Angela Read, a 54-year-old resident of Phoenix, Arizona, is adjusting to life after a diagnosis of olfactory neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer that affects the nasal cavity. Diagnosed in December 2020, Read initially mistook her symptoms for a common sinus infection or even COVID-19. Her journey from confusion to clarity has been marked by resilience and a commitment to embrace her new reality.
In 2020, Read experienced persistent congestion on one side of her nose, a condition she believed was manageable based on her history with sinus infections. Despite self-treatment efforts, her symptoms worsened. She lost her ability to taste mouthwash and grew increasingly concerned. It was not until her mother suggested a possible nasal polyp that Read sought medical advice in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Upon visiting a local physician, she underwent an examination that revealed a concerning mass in her nasal cavity. The doctor performed a biopsy, and Read anxiously awaited the results. After several attempts to reach the office, she finally received the life-altering news between Christmas and New Year’s.
“I learned my tumor was malignant,” Read recounted. “You just don’t really ever expect that you are going to be the person that’s going to get that news.” The diagnosis of olfactory neuroblastoma, which affects only 3% of nasal cavity tumor cases according to the National Cancer Institute, left her feeling panicked and unsure of next steps.
Faced with the daunting task of finding a treatment plan, Read sought multiple opinions. She discovered that her cancer is exceptionally rare, affecting roughly 1 in 2.5 million people annually. Fortunately, her tumor had not spread beyond its original site, which she considers a stroke of luck.
One of her initial consultations was with a renowned brain institution, but they could not see her for months. In contrast, the team at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Maryland had been researching her condition and was eager to meet with her promptly. “I knew the Hopkins team were my people,” Read said, reflecting on her decision to travel for treatment.
Read underwent two extensive surgeries in early February 2021. The first operation lasted approximately 16 hours, focusing on the lower portion of the tumor. In the following week, a second surgery targeted the dura mater, the outermost layer surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Pathologists conducted regular biopsies during the surgeries to ensure complete removal of the cancerous tissue.
Post-surgery, Read and her husband relocated to Maryland for five weeks of proton radiation therapy, receiving treatment twice daily. The experience was both physically and emotionally taxing, but it marked a critical step in her recovery.
Now cancer-free and under ongoing medical surveillance, Read continues to travel back to Johns Hopkins for follow-up scans and checkups. Despite the challenges, including changes to her sense of smell and the need for future surgeries to address lingering effects of radiation, she remains optimistic. “It’s a bit of a homecoming every time we come back,” she shared.
Her journey has not only changed her health but also her perspective on life. Read has learned to appreciate moments that remind her of her father, such as cherry blossoms during her treatments. “It felt like a bit of a wink that he was right there with me,” she reflected.
Angela Read’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the unexpected challenges that can arise in life. While she mourns the loss of familiar sensory experiences like the smell of freshly cut grass, she embraces her new normal with grace and gratitude.
