Dear Eva, My name is Lisa and I work for Dave, a friend of your husband’s. I was telling Dave that my father was recently diagnosed with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and he told me to contact you. Dad wasn’t feeling well just after Christmas and thought his left neck glands were swollen. His physician ordered a CT and …
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When will healthcare providers do a better job recognizing the signs of oral cancer???
Dear Eva, I just had this crazy idea to contact you for advice/help. I am a 5-year survivor of squamous-cell cancer, My treatment included a tonsillectomy and a maximum dose of radiation with chemo. Lately, from the moment I wake up, I have a super sweet/sour taste in my mouth and it continues all day. Food tastes like the taste …
Is Dental Work that is Necessary after Treatment for Oral Cancer ‘Medical’ or ‘Cosmetic’??
It’s been an ongoing battle to get insurance to cover dental work I have needed and continue to need as a direct result of treatment for oral cancer. Radiation kills saliva production and minimizes vascularity to the oral cavity. That means the mouth is at a high risk for gum disease, cavities, and ultimately extractions. Is replacing teeth so a …
A Daughter’s Tribute to Her Mother
My mom Pat, a non-smoker, was 58 years old when she was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. A few months before my wedding, she visited a dentist about her ill fitting dentures and pain in the area. She also complained that she had ear pain, headaches and would often notice blood on her pillowcase in the morning. When she was …
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Radiation Mask Art
Oral cancer patients going through radiation wear a mask. It’s not one I ever want to wear again. It fit so tightly that my eyes were pressed shut and my skin popped out from the mesh holes leaving an impression for 30 minutes after treatment. The mask was marked with x’s so the radiation beams were lined up precisely. There …