Source: The Cherokee Scout
Author: Lizz Harold

Marble – Switching out one form of tobacco for another, Rick Miller, 44, learned how to quit smoking and dipping the hard way.

Miller went to a doctor in March to see if an ulcer inside his mouth could be removed. He expected a round of antibiotics or oral surgery. He figured he would be back to dipping as usual after it was taken care of.

“I really didn’t have any symptoms. I got an ulcer underneath my tongue. They thought it was all it was,” Miller said.     Miller’s wife, Nicolia, did what most people do when they suspect they have an ailment. She went online and did an Internet search. After doing her own research, she was convinced it was mouth cancer, and Miller decided to see a specialist to see if their suspicions were correct.

“Everything happened so fast after that,” Miller said.

Informed by the specialist that he had oral cancer, he was immediately set up with a chemotherapy and radiation doctor.

The father of four, two who are twin toddlers, had to undergo bouts of chemotherapy – including days where it was pumping into him everyday.

From dipping to smoking

Eight years ago, he stopped a 21-year smoking habit and began dipping tobacco. After more than 30 years of combined tobacco use, Miller has been forced to give up his addiction.

“I gave up smoking and needed something to fill the void,” Miller said.

He said he got a big wake-up call when his body began to change. He lost weight and hair as his body was ravaged by treatments. He has a difficult time explaining his physical transformation to his children.

“I have my 4-year-old daughter grab my hand and ask, ‘Daddy, are you still sick?’ It is heartbreaking,” he said.

Miller had surgery to install a feeding tube late last month. His stomach had to be shifted in place to fit the tube and the entire surgery cost about $15,000.

He has one last round of chemotherapy before he starts radiation treatments. Miller’s mouth and throat will be so sore and damaged, he will be unable to speak normally for about two months.

The aggressive treatments, paired with stacking hospital bills, have Miller concerned for his family.

Beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday in the Peachtree Community Center, there will be an all-day event to help the Millers afford hospital payments. The morning starts off with a yard sale lasting until noon.

Rib Country in Murphy has donated barbecue for the benefit and plates will be sold at 4 p.m. Anyone is invited to attend and enjoy a bluegrass band along with gospel music from Vengeance Creek Baptist Church.

An auction and cake walk starts at 5 p.m. The public can partake in a dunking booth from 4:30-5 p.m. Anyone interested in donating items to the auction can call Debra Keating at 557-0036 or Robert Debty at 361-7354.

Teen dippers also at risk

On April 8, Chais Wright, 18, a senior at Andrews High School, volunteered to have a free oral cancer screening.

He lined up for the screening in the school’s gymnasium following a presentation from Gruen Von Behrens, a nationally known speaker and oral cancer survivor who used dip tobacco as a teenager.

Wright is a dipper like Miller, and while being screened by school nurse Barbara Haydon, several lesions were found in his mouth. A lesion can be a precursor to cancer.

Haydon said he went to his regular family physician due to her recommendation.

“He quit for two weeks and the lesions went away,” Haydon said.

Wright started dipping when he was 13, and he said it is common for men in Andrews to submit to a chewing tobacco culture. The taste, feel and look of dipping is still appealing to him, he said.

“I’m concerned. I’m trying to quit right now,” Wright said.

Wright admits to dipping; however, the risks are not lost on him. He said he used to go through a can of snuff a day. Now, one can last him about four days.

Wright’s father, Roger, has been a dipper for 30 years. He said he supports his son’s efforts to quit.

“There is nothing appealing about it. It is the worst drug in the world,” Roger said.