Eva’s cancer journey has spanned nearly three decades and has been filled with challenges, unexpected turns, resilience, and hope.
Her journey began in 1999, following a major fundraiser she organized for the Ronald McDonald House in Springfield, Massachusetts. Shortly afterward, Eva discovered two small lumps on the left side of her neck. Her primary care physician initially believed they were swollen glands, but two close friends—one a dentist and the other a maxillofacial oral surgeon—were not convinced. They urged her to see her ENT immediately.
Their concerns proved correct. Eva was diagnosed with Stage IV squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, mouth, and neck. A PET scan showed that the cancer was isolated to those areas and had essentially stopped at the collarbone.
At the time, Eva admits she was somewhat naïve about cancer. She remembers thinking, I have two children under five years old and a husband who can’t boil water…I have to be fine. Her ENT repeatedly reminded her of the seriousness of her diagnosis, but Eva maintained a positive attitude and held tightly to hope.
In July 1999, Eva underwent a semi-radical neck dissection and partial glossectomy. She also had a radial forearm flap from her left arm to reconstruct the floor of her mouth and the left side of her tongue. After spending two weeks in the hospital, she was thrilled when she was able to speak again. One of her first goals was to call 411 and ask the automated operator for a phone number. A few months later, she accomplished that goal.
In September 1999, Eva began chemoradiation, which at the time was a relatively new approach for head and neck cancer. The chemotherapy was intended to help with the long-term effects of radiation, but for Eva, it accelerated them. She became extremely ill, experiencing significant pain and difficulty eating and drinking. After 17 rounds of radiation, she felt she could not continue.
Eva and her medical team agreed that she should take a break. Because she had lost so much weight, she needed a feeding tube, and her insurance required her to be hospitalized for the procedure. While in the hospital, Eva regained some strength and ultimately agreed to undergo 10 additional rounds of radiation. She completed 27 rounds in total, short of the original goal of 40.
Eva knew she could not continue. Although she understood the risks of recurrence, she made peace with her decision. She needed her body and her life back. Most importantly, her children needed their mother, and she needed to be their mother.
For the next 23½ years, Eva remained cancer-free. She underwent regular biopsies, scopes, scans, and follow-up visits—initially every month, then every three months, and eventually every six months. She credits her medical team, her faith, her positive outlook, and her determination for helping her through those years.
Then, in 2023, just as her longtime ENT, Dr. Barry Jacobs, was preparing to retire, a suspicious spot was discovered. A biopsy confirmed that the cancer had returned, this time on the right side of her tongue.
Eva was devastated and frightened and was unsure what to do next. After conversations with Dr. Jacobs and his colleague, Dr. Jerry Schribstein, who had been involved in her care over the years, Eva decided that Boston would be the next step. They agreed.
She was fortunate to be referred to Dr. Heather Edwards at Boston Medical Center (BMC), where she was seen quickly and underwent additional scans. In February 2023, she had two surgeries to remove the cancer and reconstruct the affected area of her tongue.
Things went well until mid-2024, when another suspicious spot appeared. A biopsy once again confirmed cancer. This was Eva’s third experience with the disease, and she was terrified that she might lose the remainder of her tongue.
As a theater director who works with both adults and children, Eva feared that losing her ability to speak could mean the end of her career. Dr. Edwards promised to preserve as much of Eva’s natural tongue as possible—and she did.
Although Eva now has a speech impediment, she has worked hard to regain her ability to communicate. By speaking slowly and supporting her breath with her diaphragm, she can be understood quite well. She credits her speech and language team for helping her along the way.
She follows the recommendations of her medical team, sees the specialists they refer her to, and takes the medications they recommend. She approaches her care as a partnership: We talk about all of it, and what fits me stays and what doesn’t goes.
Through every chapter of her cancer journey, Eva has remained hopeful, determined, and grateful.
Today, she is happy to report that she has had no evidence of cancer since 2024—the same summer her son was married.
I am so grateful I saw that and so many other wonderful moments in the last 27 years.
Eva’s story is one of perseverance, faith, family, and an unwavering commitment to living fully—no matter what cancer has asked of her.
