Melissa Vernon thought she had a swollen lymph node when she first noticed a lump on the back of her neck in 2020.
She later found out the rapidly growing lump was a salivary gland cancer tumor.
Salivary gland cancer, also known as carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma, typically affects men over 65 years old with a history of tobacco use. Vernon said because she does not fit into any of those demographics, doctors did not think it was cancer at first.
“They kept saying, ‘There’s no way it’s salivary gland cancer,’ because my doctor had never seen it in a woman my age. I was 42 at the time when I got diagnosed. And so yeah, they were very shocked,” Vernon said in an interview with BYU-Idaho.
Doctors removed the lump in a surgery that threatened a facial nerve, meaning there was a risk Vernon would lose the ability to smile. Vernon said she had an excellent doctor, however, and did not endure nerve damage due to the surgery.
Doctors then sent the lump to Harvard Medical School for testing, where the school confirmed it was a salivary gland cancer tumor and officially diagnosed Vernon with the cancer.
Vernon immediately started receiving radiation treatments. She said she went through 30 rounds of radiation over six weeks.
Vernon was alone during these treatments, due to COVID-19 restrictions, which did not allow for family or other visitors to accompany her on these appointments.
She said she is grateful, though, for the moral support from doctors, nurses and hospital staff who helped her overcome and recover from salivary gland cancer.
She is now working on a book to share her unique experience and to spread awareness for head and neck cancers. She said the writing process has been emotional, but “not in a bad way.”
“Some of the events are sad and upsetting, but I think it’s also been very healing and helpful as well. In the end, we made it through and others can make it through and support their loved ones who are going through situations like this. And so, in that way, I’ve enjoyed reliving all the good that came from it and the love and support that I felt,” Vernon said.
She is sharing ways people can best support those they know who have cancer.
Some of these ways include giving gas station gift cards to combat appointment travel expenses and learning about the specific type of cancer the person has.
Vernon also said it is important to ask those with cancer about their boundaries regarding contact with people and to ask them what they truly need help with.
Vernon expressed gratitude to all those who showed support and love to her during her fight with cancer, with everything from encouragement to casseroles left on her front porch.
Vernon said she and her family have grown stronger because of the experience. In fact, she considers her experience with cancer to be one of her greatest blessings.
The mother of three said, “I definitely look at time differently in the way that I spend it with my children and the things that have become important to me, and I think my family has as well. There were so many great lessons and blessings that came from cancer and if I had to do it all over again, I would not change it whatsoever, because it really was one of the greatest blessings of my life.”