Floyd Stewart, patient with stage 4 nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and Monique Stewart, advocate and Floyd’s wife, discuss their family’s experience with the disease and their advocacy work.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a rare head and neck cancer arising from the nasopharyngeal epithelium. This type of cancer is rare in the United States, with higher occurrence rates in Asia and Africa. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is hard to diagnose in the early stages of the cancer since there may be no symptoms at first. Early signs and symptoms may include a lump in the neck caused by a swollen lymph node, bleeding from the nose, bloody saliva, double vision, ear infections, facial numbness, headaches, hearing loss, nasal stuffiness, tinnitus, and sore throat.
Floyd was diagnosed in 2021 after Monique discovered a lump on his neck while the family was on vacation. This diagnosis has been devastating for the couple and their four children. Floyd explains how symptoms, such as sensitive hearing and neuropathy, coupled with the side effects of his treatment, have required the household to adapt to a new way of living.
Floyd also discusses his struggles with feelings of isolation, financial difficulties, and learning how to slow down and listen to his body. Monique also gives insight into all of the emotions that come with being a caregiver, while also a loving wife and mother, explaining finding strength that she never thought she had.
Throughout this journey, the family has grown stronger in their faith and resilience and learned to rely on their community while taking it one day at a time. They stress the importance of not facing these challenges alone and hope that others in similar situations will do the same.
To learn more about rare cancers, visit https://checkrare.com/diseases/cancers/
