Help Melissa Genetti Fight the Return of Squamous Cell Tongue Cancer

How It Began...

Three years ago, 1 month after the birth of their 3rd child, Melissa suffered devastating news, the annoying, painful spot on her tongue, that refused to go away, was tongue cancer. A rare cancer for someone who didn't have any risk factors. Treatment was a 10-hour aggressive surgery. A third of her tongue was removed and reconstructed using a graft and arteries from the underside of her wrist. The wrist graph was then repaired using a graph from her thigh. Suspicious lymph nodes were also removed on both sides of the neck. Melissa went through her surgery and recovery like a champ.

The Nightmare Returns...

Just like before it started with some irritation and pain. Melissa felt some odd rubbing on the right side of her tongue (the native portion) along her teeth back in June and to play it safe the PA on the doctor's team did a biopsy. It came back just fine.

After a fun family vacation, Melissa got a custom mouthguard made and everything seemed fine. There was a white growth on the native portion, and it was explained that it was similar to a callus — odd but assured nothing to worry about.

But the pain didn't go away, and the tissue of the area began to look different. Back to the doctor she went, and another biopsy revealed an invasive squamous cell carcinoma with perineural invasion. By definition, it's the type of cancer that can make its way into the nerves. In simpler terms, the doctor said the nerves are like a highway and the cancer (just like a car) can get on at one place and get off at another, and that's when he said this go-around will require more treatment — that treatment being radiation and, at this point, possibly chemo.

The Fight is On

After a biopsy, CT scan and PET scan, Melissa was scheduled for surgery on September 3rd, to remove the tongue cancer. The cancer is located on the right side of her tongue, the same side as before, adjacent to the reconstruction. The surgeon removed the remaining portion of her tongue on the right side and then attached the remaining tip of the tongue over to close the gap. This means a much shorter tongue for Melissa. Her new normal is learning to eat and talk with this new tongue.

Treatment Plan

For the next 6 weeks, her tongue be healing and then Melissa will begin radiation treatments. Radiation will be 5 days a week for 6 weeks. The radiation treatments while fighting the cancer, also has side effects. Melissa will likely experience a dry mouth, sores in her mouth/throat and her ability to eat. Additionally, Melissa is still waiting to hear from pathology if she will need to undergo chemo during the radiation.

Why We Are Asking for Help

The road ahead is a long and difficult one with medical bills, time away from work, and the living expenses associated with raising 3 young children, one of whom is special needs and requires daily therapies. Melissa and Dominic are facing all these challenges and trying very hard to keep life as normal as possible for their family.

We are humbly asking for your support to help ease the financial burden they are facing so their emotional and physical energy can be focused on getting Melissa back her life as a wife, mommy and special education teacher.

How You Can Help

If you're able to donate, any amount will make meaningful difference. If you are unable to donate, please share this campaign and keep Melissa and Dom and their children, Gianna, Daniel, and Rosemary in your prayers.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your generosity, love and support mean the world to Dom and Melissa, and they face this journey head-on.

With our deepest gratitude,

The Family of Dominic and Melissa Genetti