In 2013, Johannes Schwaiger, then 56, a classically trained opera, oratorio, concert, and musical theater vocalist, suddenly had problems with his voice. “It became hoarse, but I didn’t pay too much attention to it,” Schwaiger says. Fortunately, his wife and vocal partner, Tessa Lang, insisted he see an otolaryngologist.

Testing revealed stage 4 throat cancer, which had spread to his lymph nodes. “I told the doctors, ‘If you take my voice away, I just might die,’” he says. Fortunately, Mark S. Persky, MD, professor emeritus of otolaryngology at NYU Langone Health, and Kenneth S. Hu, MD, co-director of the Head and Neck Center at Perlmutter Cancer Center, devised a plan to remove the cancer while sparing his voice.

Still, after three rounds of chemotherapy and 35 rounds of radiation, Schwaiger’s “throat felt cooked. Trying to sing again was torture. The throat muscles I had trained my entire life were seemingly gone,” he says. At Dr. Hu’s suggestion, Schwaiger tried integrative health services, including acupuncture and positive imagery.

Learning to Thrive After Cancer Treatment

The Survivorship Program at Perlmutter Cancer Center aims to help patients during and after their cancer treatment. In Schwaiger’s case, that meant using integrative services to aid his physical and emotional recovery. Positive imagery, in particular, helped him with the “attitude part” of his recovery, he says.

“We want to help everyone touched by a cancer diagnosis to live their best life possible,” says Marleen I. Meyers, MD, director of the Survivorship Program. Care is personalized so that every patient receives the support they need to manage the effects of cancer and cancer treatment, she explains. Offerings include oncology rehabilitation, nutrition, cardio-oncology, psychology, educational talks, and web-based and in-person classes to help patients and caregivers through this difficult time.

Slowly, the sound and quality of Schwaiger’s professional singing voice returned, along with his performer’s confidence. “As I was trying to sing, I would just close my eyes, scan my body, and ask the question: ‘If this way doesn’t work, which way does?’ I also imagined myself back on stage, singing with clarity and ease,” Schwaiger says. “I had to reconstruct my talent, and it took an immense amount of work. It was like learning how to walk again.”

This Is What Cancer Survivorship Sounds Like

Schwaiger’s perseverance paid off. After performing a series of concerts in Europe, the couple performed live in New York City for the first time since Schwaiger’s diagnosis 11 years ago.

Their premiere performance of All the Love in the World, a selection of love songs from American, French, and Italian songbooks, took place on June 6 at Kaufman Music Center at Merkin Hall. It showcased Schwaiger’s determination and the support he and Lang received from his NYU Langone medical team.

Among the songs Schwaiger performed was a soaring rendition of “The Impossible Dream,” from the musical Man of La Mancha, which begins with these familiar lyrics:

To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go …

“It’s the perfect piece for survivorship,” Lang says. “As I was listening to Johannes sing it during rehearsal, I thought, ‘That’s it; there he is.’ After 11 years, we have come full circle.”

Overall, the experience has added a new dimension to Schwaiger’s life. “Before I was so hooked on the stage. Now, I want my singing talent to bring people together and create harmony,” he says.