In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Al Viller was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma at the base of his tongue, which manifested as a lump on his neck.
Allison, Al’s dear wife, researched cancer treatment options near their Peachtree Corners home. Her search led them to Northside Hospital Cancer Institute in Alpharetta. Radiation oncologist Dr. Sandra Gregory and medical oncologist Dr. Pradeep Jolly led Al’s care.
“I had an instant connection with my team, and I knew we were in the right place,” Al said.
His treatment, which began on June 30, 2020, consisted of 35 daily radiation treatments combined with seven weekly chemotherapy treatments.
“When I reached the midway point of treatment, I naively thought the worst was behind me,” Al recalled. “I quickly learned that treatment can become progressively more difficult, and that side effects may persist long after the last treatment.”
While radiation attacked his cancer, it impaired Al’s ability to eat, so he received a feeding tube for nutrition. Toward the end of treatment, he lost the ability to speak. Since Allison couldn’t attend his appointments due to COVID-19 protocols, Al’s medical team made accommodations for them to talk via FaceTime.
“Cancer treatment was the hardest thing I had ever done,” Al said.
In November, two months after completing treatment, Al’s pain began to subside, and he received the “all-clear” from his doctors. He recalled skipping across the parking lot to share the news with Allison. It was a Thanksgiving he’ll always remember.
It has now been almost five years since Al’s battle with cancer. He remains cancer-free and continues to receive encouraging reports from his care team.
“I do have residual side effects from radiation, which is to be expected, like persistent dry mouth, but I’m healthy, strong and I feel great!” he said.
“My initial focus was surviving this disease, but I knew that I also wanted to grow through it, not just go through it.”
Al still brings this mindset to his life today. For several years, he has chosen a word of the year as inspiration. In 2021, while recovering from treatment, Al chose “stronger.” How fitting that the word Al chose for 2025 is “evolve,” as he has recently embarked on a new life adventure — a sabbatical after taking advantage of an early retirement program at work.
Al is excited to pause, reflect and ponder what’s next, and he already has intentions to prioritize fitness and community service. For example, he recently ran a 5k and joined a gym.
Al also continues mentoring people who are early in their careers. Cancer helped Al appreciate the deeper meaning of community, as he profoundly believes that “our lives are all intertwined, we can learn something from everyone, and we’re truly all in this together.”
Later this year, Al will celebrate five years cancer-free.
“Fighting cancer is a team sport,” Al shared with deep gratitude.
“I’m thankful for the entire team at Northside Hospital Cancer Institute — from the welcoming faces at the front desks to the unsung heroes behind the scenes and the dedicated medical professionals who cared deeply and stood with me throughout my treatment.
“They’re extraordinary human beings, and we can’t remind them of that often enough.”
Learn more about the Northside Hospital Cancer Institute Head & Neck Cancer Program.
*The health story shared here is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Patients should consult with their own physician before making medical decisions.
