Mark Denney is a physician assistant at Oklahoma City VA Health Care System (OKCVA). When something felt wrong in his throat, he turned to the same place where he helps fellow Veterans heal.
Denney served in the Army from 1986 to 1991 as an operating room technician. He worked in a trauma hospital in El Paso, Texas, and spent 2 years in Berlin, Germany, assisting with surgeries. He helped deliver every set of twins born at the Army hospital between 1987 and 1989.
After separating from service, he became a physician assistant. He joined OKCVA in 2015.
The pain that wouldn’t quit
In December 2019, Denney felt a sharp pain that ran from his jaw to his right ear.
At first, he thought it was a dental or ear infection, but the pain didn’t go away. Swallowing became hard, food lost its flavor and he began to lose weight.
A biopsy confirmed cancer at the base of his tongue that had already spread to nearby lymph nodes.
“It was a punch in the gut,” Denney said. “I’d spent years helping other Veterans recover. Now I needed help.”
Treatment he could trust
Denney’s treatment at OKCVA included 35 radiation sessions and 3 rounds of chemotherapy.
The team made a plastic mask that fit tightly over his face and shoulders to keep his head still during each session. The radiation was delivered using a machine called a linear accelerator, which moved around him and hit the tumor with high-energy beams.
“We start by taking images of the tumor to see its exact size and shape,” said Ashley Arres, chief radiation therapist at OKCVA. “We use those images to shape the radiation beam, so it matches the tumor. The machine moves around and delivers radiation from different angles, hitting only the cancer and protecting the parts of the throat he still needed for everyday life.”
Treatment wasn’t easy. The pain made eating impossible, and Denney lost 60 pounds. His team placed a feeding tube to keep him strong enough to finish.
“They never left me hanging,” he said. “They checked on me every day, made adjustments and treated me like family.”
A reason to keep going
Through it all, Denney held on to one goal: Walking his daughter down the aisle.
“The thought of missing her wedding tore me up,” he said, through tears. “That’s what kept me going.”
When treatment ended, he rang the bell. A year and a half later, he walked his daughter down the aisle and even invited his radiation oncologist to celebrate with them.
“I was so honored and touched that Mr. Denney included me in the wedding of his daughter,” said Dr. Teresa Craig. “It was so joyful! Now he has a brand-new grandbaby!”
Denney credits Dr. Craig and the radiation oncology team for saving his life.
Back to work with a new perspective
Denney returned to work at OKCVA. He still helps Veterans after surgery and is more aware of the fear and fatigue that come with recovery.
“I knew I’d get good care here,” he said. “Going through it myself, I saw how much everyone here cares. They treated me like we treat every Veteran.”
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My experience was different with Brockton VA in Massachusetts. Though, I am a lifetime nonsmoker, with a healthy lifestyle, I got throat cancer. The ENT receptionist told me their was no afternoon appointments, (turned out to be a lie, since, I live in the suburbs getting there involved ride to train station, 2 connections, and, then a bus. Eventually, after living on liquids, I secured a ride from friends. ER doctor, convince that I had cancer, directed me to ENT. The receptionist refused to let me see Doctor. Told me I needed to make an appointment. In excruciating pain, I relented. Suffered indescribably, living on milk and, protein drinks. Bottom line cancer evolved into inoperable stage 4 cancer. Many months in in VA hospitals, barely survived. Damage is permanent. Could have nipped this in the bud. If I wasn’t in above average condition, my doctors agree, I would not have survived. Lifetime of being a health fanatic wasted.
Why does the VA not have an online or in person cancer support group? I too am dealing with cancer, multiple myeloma, I appreciate the article, but for me the VA could do so much more. Myself and other veterans attend cancer support groups either online or in the community yet the VA has nothing. Ive written everyone from the secretary on down but no answer other than too hard or we can’t. We have support groups for PTSD, drinking, anger and everything else but no support group for cancer when so many of us are dealing with it. Big part of the cancer battle is the mental part so please explain the no to me.
This a Warrior Brother that received world class treatment from VA …& treats his Brothers & Sisters with the same dignity and respect that he received..Excellent Read & Thanks VA for these great Articles (Especially during this difficult time in our nation)