The FIGHT Against CANCER

Todd Pfaffle

Red Oak 

I’ve been dealing with cancer since I was 38 years old. That’s 17 years. 

In 2000, I had a lump in my mouth that my dentist said was nothing, but that I should have it removed and tested. It turned out to be malignant melanoma. I had recurrences in 2005 and 2015, with the usual treatments of radiation. I’ve also had immunotherapy.

When I had my first recurrence in 2005, I was falling apart mentally. I was told I had a 10 percent chance of living five years. That was devastating. I still had two teens at home, and the thought of having to tell them I had cancer again was devastating. For a week, I couldn’t face anyone. Then I got a call from a nurse at the University of Iowa; she called to schedule my surgery. She knew I was struggling and she said the words that would change my attitude. She said, “Don’t be discouraged by the numbers or percentages you’re told. Your case is different than anyone else. Don’t let this destroy you and cause you to give up.” From that moment on, I changed my attitude and decided I would live and enjoy my life regardless of the number of days left.                                                                   

That wasn’t always easy. Radiation ravaged my body. My lips were burned black and my tongue burned so it was white in color. Swallowing Ensure was like trying to swallow a basketball. I still have many side effects from radiation.

In 2014, we moved to Red Oak and bought the Midwest Furniture building. While restoring our new building, I found a lump on my face and, of course, feared the worse. After surgery it was confirmed I had malignant melanoma for the third time.

I then went to the Mayo Clinics in Rochester, Minn., and was put on the immunotherapy drug Keytruda. I went through eight treatments till my body couldn’t withstand the side effects.

Cancer treatment has made great strides and has increased survival rates. God has blessed me greatly. I wasn’t supposed to live, and I have watched my three daughters graduate college. I just walked my middle daughter down the aisle for her wedding, and I look forward to walking our baby down the aisle next April.