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Cancer Survivor Smiles Again
Four years ago, Roy Gillian of Ocean
City was facing the greatest challenge
of his life. His battle with throat cancer
led him to extended stays in the hospital,
radiation treatments, and chemotherapy
before he finally beat the disease. However,
Roy’s victory over cancer took its toll on
his body. Months of radiation therapy ultimately
caused the loss of his teeth.
"After everything you
go through in fighting
cancer, this was something
I didn’t expect.
But I was nonetheless
ready to fight," says
Roy, who sought permanent
replacement teeth
implants. However, no
dental surgeon would
agree to perform the procedure
without him also
undergoing hyperbaric
oxygen therapy.
After conducting some
research, Roy chose
Ocean Medical Center,
the only hospital in the
region that offers hyperbaric
oxygen therapy. This
therapy is a painless and
effective method of treating
a wide range of conditions
through exposing the patient to a pressurized,
100 percent oxygen environment.
"I could have easily gone to a
Philadelphia hospital, but instead chose
Ocean Medical Center because the physicians
are incredibly qualified, the staff is
extremely knowledgeable and caring, the
equipment is state-of-the-art, and the location
is much more convenient," states Roy.
During a hyperbaric oxygen therapy
treatment, a patient lies down on a padded
table that slides into a clear acrylic tube. The
tube is then slowly pressurized with pure
oxygen, and the patient simply breathes normally
for 30 minutes to two hours. The pure
oxygen treatment increases oxygen delivery
to the body’s tissue, advancing wound healing,
supporting greater blood vessel formation,
and improving infection control.
"Hyperbaric therapy is an attractive, painless,
and effective treatment for appropriate
patients," says Cornelius Gallagher, M.D.,
medical director of Hyperbaric Medicine at
Ocean Medical Center. "The treatments for
most patients are very similar to the sensation
of being on an airplane. They just breathe
normally and results are seen fairly quickly."
After treatment, Roy was able to receive
the first of his replacement teeth, and has
since seen great results — he is scheduled
for the remaining implants. "I am really
looking forward to having my smile back,"
says Roy.
 – Michael Valentino
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