A local father is fighting for time as he looks to ring the bell one last time on cancer.
Wayne Schlicht of Cottage Grove is fighting cancer for the third time in five years, seeking community support as he undergoes a promising treatment not covered by insurance.
Wayne shared more on his five year cancer journey and the background to the present.
“In August 2020, I was diagnosed with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma,” he said. “The cancer had taken hold at the base of my tongue and spread to the lymph nodes in my neck. Hearing that word — “cancer” — is something you never forget. It doesn’t just hit you physically; it shakes your entire world. I was scared, but I didn’t let fear stop me.
“I went through 35 radiation treatments and seven chemotherapy infusions. It was brutal. My body felt like it was on fire from the inside out, but after months of pushing through, the scans showed no sign of cancer. I thought — hoped — maybe that chapter was behind me.”
Things looked OK until the cancer returned in 2024.
“But in March of 2024, the cancer returned,” Schlicht said. “Same place. My left neck lymph nodes lit up again. This time, I had to undergo a five-hour radical neck dissection — three surgeons worked to remove everything they could. It was invasive, intense, and terrifying. After that, I faced another 35 radiation treatments and 13 chemo infusions. I gave it everything I had.
Again, the scans went quiet. No sign of cancer. I took a breath. I was grateful.”
Things looked OK again, until this summer.
“And then came June 3, 2025 — a date that was supposed to be beautiful,” he said. “It was my 25th wedding anniversary with my wife, Sarah. But instead of just celebrating that milestone, I was told the cancer was back again. Only this time… it had become septic — spreading into my bloodstream — and spots were found on my lungs. It was a gut punch I didn’t see coming. The timing felt cruel, but also strangely symbolic. Sarah and I have weathered a lot in our 25 years, and we’re weathering this too. Together.”
Wayne shared more on the family fighting the battle together.
“I married my wife Sarah on June 3, 2000,” he said. “We built a life rooted in love and perseverance, raising two boys born in 2000 and 2002. Our younger son suffered a brain injury during birth, and that moment forever changed our path. He lives with seizures, developmental delays, and autism. Parenting is never simple, but with a child who has special needs, everything gets more complex — more demanding. Sarah and I had to adapt, to adjust, to stretch ourselves every day. It was overwhelming at times, but we did it together.
“Then came another challenge. Sarah served as a medic in the Air Force, and she was deployed to Iraq. While she was overseas, I had to hold things down at home — caring for our sons with the help of family. I wanted Sarah to focus on one thing: coming home safe.
“She did — but war leaves its scars. Her base was near a burn pit, and since returning, she’s struggled with the aftermath. Chronic nosebleeds, scarring, and ongoing health issues are part of her daily life now. But she never complains.
“Between 2020 and 2025, while I fought my own battle with cancer, Sarah and our oldest son became my rock. They got me to treatments, made sure I ate, helped me with medications, cleaned the house, and watched over our youngest son — all while holding their own pain. In December 2020, I spent Christmas in the hospital. And yet, my family kept going. Quiet heroes, every one of them.
“We’ve faced disability, war, and cancer — but we’ve faced it together. That’s how we’ve made it through: with love, grit, and a family that refuses to give up.”
Fighting together, Wayne and his family face a new obstacle: insurance doesn’t cover a promising cancer treatment.
“Now, with the cancer back for a third time — and this time in my lungs — I knew I had to take a different approach,” he said. “Standard treatments had pushed the cancer back before, but it kept coming. This time, I’m combining Keytruda immunotherapy with something that’s showing real promise: High Dose IV Vitamin C (HDIVC).”
The treatment, not covered by insurance, fights cancer by creating hydrogen peroxide outside cancer cells.
“HDIVC isn’t your average vitamin supplement. It’s delivered directly into my bloodstream at high, therapeutic levels,” Schlicht says. “At that concentration, it doesn’t just support my body — it creates hydrogen peroxide outside cells, which cancer cells struggle to survive. Healthy cells are left mostly unharmed. Unlike chemo, which wrecks everything in its path, HDIVC targets cancer and strengthens the rest of me.
“And I’ve been through chemo twice. It’s hell. It took my strength, my appetite, and left me with neuropathy in my feet. HDIVC feels different. It’s a strike with precision. Fewer side effects, more hope.
“Keytruda helps my immune system recognize the cancer and fight it head-on. HDIVC makes the cancer more vulnerable to that attack. Together, they give me my best shot at survival.
“I’ve also changed my life in every way possible. I’m on a strict carnivore diet — no sugar, no carbs — because cancer feeds on glucose, and I’m starving it out. I take zinc, magnesium, and vitamin D in body weight-adjusted doses. These aren’t just supplements — they’re tools I’m using to build a body that’s hostile to cancer and strong enough to keep going.
This third battle is the hardest yet. But I’m not backing down. Not now. Not when I’ve made it this far.”
Wayne closed out by reflecting on cancer’s many effects and the fight against it.
“Cancer doesn’t just attack your body — it drains your bank account, your energy, and your sense of security. The scans, surgeries, medications, and treatments add up fast. Our insurance has a $10,000 deductible every year, plus copays and coinsurance. It’s never enough. Over the years, we’ve depleted our savings, maxed out our credit cards, and even had to finance bills through the hospital. Cancer doesn’t care about your wallet — but the system sure does.
“After my second round of treatments in 2024, I wasn’t just left tired — I was left damaged. My neck muscles developed fibrosis. They’re like rocks now, stiff and unrelenting. The nerve pain and muscle spasms were constant, almost unbearable. My doctor prescribed oxycodone and gabapentin, which dulled the pain but turned me into a ghost — sleepy, withdrawn, not myself.
“He recommended Botox injections to ease the spasms. Not for wrinkles, but to restore some comfort and function. But the insurance company denied it. They called it ‘experimental.’ Even HealthPartners was shocked at the denial. We appealed. We lost.
“In 2025, when we learned my cancer had returned — and spread to my bloodstream and lungs — we knew we had to try something new. That’s when we found hope in High Dose IV Vitamin C (HDIVC). After extensive research, we discovered it could support my treatment alongside Keytruda immunotherapy. The infusion center recommended 16 weeks of HDIVC, two to three times per week. Each treatment costs nearly $300, depending on frequency and dose, totaling $10,000 to $15,000 out of pocket.” Study findings on HDIVC combined with Keytruda included enhanced immune response, reduced tumor growth, and minimal side effects as compared with chemo.
“After years of mounting medical debt, we finally realized… we couldn’t do it alone anymore,” Schlicht said. “That’s when we created a GoFundMe. So far, we’ve raised $4,400, and we are deeply grateful to every person who’s donated. Every dollar isn’t just financial help — it’s hope.”
Readers who are able and willing to donate can find Wayne’s Go Fund Me by going to https://www.gofundme.com and searching for “Support Wayne’s Battle with Cancer & Chronic Pain,” or by going directly to https://gofund.me/298adf50