Spence Churchill has had trouble swallowing for most of his life as the result of having polio as a child. He managed his condition without trouble until about three years ago, when doctors discovered an almost baseball-sized tumor on his left thyroid. Surgery to remove the cancerous mass didn’t help with his swallowing, so he was forced to use a feeding tube. After examining Churchill and talking with him about his swallowing issues, UAMS otolaryngologist Dr. James Suen said he could help. Dr. Suen used Botox injections to relax a paralyzed vocal cord, greatly improving Churchill’s ability to swallow and eliminating the need for a feeding tube.
“I’m so glad my wife and daughter convinced me to seek help. I had resigned myself to possibly having a feeding tube the rest of my life, and I’m eternally grateful to Dr. Suen for his experience, expertise and willingness to help. He nailed it for me.” – Spence Churchill, Little Rock
