Lori’s Story: Living Fully After Oral Cancer

The 30 Stories Podcast · Apr 8, 2026 · 39m

Lori shares how her oral cancer journey began with a sore on her tongue that would not go away. Although one early evaluation minimized the issue, her dentist pushed her to seek further care, which led to a diagnosis on the spectrum between severe dysplasia and microinvasive cancer. From the start, Lori emphasizes the importance of listening to your instincts, getting multiple opinions, and choosing a surgeon who is not only highly skilled but also someone you trust and can communicate with over time.

She describes a long treatment path that stretched over many years. Her surgeon took a…