Jennifer Alexander was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with stage one tongue cancer in 2009. After a tumor was removed, the disease returned in 2017 and 2019. In March 2020, she chose more extensive surgery: half of her tongue was removed and reconstructed with tissue from her left arm. The blue star tattooed on that arm ended up on her new tongue, too.
She then lost 60% of her sense of taste; for three months, she relied on protein shakes and couldn’t speak. She underwent speech therapy and practiced chewing. She said she couldn’t say her own name until 2022; she can now eat small portions, such as carrots and olives.
Jennifer uses the tattoo to educate people about tongue cancer; once, an agent thought it was a Listerine ring.
