When Patrick first started work as Director of the Castro Senior Center in 2007, he knew his job would be rewarding. But he never imagined the seniors that he supported would one day literally save his life.
The Castro Senior Center is one of 21 sites across San Francisco where Project Open Hand serves nutritious lunch every day to seniors (age 60+) and adults with disabilities. As the Director of the Castro Senior Center, Patrick promotes health and wellness for local seniors by leading and facilitating a myriad of activities before and after lunch – from poetry and book clubs, to music appreciation and current events discussions.
After a series of bad sore throats last summer, Patrick noticed a small lump on his neck. At first, his doctor put him on antibiotics and told him not to worry. After three more months, Patrick insisted on a biopsy, which confirmed his worst fears: cancer. By the time he was diagnosed, the cancer had metastasized and he required surgery to remove his tonsils, tissue from his neck and 75 lymph nodes.
After surgery, Patrick traveled to Kaiser Oakland for daily radiation treatment. When he became too weak to make the trip on BART, he moved into the guest bedroom in his brother’s East Bay home. After six weeks, Patrick wanted nothing more than to return home to his own bed.
“When I came home, I was so tired,” Patrick recalled. “I had no taste buds and total dry mouth from the radiation and didn’t really feel like eating anything. Also, because I am single and living alone, no one was there reminding me to eat.”
Though friends would stop by periodically and bring groceries, Patrick usually didn’t feel well enough to prepare them. Living alone, battling isolation and depression, he lost over 30 pounds, reaching a low of 145 lbs. on his 6’1” frame.
When his landlord, Ricardo – a senior who is a “regular” at the Castro Senior Center – returned from several months of being away, he was alarmed to discover how thin and weak Patrick had become.
“Right away, Ricardo insisted that he bring Project Open Hand’s meals to me,” Patrick said, smiling. “For 10 weeks, Ricardo brought lunch home from the Senior Center every day until I was able to get back to work. Ricardo and those meals saved my life. My whole sense of energy and life came back.”
The seniors at the Castro Senior Site also played a key role in boosting Patrick’s spirits: “From the very beginning of the illness and throughout my recuperation I received constant messages of love and support from the seniors through cards and phone calls. I kept piling the cards up all around me in my bedroom,” Patrick said, tears welling up in his eyes. “Knowing my seniors were thinking about me, that connection sustained me through my darkest days.”
“This whole experience has given me an even deeper appreciation for my community,” said Patrick, who is back at work 3 to 4 days a week. ”My seniors are inundating me with cards, hugs and they say, ‘We’re so glad you’re back. And we’re not letting you leave us again!’
“It’s not just the food. On days when I’m not working, as I continue to rest and recover, Ricardo still brings me meals. That connection, and the seniors’ caring for me has meant the world to me. How many people have jobs where your clients turn around and take care of you? I look forward to getting back to work full time. It’s so great to know I can get up every day and feel good about the work I do at the Castro Senior Center.”
Raising Awareness of HPV Cancers
One of the reasons Patrick chose to share his story is to raise awareness of HPV, the Human Papillomavirus. The latest data shows that LGBT people and particularly people with HIV or compromised immune systems are considered at a high risk for getting cancer caused by HPV. Patrick encourages people to be aware of the beginning symptoms of chronic sore throats and a small lump in the neck.
Most adults have HPV in their bodies, but the majority show no harmful results. There is now a vaccine for those who have not yet contracted the virus. HPV is emerging as a serious health threat with over 300,000 individuals now diagnosed with HPV related head and neck cancer or cervical cancer. Learn more about HPV.