From Vocal Cord Cancer to Sharing Strength With Others: Sam’s Journey

Sam Hawkins has a story that resonates throughout the halls of University Medical Center. Diagnosed with laryngeal cancer, Sam faced a journey that tested his strength, resilience, and voice in more ways than one. 

Today, after successful treatment and a path to recovery, he is cancer-free. But Sam's story doesn’t end there. He has taken on a new role at University Medical Center – one just as meaningful as his recovery. At 72 years old, he now spends his time speaking with patients who are just beginning or navigating their own journeys with cancer. 

Sam’s transition from patient to mentor shows the powerful role of community in the healing process, a concept that is integral to our approach in treating cancer. 

Sam’s Cancer Journey: Two Diagnoses and Plenty of Resilience 

In 2016, Sam received a diagnosis that would alter the course of his life: laryngeal cancer, or cancer in the larynx (voice box). Initially, he experienced no symptoms, not even trouble breathing – a common symptom of vocal cord cancer. His cancer was in the early stages, and his treatment was considered successful. 

In 2022, Sam began experiencing shortness of breath, a sign that the cancer had returned. He also had other symptoms, such as pain and difficulty talking. After undergoing a biopsy to test tissue in his larynx, his care team confirmed that his cancer had come back, and he was referred to Dr. Vilija Vaitaitis, Assistant Professor, with the LSU Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery University Medical Center.

Sam was shocked he was facing yet another diagnosis, this time with stage 3 cancer. “I could hardly breathe,” Sam says. He was concerned about treatment and wondered how they could tackle the cancer once and for all. 

His treatment plan involved surgery, followed by radiation therapy. Dr. Vaitaitis performed a total laryngectomy (which removes the voice box) and a bilateral neck dissection (which removes the lymph nodes). 

After surgery, he was given high-dose radiation therapy that targeted the cancer while avoiding surrounding healthy tissue. Though powerful, this approach minimized the impact on his vocal cords and overall health. 

Still, Sam’s treatment was not without side effects. “When you undergo a laryngectomy, your whole vocal cord complex is removed. After surgery, patients have to do a lot of work with our speech therapists to rehab their ability to speak in new ways without vocal cords,” explains Dr. Vaitaitis. 

While many people will begin to regain abilities within weeks, it can take months to become fluent again. To support his speaking abilities, Dr. Vaitaitis also performed a tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) during his laryngectomy. A TEP involves creating a small hole in the wall between the esophagus and trachea and placing a valve inside. This moves air into the throat, allowing Sam to speak. 

LCMC Health speech therapists, Brittany Klein and Jamie LeBoutillier, played a key role in his recovery, helping him to speak, swallow, and gain functionality again. With their support – and a whole lot of motivation – Sam was able to recover his ability to talk. 

Drawing Strength From Family and Community 

Amidst Sam’s successes, he still faced cancer's immense physical and emotional tolls, and he worried others would see him differently. "I felt like I didn’t want to be around people," Sam says. "I was afraid people would look at me strange." 

With his family’s unwavering support, he began to find strength and comfort. His wife devoted time to his recovery, standing by him through every step of the journey. His two daughters, both nearby in Louisiana, became constant visitors. His granddaughter, now 10, was a bright light throughout his treatment, reminding him who he was fighting for. 

Sam also found solace in a cancer support group, led by LCMC Health speech therapists, where he connected with others who understood his experiences firsthand. They offered comradery, practical support, and, possibly most importantly, friendship. 

Surrounded by family and newfound friends, Sam rediscovered the power of community and support in helping him heal. It was this – along with his friendly demeanor and positive attitude – that led him to the next part of his cancer journey. 

Guiding Cancer Patients on Their Paths to Recovery 

Sam took his experience with laryngeal cancer and turned it into a mission to uplift others facing a similar path. Now a mentor, he speaks with patients preparing for treatment, offering them both practical insights and emotional support. 

"They're down, thinking it’s the end of the world," Sam says. "I thought that way, too." 

According to Dr. Vaitaitis, “It’s hard for patients to grasp what it would mean to lose your whole voice box. We’re very fortunate people like Mr. Hawkins are willing to donate their time, sit with patients, and talk to them about what it was like for them, what hiccups they felt they had, and what they thought was challenging.” 

By sharing his story openly, Sam hopes to give others some confidence in the road ahead. He often reminds them of the lifesaving potential of surgery, telling them, "If you have the surgery, you have life. Without surgery, your life will be shortened. That was enough for me right there." 

Sam’s wife also speaks with other caregivers who are facing similar journeys, providing a much-needed perspective to worried loved ones. 

Through their words and presence, both Sam and his wife show others that there is life – and hope – beyond vocal cord cancer. 

Sam’s Ongoing Legacy 

Sam’s story is one of resilience, hope, and the power of community. From his initial diagnosis to his journey through advanced treatment, he found strength in cutting-edge technology and the unwavering support of his family, friends, and cancer care team. 

Today, as a mentor to others facing laryngeal cancer, Sam shares his experience to inspire courage and confidence in others. His journey reminds us that, with support, determination, and innovative care, patients can not only survive but find new purpose and hope along the way.