Brenda’s journey with cancer began long before she realized the path she was on.
For over five years, her dentist and doctor monitored a persistent red, tender spot on her tongue. Despite undergoing three biopsies, all benign, she was told it could be oral lichen planus. Unbeknownst to Brenda, those biopsies had not been examined by an oral pathologist. Trusting her doctor’s expertise, she never thought to ask where or by whom they were being analyzed—first of many missteps.
In January 2012, after completing a half marathon with her husband, Maurice, a neighbor who was a dermatologist urged Brenda to see an otolaryngologist at a cancer center. The doctor’s assistant, after taking a glance at Brenda’s condition, left the room in tears—an ominous sign of what was to come. The otolaryngologist quickly confirmed the severity and asked if she could undergo surgery in just four days.
A month later, Brenda was diagnosed with stage IV tongue cancer. Treatment required a hemiglossectomy, a neck dissection to remove 23 lymph nodes, a flap from her left arm to reconstruct part of her tongue, and a skin graft from her left thigh.
After recovering from surgery in March 2012, she began six weeks of daily radiation and weekly chemotherapy. In hindsight, Brenda felt the surgery was the easier part. Radiation caused severe burns on her face, mouth, and neck, making eating nearly impossible by the third week.
At one point, I shared with Maurice that she wanted to stop treatment. He gently reminded that if she quit, he would have to explain to their two adult daughters that she chose to give up.
Knowing that would be unfair, she found the strength to push through.
Overcoming Dental Challenges
Like many head and neck cancer survivors, Brenda has faced significant dental challenges due to the side effects of treatment.
In 2016, Brenda’s upper molar on the radiated side became infected. Despite her concerns, her dentist determined that extraction was necessary. Unfortunately, the procedure created an opening to her sinus, leading to further infection. This required surgical intervention by a specialist Otolaryngologist in Miami Florida. At the time, Brenda was living in Naples, Florida.
Her insurance denied coverage for the procedure, and due to its urgency, she had no opportunity to appeal. Fortunately, the surgery was successful.
By 2020, it became evident that all of Brenda’s upper teeth were deteriorating due to radiation treatment. Losing them entirely would have resulted in irreversible jaw necrosis. Determined to find a solution, Brenda researched and found an Otolaryngologist—at the time one of only seven in the U.S. specializing in zygomatic implants for severely damaged jawbones and tissue. The specialist recommended 30 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy before any extractions. While her insurance approved the HBO therapy, they denied coverage for the implants, labeling them cosmetic & experimental.
Initially, only the teeth on the treated side were extracted, and implant posts were placed in preparation for a future prosthesis. While she was healing, the COVID-19 pandemic began, allowing Brenda to wear masks in public to conceal the asymmetry in her mouth caused by the extractions.
Throughout 2021, Brenda focused on recovery while also supporting her husband, Maurice, during his short battle with anaplastic thyroid cancer. In June 2021, Maurice and Brenda traveled to MD Anderson in Houston for his treatments, but sadly, he passed away in February 2022.
In early 2022, doctors determined that her remaining upper teeth also needed to be extracted and replaced with full upper implants. The procedure was successfully completed in the spring, with standard implant posts on one side and zygomatic implant posts on the other.
With the prosthesis in place, Brenda now has a full set of beautiful upper teeth—hopefully helping to slow further jawbone loss and hoping there will soon be a solution for the lower teeth.
Facing Rare Cancers Together
Brenda and her husband, Maurice, both faced extremely rare cancer diagnoses. Their lifestyle, health, age and demographic profile did not match the profile with which doctors were familiar and delayed diagnosis. Brenda and Maurice shared 2 daughters, now married adults and 50 wonderful years of marriage.
Ready To Educate Others
Now, many years later, Brenda shares her story to educate others about the importance of early detection, lifestyle modifications, overall awareness of head and neck cancer and to assist the medical community and insurance providers of the need for ongoing long-term support for the impact to patient health and outcomes.
