Finding strength: Physical and mental healing through cancer journey

By Emma Avila, epackard1@iuhealth.org, writer for IU Health’s Metro Region

After a persistent earache led to a stage three cancer diagnosis, Steve Hedrick faced a life-changing battle—overcoming not just the disease, but the deep emotional toll it took, emerging as a voice for healing and mental health awareness.

When Steve Hedrick came down with what he thought was an ear infection in early 2024, the last thing on his mind was cancer. But when that ear infection persisted for six months and he started spitting up blood, he knew he needed to go to the hospital.

He was admitted overnight on March 12 and examined the next morning. Days later, he was meeting with Dr. Michael Sim, surgical oncologist specializing in Head and Neck Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction at the IU Health Joe & Shelly Schwarz Cancer Center in Carmel.

An unexpected diagnosis

Hedrick learned he had a tumor in his throat and stage three squamous cell carcinoma.

“It was the first time since I was 18 years old that I didn’t have control over my life,” he says.

The cancer was right above his larynx and had spread down onto the larynx and into the lymph nodes on the right side of his neck.

Dr. Sim did not believe surgery would be the best route for Hedrick. Instead, Hedrick connected with Dr. Anna Roshal, a hematologist-oncologist at the IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center and IU Health West. She recommended chemotherapy and radiation.

Because Hedrick lived closer to IU Health West, he completed eight weeks total of both chemotherapy and radiation there. He finished his final treatment in June of 2024.

“I don’t have anything bad to say about the IU Health people,” he says. “Everybody was so kind and nice.”

The mental and emotional toll

Though he had completed this treatment milestone, Hedrick was battling the mental and emotional effects of the cancer.

“It was fight or flight at first. The true depression really kicked in about the time I was done with the treatments,” he said.

Hedrick considered himself a “tough guy.” He initially tried to get through the depression on his own, but he realized that wasn’t his best option.

“I’m one of those tough guys who wouldn’t tell anyone, but I finally reached out to West, and they got me on meds,” he says.

Starting rehabilitation

After his chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Hedrick returned to the IU Health Schwarz Cancer Center to begin working with the Rehabilitation team. He worked with speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists and physical therapists.

He particularly connected with Julia Porter, a speech-language pathologist and team lead for Oncology Rehabilitation. Porter is a head and neck cancer survivor herself

“I first met Steve after he had finished his chemoradiation treatment. He was experiencing ongoing swallowing issues related to his cancer treatment," she says. "I’m grateful that here, our patients benefit from cross-departmental collaboration and dedication to the best patient care. In Steve’s case, he received Rehabilitation support from a variety of disciplines, including Speech-Language Pathologist Erin Kollada, Occupational Therapists Carrie Morris and Beth Maier and Physical Therapists Sandra Takoch and Nikki Cooper. Together, we all work diligently as a team to create the best care plan for our patients.”

Hedrick shares that he is not one to typically open up, but he felt he could trust Porter.

“It’s why I like talking to people like Julia. I can say whatever I think. She’s done it. She’s been through it,” he says.

“I just try and meet people where they are,” Porter adds. “He knows my story, so he knows I know what it's like to just try and get back to life while also having ongoing clinic visits, scans and everything else. I recognize that there's a distinct and deeply personal difference between ‘before cancer’ life and ‘after cancer’ life.”

Raising awareness

April is Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, an annual observance to raise awareness about cancers that develop in or around the throat, larynx, nose, sinuses or mouth.

Hedrick is still experiencing the ongoing appointments. He recently met with Dr. Sim and will soon have to undergo another biopsy.

However, he hopes to encourage others who may be going through a similar journey, especially when it comes to mental health.

“Be vigilant and speak out,” he says. “I hid it forever. I didn’t want to tell anybody. Once I started telling people, they were able to help.”

Hedrick’s vulnerability is something that has inspired Porter.

“Steve's awesome. I hate that he's about to have a biopsy, and all that fear and worry is coming back,” she says. “Survivorship is a mental and physical battle, and Steve is open about both. Our Rehab team has really enjoyed working with him and will be there for him no matter what during his journey.”

To learn more about head and neck cancer, visit: https://iuhealth.org/find-medi....