Welcome to Surviving Oral Cancer.
My name is Dana and my better half is Mike. Our doggo is name Fiona (FiFi) This website was created in the middle of the hardest battle of my life.
I was diagnosed with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the mandible after years of living with Oral Lichen Planus, a painful chronic inflammatory condition affecting the mouth. What began as ongoing oral health struggles eventually became something far more serious: oral cancer that had spread deep into my jawbone.
Since my diagnosis, my life has changed completely.
I underwent major surgery that removed part of my jaw, several lymph nodes, and multiple high-risk cancerous areas. Reconstruction required skin grafts from my forearm, and recovery has been physically, emotionally, and financially overwhelming. Simple things most people never think twice about, eating, speaking, sleeping comfortably, smiling, and getting through a day without pain, suddenly became mountains to climb.
And the journey is not over.
Radiation treatment, ongoing recovery, medical appointments, nutrition challenges, emotional exhaustion, and the uncertainty that comes with cancer continue to shape daily life. Behind every treatment plan is a real person trying to survive while holding onto hope, identity, and some sense of normal life.
I created Surviving Oral Cancer for two reasons:
First, to help others facing oral cancer feel less alone.
Second, to share the reality of this journey openly and honestly while building a community of support around it.
Too many people facing oral cancer suffer in silence. The physical changes, financial pressure, mental strain, and isolation can be devastating. Through this website, I want to provide real experiences, practical resources, encouragement, and a place where patients and caregivers can find understanding from someone walking this road firsthand.
If my story resonates with you, there are several ways you can help support this mission and my ongoing recovery:
- Share this website with others affected by oral cancer
- Help spread awareness about oral cancer symptoms and early detection
- Offer encouragement through messages or community support
- Support ongoing medical and recovery expenses through donations if you are able
Every share, kind word, prayer, and contribution genuinely matters. Cancer treatment impacts far more than health alone. It affects work, finances, mental health, family, and every part of everyday life. Community support helps carry some of that weight when it becomes too heavy to hold alone.
My hope is that this website becomes more than a personal story.
I hope it becomes a lifeline for someone scared after a diagnosis at 2 a.m.
A guide for families trying to understand what comes next.
A voice for people who feel invisible during treatment.
And proof that even after life changes forever, hope can still exist in the middle of uncertainty.
Thank you for being here and for being part of this journey with me. 🕯️
If you would like to support my journey
If you would like to help support my ongoing cancer recovery and the work behind this website, your support is deeply appreciated.
Every donation helps with:
- Medical and treatment-related expenses
- Recovery and nutritional support
- Website costs and educational resources
- Sharing awareness and support for oral cancer patients
“Cancer can make the world feel very small. Community makes it feel survivable again.”