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of cancer I had is typically found in men over Words cannot express my gratitude
50 who have been lifelong smokers, and even Dr. Teknos was, as my Healthnetwork medical
then it is rare. Dr. Teknos is the leading coordinator had said, “the best.” Not only is
specialist in the world for head and neck he literally The Best in head and neck cancer,
cancers—and somehow Healthnetwork got me but his demeanor was so reassuring and
an appointment with him within eight hours compassionate. I’ll never forget the fi rst words
of my diagnosis!
he spoke to me:
“I want you to know what you have is
Getting my life back very treatable.”
Today, telling you my story, I am past the one It immediately put me at ease. He is the
year anniversary of my surgery. It was actually father of six kids himself, and I always felt like
like six surgeries in one. They removed the he understood what I was going through as
tumor, took the fi bula, artery and tissue from a mother.
my leg and built a new jaw from that bone, I’m also eternally grateful to Healthnetwork.
gave me a tracheostomy, surgically placed a Without them, I never would have known
feeding tube into my stomach, removed 42 where to begin, who to call, how to get an
lymph nodes, and took a skin graft on my thigh appointment. To have someone take care of
to cover where they took out the bone. everything, to know they are there to listen
After the surgery I had to have six weeks of and fi nd the best care for you—it’s huge.
radiation because the cancer made it into the I always felt like a top priority to them.
nerves and bone marrow. Now I know Healthnetwork should be my
It’s been a very long road. A year and a half fi rst call. I’d just bypass my dad and go straight
later, I am almost back to normal. to them!

Kelly Bryan’s family (left to right): husband Jason,
daughter Charlotte (9); Kelly; daughter Aubrey (12); son Will (15).

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