In August of 2024, Randy Smith received emergency care for what he believed was COVID. Based on his respiratory symptoms, fatigue and headaches, that had to be it.
A CT scan revealed a mass in his neck that had pushed his airway aside and was cutting off oxygen. He was immediately moved to the ICU at the Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota, and underwent emergency life-saving surgery.
This was the beginning of a Stage 4 thyroid cancer journey that continues for Randy, a 58-year-old outside sales rep for Dakota Wholesale Tire.
His life since his diagnosis has been distinctive in the energy and passion he has brought to it under difficult circumstances. He has expressed his gratitude for his Sanford care in his writing, which now includes five books.
His wife Carmen Smith has been through two transplants herself since the couple married more than 30 years ago, so at certain times in Randy’s life he has had a heightened awareness of what goes into caring for people with health issues. Or at least he thought he did.
“I thought I understood the role of a caregiver,” he said. “But now I know I really didn’t understand it until I went through my own health problems. The care I’ve received from my Sanford team – watching them put on a uniform every day and stand with us when we’re at our most vulnerable – you see that they truly do care. They put their heart into it.”
Hands that give strength
Randy’s first book, called “The Road Unknown: My Cancer Journey,” contains poetry he wrote while in the Fargo ICU. This faith-based collection recently won an International Impact Award for poetry.
Photo courtesy of Randy Smith
There is a framed copy of Randy’s poem in the Fargo ICU. He gave several signed copies of his book to ICU staffers who were part of his care.
The poem, “In the Hushed Light of the ICU,” includes this:
“They poke and they prod, with needles and scans,
But beyond all the tests, there are gentle hands,
Hands that hold hope, when mine start to shake,
Hands that give strength, when it feels hard to take”
The book has opened doors for Randy. Based on what he has heard from readers, it has also opened doors for others.
“I’m hearing from people all over the world about what this book and the poems in it have done for them,” Randy said. “The poems are all really about my Sanford journey – from my surgeons all the way to the billing department. It’s all about what a person goes through when stuff like this happens.”
He has gone on to write four more books: “The Journey Continues,” “Soups and Poems,” “Inspirational Quotes,” and “Strength for Battle” are all aimed at helping readers find insight, faith and inspiration.
Less time talking, more time listening
He was told he might never speak again after his first surgery. He has since regained his voice, both literally and figuratively, you could say. Though the cancer remains and his aggressive treatment continues, he has returned to his job and stays as active as possible.
“The first thing that I try is tell people with cancer is to get them to understand they have to breathe,” Randy said. “Take the deep breaths in and out and no matter what’s going on, put two feet on the floor and get out the door. Don’t curl up. Do everything you can to keep moving. When you rest, you rust. Get out the door if you’re physically capable because you’re never going to regret those moments.”
The writing – he has also written songs that have been recorded – has provided its own therapy since he was young and dealing with anger issues. When surgery temporarily took from him his ability to speak, he spent more time listening, thinking and writing.
“I’d be laying in bed and watching everything that was going on,” Randy said. “In a way I was hearing and listening for the first time. You see things through a new light, through new eyes and ears. It led me to write it down and share it with my Sanford care team at the ICU.”
He remains a willing partner with his providers in addressing his disease. To his way of thinking, taking an active role in his treatment is a way of saying thank you to those who are there for him.
“The biggest thing for me is that continuing to be a positive light,” he said. “That’s because of my team and the care that I’ve received. I’d give them all gold medals and make all their dreams come true if I could. I would do that in a heartbeat because I’m still kicking. It’s because of them and the care I’ve received.”
Graphic by Retta Hausman, Sanford Health
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Posted In Cancer, Emergency Medicine, Fargo
