Hope & Support Through Adversity
- Guitarist Doug Aldrich, formerly a member of Whitesnake, has revealed the surgery he recently underwent for throat cancer was “very successful” and he’s grateful for all the love and support he’s received from his fans, friends, and family.
- Aldrich, who plays for the band The Dead Daisies, is now recovering after his surgery and taking some time off from performing.
- Throat cancer is a type of head and neck cancer where cancerous cells begin in the throat, voice box or tonsils. Some of the main risk factors for this disease include smoking, drinking alcohol, a diet lacking in fruits or vegetables, acid reflux disease and the human papillomavirus (HPV).
- Overcoming adversity can seem daunting but having a plan can make it feel achievable. It’s important to remember know that setting goals and breaking them into smaller steps is key. When going through a difficult time try setting a goal, making a plan, relying on others, and using positive self talk
Aldrich, who also previously played for bands Hurricane, House of Lords, Dio, Lion, Bad Moon Rising and Revolution Saints, is now taking time off from The Dead Daisies’ upcoming European tour while he embraces this recovery period filled with gratitude.
Read MoreAldrich shared the news of his surgery in a recent Instagram post, writing, “Quick update… Hi guys, just wanted to reach out and say thank you so much for the prayers and well wishes.View this post on Instagram
“It really helped more than I can say. I got surgery on my neck and tonsil and surgery was very successful. The Doctor is a Superstar and team here is amazing.”
What You Need to Know About Throat Cancer
He continued, “I feel good and hopefully get to go home today to my family. Am so grateful for you guys. Thank you so much.”
According to Blabbermouth.net, Aldrich’s wife Daniela, who is nicknamed Danni, also took to social media to offer an update on her beloved husband’s health status.
“I just want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you who sent prayers, texts, and love for Doug,” she reportedly wrote in a Facebook post.
“It truly meant the world to him to feel the outpouring of support. Your messages really lifted his spirits, and it made such a difference knowing how many people care about him.”
Expert Resources On Support
- A Cancer Survivor’s Ode To Friends and Family: “My Support System Helped Me Heal”
- Cancer Support Groups Aren’t for Everyone — We All Have Our Own Way of Coping
- Finding Support Through Her Church — Ovarian Cancer Survivor Robyn Smith’s Story
- Five Ways to Support Someone after A Cancer Diagnosis– Never Say ‘How Can I Help?’
- I Wanted to Be Me Again, But I Also Needed Their Help — Finding That Support System
Aldrich’s wife concluded, “All your prayers were heard! The surgery went incredibly well—five long hours of multiple steps—but Doug pushed through like the fighter he is. Even the nurse called him a superhero for his strength and determination right after! He is the strongest person I know.
“It’s going to be a long road ahead, but Doug is strong, and he is so loved. We are beyond grateful for all of you standing by his side through this. Thank you again, from the bottom of our hearts! Also to everyone who cared about the kids and me. Thank you so much.”
View this post on Instagram
Aldrich’s update on his cancer journey comes less than a week after The Dead Daisies revealed his cancer diagnosis in a statement.
“Hi, to all Daisies fans. We have some crappy news we’d like to share… Unfortunately Doug has been diagnosed with a treatable throat cancer and has to undergo surgery this week,” the band’s statement read.
They explained further, “Moving forward, Doug will not be available for the next run and subsequently long-time good friend & band mate from the Whitesnake days, Reb Beach, will be filling in for the upcoming European dates.
“Please join us in wishing Doug all the best for a speedy recovery. We look forward to having him back on deck really soon. We’ll keep you posted!”
In response to the band’s Sept. 25 post, Aldrich commented, “Thank you guys so so much. I go in tomorrow mornin. I’m very grateful for your kind and inspiring messages.. You guys are THE BEST.”
Aldrich revealed in earlier interviews that his reasoning for parting ways with the band Whitesnake approximately 10 years ago was that he wanted to spend more time with his son.
He was a member of Whitesnake from 2003 and 2014. As for the his time with The Dead Daisies, he’s been with them since 2015.
View this post on Instagram
All About Head and Neck Cancer
Cancer of the larynx, which is also considered throat cancer, falls under the umbrella of the general classification term head and neck cancer.
According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), head and neck cancer is “a broad term encompassing a number of different malignant tumors that develop in or around the throat, larynx, nose, sinuses and mouth. Oral cancer is the most common type of head and neck cancer.
Artist Michael Rees shares unique outlook on facing throat cancer
The two main risk factors for this group of diseases include the following:
- Tobacco use. This is the single largest risk factor for head and neck cancer with researchers estimating that 70 to 80 percent of head and neck cancers being linked to tobacco use. Also worthy of note is that secondhand smoke may increase a person’s risk of developing head and neck cancer.
- Alcohol use. Using alcohol and tobacco together increases your risk even more. “Head and neck cancer patients, we know that tobacco smoking is a risk but also heavy alcohol use,” Dr. Jessica Geiger, a medical oncologist specializing in head and neck cancer at Cleveland Clinic, previously told SurvivorNet.
“So, drinking more than two or three drinks if you’re a man per day, in addition to smoking. Smoking and alcohol are sort of additive carcinogens. Especially in cancer of the larynx or the voice box, we know that drinking heavily, heavy alcohol use, is just as important of a risk factor as tobacco smoking is.”
According to the National Cancer Institute, laryngeal cancer is a disease in which cancer cells develop in the tissues of the larynx. Additionally, signs and symptoms of this disease include sore throat, like Danielle Emery experienced, and ear pain.
Other symptoms of laryngeal cancer include:
- A cough that does not go away.
- Difficulty or pain when swallowing.
- A lump or mass in the neck or throat.
- Hoarseness, or some type of change, in the voice.
“The larynx is a part of the throat, between the base of the tongue and the trachea,” the cancer institute explains. “The larynx contains the vocal cords, which vibrate and make sound when air is directed against them. The sound echoes through the pharynx, mouth, and nose to make a person’s voice.”
Building Support, Staying Connected
If you were recently diagnosed with cancer, you likely know about the wide range of emotions that news can bring. This is one of the most difficult phases of the cancer journey to overcome.
However, a team of supporters can be most helpful during these early stages. Your supporters can be close family members, friends, or people outside your inner circle.
WATCH: Seeking support after a diagnosis.
“Some people don’t need to go outside of their family and friends circle. ” New York-based psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik tells SurvivorNet that they feel like they have enough support there.
“But for people who feel like they need a little bit more, it is important to reach out to a mental health professional,” she added.
Turning to Faith In Cancer
For many people battling cancer, including Aldrich, faith and prayer are a source of empowerment during a particularly difficult time. Aldrich has insisted that the support and prayers from his loved ones and fans are what really helped him through this arduous time.
For Beverly Reeves, who battled ovarian cancer, leaning on her faith, friends, and family during her diagnosis and treatment were profoundly helpful. Reeves says in an earlier interview that she advises someone going through the cancer journey to, “Get your close friends. If you’re connected to a faith community, get your faith community. Get your family. Let them know what’s going on and let them help you.”
Related: The Benefit of Support Networks for Cancer Patients
“So talk to your family and your friends and your faith community, and get that network together so they can support you and be there for you,” says Reeves. Other support resources that some patients turn to include therapy and formalized support networks.
‘Faith, Family, and Friends’ Helped Beverly Reeves Get Through Ovarian Cancer Treatment
Resilience Through Adversity
SurvivorNet specializes in covering the lives of people who overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Often, seeing the positive helps them maintain their resilience.
Dr. Zuri Murrell, an oncologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, spoke to SurvivorNet about the role of a positive outlook on survival rates: “I’m pretty good at telling what kind of patient are going to still have this attitude and probably going to live the longest, even with bad, bad disease. And those are patients who, they have gratitude in life.”
Resilience: Staying Positive Despite Adversity
Meanwhile, resilience is an important trait, but not the easiest to build. When building resilience, the ultimate goal is not to avoid tough times, but to be able to bounce back from them. And yet, when they are faced with an overwhelming, life-changing situation, how do people shift their view? How do they learn to see the problem as temporary, rather than permanent, and figure out a solution?
It’s complicated, because building resilience is more about your mental and emotional fortitude than anything else. According to the American Psychological Association, “the resources and skills associated with more positive adaptation (i.e., greater resilience) can be cultivated and practiced.” In other words, resilience is not something you’re born with, which should be encouraging. Instead, after every challenge in your life, you build more and more resilience to those hard times.
Building resilience is down in the same way you build muscle, through patience and steady exercise of the skill.
Some lessons learned from other cancer warriors SurvivorNet has covered include being willing to learn, spending time with people who inspire you, allowing yourself to grieve, being flexible, and leaning in to your community for support.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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