[dropcap size=big]L[/dropcap]eslie Maynor was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, a rare cancer of the inner ear which, if left untreated, can spread to other parts of the body. Initially, Leslie underwent surgery to remove the cancer, but due to an infection, her surgeon had to reopen the surgical area. She started radiation and chemotherapy to get rid of the residual cancer, which caused the open wound to not heal and left her with severe radiation burns. A side effect of radiation is the narrowing of the arteries which prevents oxygen-rich blood from getting to a wound to help heal it.

Prior to being diagnosed with cancer and dealing with the non–healing wound, Leslie was a very active person. She enjoyed traveling, kayaking, shopping, camping and anything outdoors.

“It was horrible. I thought I was dying. I thought I would work through the radiation and life would go on. I had a really rude awakening,” Leslie said of her experience. “It was very difficult to have cancer and a chronic wound at the same time.”

After a few months, Leslie was referred to a Wound Care Center® to receive advanced wound care for her non–healing wound. The health care providers at the Center determined that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment would be the best option to help heal Leslie’s wound. HBO treatment increases the oxygen levels in the blood stream, which in turn, helps heal chronic wounds by creating new blood vessels.

“It was very difficult to have cancer and a chronic wound at the same time.” -Leslie Maynor

“I noticed right away,” Leslie explained about her HBOT experience.

“I wasn’t in pain all the time.” Six weeks after finishing treatment, Leslie was able to attend and enjoy her daughter’s wedding; a major goal she set at the beginning of her treatment process.

“I was able to eat and dance and laugh! I accepted the fact that it worked!” Leslie shared excitedly. 

Leslie is now back to a normal routine of enjoying life cancer and chronic wound free. She is able to taste and enjoy food, spend more time outdoors kayaking, and she is even considering going back to work soon. Living life was put on hold for Leslie, but now she is back to enjoying the things she loves most.

If you or someone you love is suffering from a chronic wound, please do not hesitate to reach out to a Wound Care Center to see if the available treatment options may be right for you.

Thank you for spending Wound Care Awareness Week with us! We work every day to heal as many people as possible, everywhere we can, by the best means available!

 

For more information visit Healogics.