By Colleen Robb

Living with HIV can be challenging; discovering that you have cancer when you are HIV positive can be devastating. Henry Martinez, a resident of Wilton Manors for nearly fifteen years, has made it his mission to not only share his story and raise money for cancer research, but also to let the HIV positive community know that going through treatments in South Florida is not the best option.

After a visit to the University of California, San Francisco Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, Henry discovered that his doctors in South Florida were simply not equipped or prepared to treat someone with cancer who is also HIV positive. The South Florida doctors were too aggressive with surgical procedures, negligent in his recovery process, and recommending treatments that Henry would probably not survive, due to his suppressed immune system.

Unfortunately, the discovery that Henry had received sub-standard medical care was made a little too late. Henry has already undergone several surgeries, one of which has left him without an anus, just an opening that allows him to not be dependent on a colostomy bag. The recovery process for this aggressive surgery nearly killed him.

The surgery left Henry with a gaping wound approximately four to five inches long, two inches deep and two inches wide on each internal butt cheek. After Henry returned home, his dressings needed to be changed at least seven times a day due to bleeding.

However, when Henry was discharged from the hospital, they arranged for a nurse to come to change his dressing just once a day.

They also failed to provide him with dietary instructions and, as a direct result, Henry suffered from many complications and a lot of unnecessary pain.

The only reason Henry was able to survive through the home care process was because his long-time friends flew from San Francisco to help. The nurse showed his friends how to change his dressing.

The results of the surgery were disappointing, but Henry’s doctor seemed pleased that only 30% of the skin graft remained intact.

Henry’s oncologist recommended chemotherapy and radiation as soon as his wound healed a bit more, and his doctors installed a port in his chest in preparation for treatment.

Prior to the chemotherapy and radiation, Henry flew home to San Francisco where his sister arranged for him to meet with doctors at the UCSF Helen Diller Cancer Center. Upon review of his medical history, and physical examination, the doctor stated that chemotherapy and radiation would be too dangerous for Henry, given his HIV and current condition. The doctor recommended an additional procedure to widen the margins and laser the affected areas, as it was clear the last procedure in Florida was insufficient.

All those that know Henry appreciate his enthusiastic and child-like personality. Henry has worked as a hair stylist, dog-walker & dog-sitter, and has always had a creative flair. Henry has a difficult journey ahead of him, but is prepared to continue fighting the cancer.

Henry also wants to prevent others from suffering through the poor medical care he was given and is sharing his story so that others can be spared the pain he went through. He is hosting a fundraising event for the UCSF Cancer Center on Sunday, October 23rd at 7 p.m. at the Manor to raise both awareness about this issue and encourage others in the same situation to explore medical options outside South Florida.

For more information, please call 954-817-6600.