Yes! My dentist saved my life. Had I not been seen by Dr. Michale Tillery and his team, I might be writing a different story. A simple cancer screening was done during a routine exam that detected my precancerous lesions. To aid my hygienist in inspecting my tongue, a VELscope was used. The procedure was completely painless and only took about two minutes.

It was eight months between the time my precancerous lesions were found by my dentist and the time I had surgery. The lesions were detected under my tongue in November 2019. I was then under the care of an oral surgeon, Dr. Mark Anderson. He helped manage my case for six months, but we lost some traction in my care due to the Covid-19 pandemic that hit in March of 2020. Because of Covid, Dr. Anderson was forced to close his office for several weeks and by the time I saw him again in May, the precancer had grown into a full cancer diagnosis. I had my life saving glossectomy on June 26, 2020.

A glossectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the tongue. It is performed in order to curtail malignant growth, such as oral cancer. Often only a portion of the tongue needs to be removed, in which case the procedure is called a partial removal or hemiglossectomy.

No. I’m not a doctor. But I have a team of incredible care providers listed in my Partners link. I know each of them would be more than happy to help any individual managing an oral health concern. Otherwise, you should not take anything I have written or shown on this website as advice on how to manage your own physical, mental or emotional health.

My faith, family and friends helped me through cancer. Researching my disease prior to treatment might have stolen my hope, except that I'm a child of God. When cancer interrupted my plans I learned to rest in His healing promises and partnered with a dream team of doctors who facilitated my successful recovery.

Yes, I was able to eat (chew food) just 13 days after my glossectomy. I was sent home from the hospital with a feeding tube in my nose. It was very manageable and was removed by a nurse just six days after surgery. During that same appointment, I was given the okay to start eating real food. I started with soup, protein shakes and other liquids. (I probably could have managed chewing but was being gentle with myself and my new tongue.) By the second week after surgery I started integrating soft foods like bread with peanut butter and thinly sliced deli meats. Eating normally again was a blessing. It was also a bit of a mind game for me. I’ll explain…

I welcomed my newly rebuilt tongue like a newborn baby. Though it was strong and functioning, it also seemed tender at first. I joke that an adult-sized fork seemed like a lethal weapon coming toward my mouth. Fortunately I found baby forks and spoons in the back of our utensil drawer from when our son was a toddler. I used a baby fork to eat for the first two-years following my procedure. Using the smaller utensils helped me advance to eating salads, cooked meats and other solid delicacies without the fear of jabbing my precious new tongue.

Yes. I was able to coordinate words within a week of my procedure. Sure, I sounded a little funny. But people could understand me. While I was still in the ICU, I discovered some workarounds for communicating by using text-to-talk apps on my phone.

Yes. I have always enjoyed strength training including rowing, TRX and sandbag workouts. I’m also an avid walker. I worried I wouldn’t be able to return to TRX or the sandbag because of the pressure those exercises require from the wrist and forearm - both of which were affected by my procedure. However, by following the postoperative protocols for healing and scar care, the flap of skin and artery that were taken from my arm (to rebuild my tongue) healed beautifully. I was back to doing the full range of strength workouts I enjoy within eight-months after surgery.

I have to give a huge shoutout to my dear friend Taylor Harris who continues to facilitate my ability to weight train. Taylor is a Certified Massage Therapist, Muscular and Scar Care, Soft Tissue and Mobility Specialist. Taylor massaged and softened the muscles and tissue under and around my scars starting at six-months post op. I continue to see him every couple of months for maintenance. You can learn more about Taylor on the Partners page.

Yes. Provided my schedule allows and the logistics work, I love speaking to groups about my remarkable healing journey. My messages can be catered for specific organizations and age groups.