G. Chris Gauer, San Francisco Firefighter
Captain G. Chris Gauer | Vocal Cord Cancer | Diagnosis at 44
About Me
I’m G. Chris Gauer, a San Francisco firefighter. In my downtime, I loved going to the gym, hiking, and enjoying outdoor adventures with my family, including my identical twin girls. However, life can change in an instant.
How This Started
It all started with a persistent sore throat.
What I Noticed
The sore throat didn’t resolve the way an ordinary one would — it persisted long enough that I knew it wasn’t just a passing irritation.
My Decisions Along the Way
Even after the first biopsy came back negative, I didn’t let the reassurance stop me from getting checked again once the sore throat continued.
Why It Was Easy to Wait
The first biopsy came back negative for cancer, which would have given most people a reasonable excuse to stop worrying about the symptom.
he Moment Things Changed
Getting a second biopsy after the first one came back clear, rather than accepting that negative result as the final word, is what caught the cancer.
What Happened Next
After consulting my doctor, we did a biopsy, and I was relieved when it came back negative for cancer. But as my symptoms persisted, we did another biopsy test. This time, the results were different: I was diagnosed with early-stage vocal cord cancer, fortunately caught before it spread to my lymph nodes.
What Would Have Helped Sooner
If I’d pushed for a retest the moment my throat stayed sore, instead of waiting to see whether it would resolve on its own, I might have caught this even earlier.
What I Learned and What I Want Others to Know
I underwent radiation treatment and was back at work within three months. But less than a year later, the cancer returned. This time, the only option was a total laryngectomy, which meant losing my vocal cords and living with a permanent stoma. A persistent symptom deserves a second look even after one test comes back clear — the first biopsy missed it, and only a repeat test caught the cancer before it spread further.
Changes I Noticed
Persistent Sore throat.
