After more than 40 years working in health care, much of it alongside physicians treating people with cancer, Pat Camalliere never expected to become a patient herself. After retiring, she began a second career as a historical mystery novelist. Then, in 2017 at age 75, a tender lump under her jaw led to an unexpected diagnosis of HPV-related squamous cell cancer. Pat underwent 35 radiation treatments and eight chemotherapy infusions, experiencing firsthand many of the challenges she had witnessed throughout her career.

During treatment, Pat began writing a weekly blog about her experience, hoping that sharing what she was learning could help others facing cancer. Treatment brought significant challenges, including pain from radiation and difficulty eating, and taught her how different the experience of cancer can be when you are the patient rather than the health care professional.

Eight years later, Pat is cancer-free, although she continues to manage late effects including lymphedema, neuropathy, coughing, and difficulty swallowing. She has returned to many of the things she loves, including writing, spending time with family, and speaking publicly. Through sharing her experience, Pat hopes to help others with head and neck cancer and their loved ones feel more prepared and less alone.