The realization that life is worth living is one of the main reasons why David Harris is fighting so hard.

Nearly four years ago, Harris, who resides in Huntsville, began experiencing a slight swelling in his neck and a deviated uvula. While he didn’t have any pain symptoms, doctor Richard Trenholm at Huntsville District Memorial Hospital doctor ordered a CT scan, which revealed throat cancer.

“My father had numerous heart attacks and the final one killed him at 51,” said Harris. “The heart was always my concern and that’s why I worked so hard as a cardiovascular athlete. Though no doctor would agree, I'm convinced that the immune system fighting a tooth infection was weakened and this allowed the cancer to take hold.”

A professional photographer, golf pro and former advocate for the Canadian Cancer Society, Harris underwent his first operation in October 2007 at Mount Sinai in Toronto, in which a surgeon was able to successfully remove the cancer. However, on May 28 of this year, he underwent a second surgery to remove a tumor that had grown in the base of his tongue, as well as a spot on the right side of his throat. Doctors discovered that the tumor was larger than they thought and had developed a number of tentacles that were burrowing into the very base of his tongue and throat. While all of the cancer that was visible to the eye was removed, there was some microscopic traces of it left.  

“During the last one they took out three-quarters of my tongue and replaced it with part of my right shoulder pectoral muscle,” he said.

His battle with cancer has left Harris with the notion that any day is a good day as long as you’re living. But there’s one thing he can always count on to make himself feel better, and that is journaling his experience online on a website he created. Harris uses The Pine Dog website (www.pinedog.ca) as a way to unleash his feelings, and let others relate, during this tough time.

“Since I started (the website) last fall I have had 6,750 visits from 36 countries and it all started with an email to 100 friends and acquaintances. I find it therapeutic and am amazed at the response. I will write about how I can’t eat and can’t really speak properly and how this affects me. (The goal of writing online) is to make people aware of the horrors of cancer, how important it is to maintain good health and what you do with your life when you only have a limited time left to live it. It is basically my personal journey and covers the disease, things spiritual and the Ontario medical system.”

For over a year, Harris has been journaling on his website about four or five times a week; however, the website is currently being revamped and will be back up and running on Sept. 17, a week before he undergoes an “important checkup” at Mount Sinai, where a surgeon will look down his throat for the first time since the surgery and tell Harris if the cancer has progressed.

When the website is back up and running, articles will be posted about the background to his illness, his experience with doctors in Huntsville and the lead up to his latest hospital visit have all been planned.  

“So many people have written about their cancer journey, I don’t want to replay the same theme,” he said. “Not knowing how much time I have left, I've got this idea percolating in the back of my mind: A farewell tour like The Grateful Dead or Led Zeppelin. Nancy and I would travel around North America in our Airstream meeting the 20 or so people who played an important role in my life.  I have lots of really interesting stories to tell about each and every one and our adventures together.  It would make for fascinating reading on the Pinedog.”