During treatment for oral cancer, it’s protocol to get a feeding tube. But, it wasn’t always. I didn’t have a feeding tube. I forced myself to eat, a slow, gruelingly painful process. Every 20 minutes, I’d try to ingest one teaspoon of Cream of Wheat, scrambled eggs, whipped sweet potato, pureed spinach….It’s not easy to eat when you have a …
1
Our Red Balloons
When I wrote my first bookmark about organizing support networks, my idea was to develop an organization called The Red Balloon Group. It was named for the scar on my arm. Soon, I learned that everyone who had reconstruction of the tongue from oral cancer had a similar scar. Apparently, the forearm skin is most similar to the tongue tissue. …
1
Young Mom Oral Cancer Fundraiser
I’m often asked ‘How do you meet all these oral cancer survivors?’ Somtimes it’s through my website. Often, it’s because I’m not afraid to tell people what I spend my time doing: Raising awareness about Oral Cancer. Last fall, it happens I was meeting my mother in northern NJ for a birthday facial at a salon. While I was waiting …
Inspiring Vo-Tech with No-Tech…simply by story
Vo-Techs have a reputation for being rife with students who are academically challenged, and don’t plan on going to college….but, it’s just the opposite! At Middle Bucks Institute of Technology, where I lectured yesterday, future engineers, architects, cosmetologists, dental hygienists, mechanics, electricians, media specialists…. were moved, inspired, and captivated by my personal story surviving oral cancer. I remarked, “I am …
Brush BEFORE meals!
“Brush after meals.” That’s the message we know. Is this idea based on science or tradition? Research shows that if the meal consists of any high acid foods or beverages, brushing right after eating can be detrimental. The acids in orange juice or soda will actually soften enamel and dentin enough to make them susceptible to abrasion when brushed with …