Help Wendy Tlanda Beat Cancer and See Me Graduate

My name is Gabrielle Rogers and I am a college senior at Eastern Illinois University. In May of 2024, I will receive a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education; a degree I will use to pursue my childhood dream of becoming a kindergarten teacher. This is an accomplishment that I would like my mom to bear witness to.

Wendy Tlanda is my “MOM.”

At the age of 3, I went to live with my Aunt Wendy (Mom). She took me in and started raising me as her own, at the same time that she was about to get married and pregnant with my brother (cousin) Matthew. Overnight, she went from someone 100% career-focused to a wife and a mother of two.

Although she worked a lot throughout my childhood, she did it all to give our family the best life and opportunities possible. I would have never had the opportunity or support to receive such a degree without her support and sacrifice. We have survived things together that no one should ever have to experience but no matter what happened my mom made sure her children were always her number one priority. She pushed me to try my hardest, taught me to fight for whatever I believe in, and always reminded me that I can do anything that I set my mind to.

When I was old enough to ask challenging questions about my real mom, her words always ring through my head: “A mom is who raised you, a mother is who created you.” I may not have the same DNA, but my mom has spent the last 21 years making sacrifice after sacrifice to ensure that my brother and I received the best life possible, and for that, I am eternally grateful. This is why it feels me with such despair when I have to think about her story:

February 2022 was just like any other month, at least for everyone else. For my mom, it was the start of a long journey. That month, my mom had a constant sore throat that would not go away, no matter how many different remedies she tried. She had issues talking, chewing, and swallowing. She spent the next several months going to different doctors and specialists; begging someone, anyone, to listen and help her figure out what was causing the constant throat pain. Finally, after relentlessly searching for so long and fighting so hard, she found a Dr at Loyola University Hospital who was able to give her real answers.

On June 23, 2023, my mom received a diagnosis that would change her life forever… It is with a heavy heart that I share: she was diagnosed with “throat cancer” immediately at her first visit with the Dr at Loyola. The Dr performed a Lymphatic Endoscopy in his office, at which time he was able to visibly identify the presence of cancer in her throat. At this time, the Dr thought that the cancer was caught very early and likely to only be stage one.

A surgical biopsy was expeditiously ordered by her Dr in addition to several CT scans, swallowing tests, x-rays, etc.

On June 29, 2023, my mom underwent a biopsy procedure of her mouth, throat, and surrounding/connecting areas of her body. During the biopsy, the Dr identified two tumors on her vocal cords, which were removed for further testing, in addition to collecting cells throughout her neck and throat. All of this data was then analyzed and tested for cancerous cells. The unexpected tumor removal during the biopsy procedure created a much longer, and more importantly, painful recovery process for my mom. Seeing and hearing your mom cry in pain for days on end without having a single thing a daughter can do to help her, is something I do not wish upon my worst enemies.

It was only four days later when the le-altering results from the biopsy were complete. On July 3rd, 2023 when the phone rang, the news was anything but great. Despite the doctor’s previous warning that he could already visually identify cancer that looked to be at an early stage, nothing in the world could prepare our family for the full results of the biopsy.

The biopsy results were as follows:

A team of ENTs, Surgeons, Oncologists, Speech pathologists, and Dentists at Loyola were assigned to my mom’s medical case upon the results of the biopsy. The team reviewed all tests, scans, pathology reports, swallow tests, studies, etc to create the cancer treatment options best suited for my mom's medical case.

The medical team, unfortunately, determined that with the location of my mom’s cancer within the esophagus/epiglottis, the risks associated with surgical removal of the cancer were not an option without a detrimental impact on her life, and the likelihood of cancer returning.

The treatment option best suited to eliminate the cancer was determined to be radiation therapy. Radiation treatments will be six times a week, for six weeks Monday thru Friday, twice on Mondays. Radiation does not create a painful experience for most people except for radiation to the throat, more specifically the epiglottis portion of the throat. Radiation to the throat is an extremely painful process to complete. Throat swelling, and inability to swallow, in addition to airway swelling resulting in the inability to breathe, are at high risk with this treatment.

My mom has been given an 85% chance of success rate using radiation treatment. The doctors have been very honest stating, “This will be the hardest and most painful thing she will have ever experienced in her life.” However, he did add that if she can take all of the pain and misery during these coming months, then a year from now she could be cancer free and no one will ever be able to tell by looking at her that she previously had cancer or underwent any type of radiation therapy.

The Oncologist also shared two high-risk concerns/side effects that are possibilities of the radiation treatment specific to my mom:

The Dental Oncologist visit determined that all prior molars with root canals and crowns would need to be removed. This involved the total removal of 5 teeth. The ability to replace these 5 teeth with implants later down the road will be determined by the impact the radiation treatment has on her jaw.

After several visits and undergoing multiple procedures to prepare her for treatment, she was finally successfully approved to begin radiation therapy.

The news of the diagnosis, prognosis, and risks of treatment caused a ripple of shock throughout our family and closest loved ones. The rollercoaster of emotions brought upon myself and our entire family in the wake of this heartbreaking news has been devastating.

While my mom continues to try and assure everyone that she has everything handled and under control, I can feel and see the emotional and financial impact it is already bringing upon our family. The weight of this burden has now been intensified by the presence of medical bills that have continued to pile up. She not only owes the doctors and hospitals thousands of dollars for medical expenses, but she has constantly had to produce hundreds of dollars on a whim to cover copays and transportation costs; Most of which she has had to obtain personal loans to cover, all of which require regular monthly payments. Not to mention all the other new expenses being incurred due to transportation, daily medications, etc.

As a family, we are deeply grateful for my mom’s unwavering spirit and the miraculous healing abilities of today’s technology. Nevertheless, the road ahead remains long and arduous as we strive for the complete elimination of cancer in her body. A goal that will take time and money to reach.

I truly feel helpless in my ability to help my mom and my family. All my mom wants me to focus on is school, which is hard when you know and see your family hurting the way that they are.

If you know and love my mom, you know she would do anything to help anyone in need. If you can offer support of any type, I would sincerely appreciate any donations or encouraging words of wisdom to assist with the mounting medical expenses and needed emotional support that continues to escalate.

Furthermore, I kindly ask that you share our story with your family and friends, and send my mom an abundance of positive thoughts and blessings. Your generosity and collective support mean the world to me and our family as we navigate this challenging journey together.

I will continue to provide updates throughout her fight.

Thank you and best regards,

Gabrielle Rogers (Daughter)