Dana Sutherland

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support, words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.


My mother, Dana, was recently diagnosed with  Hypopharyngeal  Cancer.   The hypopharynx is the part of the throat (pharynx) that lies beside and behind the larynx.  The hypopharynx is the entrance into the esophagus.  Food goes from the mouth and through the hypopharynx and esophagus, where it then passes into the stomach.  The structure of the hypopharynx makes sure that food goes around the larynx and into the esophagus.  


Mom's cancer is in stage III,  as it has spread to her larynx (voice box), piriform sinus, right aryepiglottic fold and spread to at least one lymph node.  Her right vocal cord is paralyzed due to how large her tumor is.  


Ok.... now that I have given everyone an anatomy lesson and the hard facts,  I now want to tell you the good news!  Since mom has never been a smoker, nor much of a drinker,  her chances of beating this horrible disease are much better.    We are staying positive that mom will get through the next 7 weeks of chemo and radiation with minimal side effects.  Other than having cancer,  mom is very healthy.  She is the strongest person I know and a fighter (not to mention a little stubborn).


We appreciate everyones thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.  l will be updating moms status, along with photos, over the next 7 weeks.  I will also read to mom your messages to brighten her day and for her to know that she is being thought of. 


FYI:  any donations that you send go directly to this web-site  (to my knowledge) not to cancer research or mom's medical bills.