If you ever dipped, gave it up, then started again, you most likely know the high you get from it. It is addictive. It is a drug.

Last year I noticed a spot on the inside of my cheek. Was I worried? I guess in a way I wondered about it, but I knew it wasn't cancer. I couldn't get cancer. I finally went to an oral surgeon in September 2005. When I got the phone call, the news wasn't good. Squamous Cell Carcinoma. As it was explained to me, this was basically a skin cancer. What made it bad though is it had gone unchecked inside my mouth since it was out of sight. Thus it became what the doctors called moderately invasive.

I set up an appointment with M.D.Anderson Cancer Center. If I was gonna get cancer work done, I was going to the best. After running CT scans other tests, my doctor came to same the conclusion. Very little time was wasted and my operation was set up for December 8th. I was told of the difficulties involved. The loss of feeling. How it would take time to talk right again. That eating would be a problem. Dr. Holsinger let me know from square one, he wouldn't know how much had to be taken til he got in and tested the area. I ended up losing 3 teeth, alot of gum and the inside lining of my cheek. The following are just a few of the pictures from my surgery. One picture even shows the complete area removed from me.

The section cut out of my leg is that is what was placed inside my mouth. I have to go back in a few months and the plastic surgeon will remove what is not needed. More was put in than needed because swelling cannot be determined and now I wait til they are sure all swelling is gone. They had also put a feeding tube in my nose. However, once I started waking up in ICU, I ended up throwing the tube up. And since a feeding tube in my side was impractical as it would have to stay in for 5 to 6 weeks, I did without. Quickest 30 pounds I ever lost. Of course, 20 of it is back now. I still have problems with my neck and tightness. And I do tend to dribble food or drink because of lip.

"Trash Your Can ©"

So where do I go now? I would love to drive up to a hunting expo in a big 4 wheel drive camoed truck to grab the attention of people. Or go to a fishing tournament in a matching truck/boat design, not to win, but to talk about smokeless tobacco. Maybe show up at the races and counter the tobacco companies that give away their product at these events. And to be able to show up at rodeos and speak about oral cancer and dipping, wow. Yep, I would love to do these things, but I am a realist.

I am starting a new program called "Trash Your Can©" to promote quitting smokeless tobacco. My plan is to go into schools. But also tap into areas I have never seen this before. Hunting Expos, Fishing shows or even tournaments,and even racing events. I have attended all these events before, and at each you numerous dippers. Usually there is even booths from the smokeless tobacco companies themselves at these shows giving out free samples. I know, because I would flock to these booths to get mine. A program like this has never been done at the events that bring in the most "dippers". Maybe someday, I can make this my reality.

Now they even use sex to sell the product. Whether it's a poster of a beautiful woman touting smokeless or having several "sexy" women at their booths at the above mentioned events to draw guys in. I am old enough to see this kind of advertisement for what it is. But teens and young adults can and will be influenced by it. I am not looking for a confrontation with the booths, but I am wanting to let people know the things that can happen from using smokeless.

My reason for adding this on this page is I don't want this to be just a small local program. I want to carry my message to anyone willing to listen. Please contact me if you are interested in me speaking at your event, school, show etc. And if you, someone you know, or your company would like to sponsor me on this quest, I would be glad to hear from you.

Can You Quit?

As for ways to quit. Mine was drastic and I hope no one will have to do it that way. One study done and posted on NIDA (the National Institute on Drug Abuse) speaks of using the patch. I had never really thought of this as I always associated the patch with smokers. But the drug is nicotine, no matter the source.

I never used any type of aid to stop dipping so I cannot attest to them. And each person is going to be different in their reaction to the withdrawal of nicotine. The patch has been used by some with great success. And patches are made by different companies such as Nicoderm or Habitrol . I have also read about people that use nicotine lozenges And there is even a nicotine gum The first time I quit, I substituted plain old gum for it along with developing a love for tooth picks. The tooth picks satisfied the oral fixation that dippers have. And took a little sting out of the nicotine withdrawal. NOt matter what you chose, if you chose a product, be sure to do your homework on it. Consult a doctor. Talk with people who have used the products. Read reviews. Educate yourself on all your choices.

Speaking Engagements

March 24, 2006 - First Baptist Church Cleveland, Tx. Annual Outdoor Expo

Funny, but I don't think the attendees were aware of my topic this night. There was a defined silence as I talked of oral cancer, dipping, my operation and the importance of understanding the dangers of smokeless. I did get back pats for speaking on something that even some of the elders there had never heard spoke of.

May5, 2006 - Shepherd High School - SISD Health Awareness Fair ( booth/exhibit )

Had alot of fun at this one. And hopefully done some good. I had a banner made and got it back on Thursday. Then made signs up on Thursday night. Pictures were enlarged by school nurse who had invited me there for this event. I knew some of the kids since my daughter goes there. Anyhow, I had some great conversations with some of the guys. Even though tobacco is illegal in school, I got some of them to throw their dip away. And I had some vowing to throw away theirs once they got home to it. I also did a rough draft of a pledge for them. Something for them to keep and think about. The gentleman with the goatee is the health teacher and he is willing to help them set up a support group. Since these are hometown guys, I will be checking up on them. I would like to commend the school nurse, Donna Turner. Her efforts in putting on this health fair for the kids was extrodinary. She made sure this was for the kids and about the kids. Dealing with issues that face them today. Thank you, Donna.

On the 13th of May, I recieved a letter from Nurse Turner. She informed me that she had 7 signed pledges on her desk. That's seven young men that have made the concious choice to give up tobacco. I hope and pray they stick with the quit. And I wish them all the best.