Brad's Story - Oral Cancer Awareness

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month!
Please watch and share Brad's story to support our campaign to help bring awareness to end Oral Cancer.
Any questions please feel free to contact; Stephanie Lodding, RDH
Email: [e-mail]

[@paulproctor8266]

OH MY GOD! thank you for sharing your story. the issue of people telling you "it's nothing" hit home with me so hard. thank you for making me not feel so alone.

[@kathyf1964]

It was my dentist who recognized the sore on my tongue as cancer (he couldn’t tell me that he believed it was cancer since it wasn’t his area of expertise), but he IMMEDIATELY sent me to an oral surgeon who removed it, biopsied it and then sent me to an ENT who specialized in treating oral cancer. If it hurts and a doctor tells you it’s nothing…get a 2nd opinion!

[@ritahall2378]

Dental care should be available to everyone - why don’t primary care physicians check the mouth and tongue as part of yearly exams - Too many people don’t have dental insurance- This hygienist is an angel and this story is very inspiring I wish the best for him and will keep him close to my heart

[@trustissues8891]

So true❤

[@anglophils645]

Plenty of people still do not have health insurance, either. I'm a Republican, and in general, I believe in small government. But I believe that we should have Medicare for everyone, and it should include dental.

[@rayyanbasit2408]

​@@anglophils645llll))

[@donnakarenedwards2199]

I am going through the same thing right now. It's been 7 months .I have been waiting on and appointments and Doctors .one more week. So sorry for anyone going through this

[@carolynhamilton3316]

My grand daughter at 17 had half her tongue removed with stage 3 . That was 6 years ago. Her " expert" dropped the ball. She had negative hpv. Had the shots at 13. After trach, feeding tube, and lots of pain, she is getting her masters in social service. No thanks to dentist who ignored the growth on her tongue.

[@annettepurtle3757]

So sorry to hear that Carolyn, how is she doing today? I’m so glad she’s over come this horrible disease and to get her masters degree wow 🤩 that is amazing, best wishes for her and your family 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼😊

[@carolynhamilton3316]

She's fine. Married, living in Hawaii with a navy officer, high school sweetheart, and doing good. Got her masters degree in social work and traveling alot. I'm so proud of her .

[@annettepurtle3757]

@@carolynhamilton3316 Amen 🙏🏼 to her, that’s wonderful 🤩

[@Snowiesphotography]

I have a spot inside my mouth that I went to the dr because I was concerned...the dr was concerned too and sent me for a biopsy with an ear, nose and throat dr....after 2 months of waiting for the biopsy the dr told me it was nothing to worry about and refused to do the biopsy ☹️. He couldn’t tell me what was going on but wouldn’t do anything either....it’s been another 3 months and the spot is still there....I found a dentist in my town that has the lights to check for cancer....I’m gonna give them a call thanks to you guys! Sorry Brad for having to go through what you did....I hope one day you will be able to eat again ☺️

[@bradrohrssen8009]

My eating issues remain for the most part unchanged , but I am Learning to cope with it the best I can.. I'm grateful for every day above ground. Take care y'all

[@ErickGarcia-cj2uf]

How are you?

[@Ceerads]

My hygienist was using the cancer-detecting light, until it failed to detect someone’s cancer. She now does a cancer exam without that device. I trust her and the dentist. I see the hygienist three times a year, not because of any high-risk for oral cancer but because I get a lot of tartar.

[@annettepurtle3757]

Yes I agree with you, I know how it feels! I’m in the boat as you Brad, never smoked.did drink very little in my life. Not from HVP! I don’t understand how we can get this kind of cancer! As the same as Brad I was put off many times 😢by my dr. Emergency room,s dr. I had stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma of the my tounge. It was a nightmare! Went into remission for 10 years then came back in 2016 😔 again put off by my cancer dr. again stage 4 . This one did a lot of damage .changed me in many ways physically. So please do not be put off by your drs. If you feel something is not right with how your feeling demand it be checked completely. God bless all who has had this or will have it .🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙂

[@andywilliams6103]

Please can you share your doctors name?

[@dawnmelonio3896]

My dad was just diagnosed with stage 4 tongue cancer also. We are just about to begin chemo and radiation . I'm so scarred!! How is Brad doing today. I hope you are able to see this message, as I am beside myself and so worried.

[@bradrohrssen8009]

Hi dawn .. I'm still breathing .. first, I'm praying for you .. I have several questions and insights I be happy to share with you .. my email is [e-mail] .. please feel free to write .. each case is unique but I may at least sheed some light on what you ( he ) could expect ..

[@annettepurtle3757]

Dawn I’ll pray for your father 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼as I have been all through it before twice! God bless your father😀 💜❤️‍🩹💙 just keep his spirits up and be there for him, give him reassurance and hugs, pray together,that’s what got me through it. The love of the family Dawn ❤️🤗🤗

[@laniesider2586]

@@annettepurtle3757 God will answer our prayers, I believe in God. He never sleeps always listening to our prayers. God bless everyone who is dealing with Cancer.

[@rebornnursery7668]

I am having the same issue a small spot on the tongue 8 to 12 weeks tongue is swelling, and all been 2 dr 2 times, and my chart is keeping her updated . I've been 2 dentists 2 times and prompt meds ..i was told i had thrush and viral and then yesterday antibodics. Going back today spot isn't getting bigger, but it hurts like hell. I have been asking for a biopsy, but still nothing so pissed.. this is crazy and if u have a sore that won't go away, they should still be biopsy it

[@donnakarenedwards2199]

Hello, my name is Karen it is May 2023. In April of 2022, I went to my dentist because I had a sore under my tongue that was very painful. My dentist didn't know what it was, but he gave me a mouthwash to treat what he thought might be a canker sore. On that same visit, he took a biopsy on another area that was white in color. The biopsy can back as dysplasia. It took over two weeks for that information to get to me. I went back to see him. I was told that dysplasia could turn into cancer in the future. He then sent me to a dental oral surgeon. At that time, he told me he should remove it because it does turn to cancer. Ok, it took over one month to get that done. Two weeks after that I received a call from him telling me that he got the results back from lab that the dysplasia he removed was positive for cancer, but not to worry because it was very treatable because it was caught early so I should go to my primary doctor for further advice. That appointment took over two months, and another month or so. Finally, I had made it to an ENT in a very well-known cancer treatment hospital. By then the pain I was having was very bad. That surgeon took off some of my tongue and 32 lymph nodes because it had spread. That was in October 2022. I also had no insurance but was self pay. The oncologist would not see me for treatment for lack of insurance. I went back to the ENT. At that time I was given a clean bill of health and have a nice life. That was my follow-up visit. Luckily, I had an appointment with my dentist where he found another cancer. I was in panic mode. In the meantime I found another ENT cancer surgeon. She removed almost one half of my tongue and 22 lymph nodes on the other side of my neck. Right now, I am going on one month post-op. I have to have six weeks of radiation. I get very a up set when I think about how very simple it would have been if only I didn't have to wait all that time waiting on appointments because nobody took my conditions seriously. I am writing all this because I hope I can help someone else to stand up and demand that someone does. Thank you, and God bless you , Karen

[@laniesider2586]

How are you feeling now Karen? I hope your doing well? I am sorry for what you had to go through, I’m dealing with my own issues too. Please pray to God, his listening to all of us, anything is possible with God’s help. 8:21 Sending love and prayers to everyone that is dealing with Cancer.

[@user-mu8vc7hb2g]

Giving thanks to *Dr Bastin* is something I will always take personal because he totally changes my perspective for herbs ❤️

[@donnakarenedwards2199]

Oh, i forgot to say that the ENT in October didn't tell me that he left positive margins on my tongue. that's why cancer can back. I just found out last week

[@carolynhamilton3316]

Too many stories where so called " experts" drop the ball!😡😡

[@donnakarenedwards2199]

Yes, that is so true, and what can we do?

[@carmenpaez9467]

2019 how is Brad doing today

[@bradrohrssen8009]

I'm still breathing. Eating is still an issue but I'm doing my best to cope with it the best I can and staying grateful. Since this was filmed I continue to have complacations and have to have my throat stretched every few months to keep me swallowing. The side effects of the chemo have also caused pretty sever nuropothy, but I remain in faith .

[@dosanchoas]

@@bradrohrssen8009 thanks for your story, Brad! you're one strong dude!!

[@andywilliams6103]

@@bradrohrssen8009 can you please share your doctor who operated you?

[@laniesider2586]

May God bless everyone that are suffering from cancer.

[@Cwgrlup]

This is typical misdiagnosis and extremely worrisome.