Robert B. Haase’s public speaking career was temporarily derailed when he was told he would lose half of his tongue to save his life. On October 3, 2013, Robert had his 13th tongue cancer surgery, known as a "hemiglossectomy", removing the entire left half of his tongue. Robert released his book, Not What You Had Planned: Finding Strength and Hope in the Storms of Adversity, in July 2020.
Robert is available for public speaking engagements and can be contacted by email.
It has been said, "You may be cancer-free, but you’re not free of cancer.” Regardless of the type of cancer, the psychological, physical, and emotional impacts endure. I did not choose to have cancer, but I can choose how I respond to it and the effects of treatment. Just as others have encouraged and supported me through this process, I hope to give back and offer the same to you. In my latest video, I share about these last 5-years as I've been "dancing with N.E.D.", as a friend says, or "no evidence of disease". I also lend some insights to those who are facing the possibility of a hemiglossectomy as well as those recovering from one or other types of oral cancers.
Ever get so busy with life you forget to update your blog? :-) I posted this video on YouTube back in October of this year, but didn't post it on my blog at the same time. My apologies!
Here is the YouTube Post:
"On October 3, 2017, Robert Haase celebrated four years of being cancer free. In this encouragement update, Robert speaks about what he's learned as he's researching for his new book, Run Through the Fire."
To my readers, thank you for all of your prayers and encouragement. And, to those who happen upon this blog in search of answers about hemiglossectomy, tongue cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, or learning to speak with your "new" tongue after surgery and treatment, please feel free to drop me an email. I would love to encourage you and your loved ones through this difficult time.
Hello again! As I sat down to write this morning, I realized it has been months since my last post. Some have wondered if that was an "ominous sign" and were worried the cancer was back, but I'm happy to report I am well and have been keeping myself more than busy. The biggest news is, as of October 3, 2017, I have been officially
cancer-free for 4-years! Statistically, I shouldn't still be here, but I
have much to do in my mission to bless and encourage others as they face or recover from their
own life-challenging situations. Over these past few months, I've been teaching my seminars, traveling extensively in the US and Europe as well as working on my upcoming book about facing adversity, Run Through the Fire. The research phase for my book has been beyond inspiring as I have been speaking with others who have gone through their own hardships, emerging better people on the other side. As I write, I don't want to just tell you about my story and what tools I used to remain positive during my experiences, but I want to learn from you as well. If you have gone through adversity of some type, I would mean a lot to me have you lend me your insights. To help me in this process, please download my adversity questionnaire here. In celebration of my 48-month milestone, I made a short video to share just a little of what I have been learning. In case you're wondering why there is a black strap over my left shoulder, I am recovering from a major shoulder and biceps repair surgery. It seems my pre-cancer-super-human-strength hasn't just yet. I attempted to catch a 125lb window-mount air conditioner with my right arm as it fell due to a faulty "heavy-duty" mount bracket failure. Let's just say typing isn't as easy with an arm sling in place. ;-) Enjoy...
I can't believe so much time has passed since my last post! It has now been 3-years and 4-months since having the left half of my tongue removed (a hemiglossectomy). Life has been good and I continue to feel blessed by even the simplest of things. 2016 brought blessings including new friends, a new home, and most amazingly, a an amazing wife! For details, please watch my latest video blog post from today.
In my opinion, it does not matter what type of cancer a person gets because the reality is, all cancer all is bad.
It has always seemed odd to me to financially support research fora particular type of cancer because all cancer is fundamentally an out-of-control mutation of the body's cells.
What I have learned from the 14 surgical procedures on my tongue is that the physical devastation of most cancer types can be hidden from the public.I mean no disrespect to those who have suffered from breast cancer, liver cancer, or others, but most cancer survivors can cover their scars and camouflage most of the damage that cancer leaves in its wake. Tongue cancer survivors are not as "fortunate", however. We cannot hide that we talk different or that we cannot swallow the same. We do not have a functioning tongue to easily sweep away the food that cakes into our teeth as we eat in public. If we had radiation treatments, we likely have limited salivary gland function and cannot easily eat or talk much without a beverage in hand. We look at artisan bread as a tasteless sponge in our mouths. At the very least, it forces us to put our egos aside and be humbledsince the swath of destruction is out there for everyone to see when we endure the ravages of tongue cancer.
When
I found out that I was going to have 1/2 of my tongue cut out, I
panicked at first. Then I did what most do when we want information on
something we do not understand... we "Google it"... The trouble was, when I
searched, nearly all of the information referred to the "facts" about hemiglossectomy rather than
the reality of what I should expect. With the exception of one video I found,
every site wanted to educate me on what a "hemiglossectomy" was. I
wanted to know what to expect.
As
you probably know by now, my intent in starting this blog was to not
just to chronicle my story but to encourage others and help people who were
also facing an impending hemiglossectomy. People who were
about to face the unimaginable. Regardless
of what you are facing, how you get through it comes down to choice. A choice that
involves a series of individual steps in the direction that you affix your
gaze.
I know from experience that the reassuring voice from one of my iPhone GPS apps giving me a heads-up, warning me about upcoming turns, traffic and hazards, making the journey easier. The
point is, knowing what to expect can be hugely impactful. Knowing that something bad is in our future can be unsettling, but when we lack information about what lies ahead, it can be downright scary.
With this in mind I have decided to begin building a platform for others to tell their stories, allowing their experiences to be a blessing to the world. I hope to help those who are facing a hemiglossectomy by giving them the information they need to mentally prepare.
In October of this year I took a trip out to New York City and met with an amazing woman, Erica Casucci, who had a hemiglossectomy just two-months prior to when we met. Erica was researching the procedure prior to having it done and found this blog which helped prepare her for what lay ahead. I asked her if she would be willing to be my first interview to help others and she agreed, even though she still is struggling with her speech. This following video was filmed on October 17, 2015:
If you have any questions, please feel free to send them along and I will try to address them in an upcoming blog or video post.
I cannot believe it has been 24-months since my hemiglossectomy and if there is one thing I have learned, it is this:
Life doesn't stop for cancer.
Making the choice to push on when confronted with adversity doesn't make us special. It is all about taking inventory of what is important to us, finding a reason to not give up and pushing through. To those who get those devastating words, "You have cancer", I encourage you to not let cancer define you. Let it just be another chapter in the adventure of life. Do not waste your energy worrying about dying but instead be grateful for the blessing of another day of living.
The following is my video message celebrating 24-months of recovery after having 1/2 of my tongue, the left half, cut out...
To those of you who have contacted me and shared the story of your own hemiglossectomy, thank you. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to pray for you hopefully encourage you. Please know that you are not in this journey alone.
