A Poem from Place of Care

After a visit to Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM), Barbara Solomon went home overwhelmed with emotion. She sat down and began to write a poem, an ode to the providers who had treated her.

“Part of it was appreciation, but it was also a way for me to get my fears out of my system,” she said. “Because I am fearful, writing gives me an escape, and when something touches my heart. I write from my heart, and everything just flows.”

Two years ago, Solomon was diagnosed with proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL), one of the most complex and least understood potentially malignant disorders of the oral cavity. There is currently no cure.

“I've done everything right,” she said. “I'm not a drinker. I never smoked, but I got it, and I guess this is what happens in life.”

Solomon has worked as a dental manager for 20 years, and her son and brother are dentists, yet no one around her could help with such a rare condition. She turned to RSDM's Newark Faculty Practice and began seeing Associate Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Rabie Shanti, an expert in oral cancer. Shanti also co-authored a widely cited article, showing that PVL has the highest rate of transformation into an oral cancer (49.5%) with a 2.7 per year increase in transformation.

“Due to the high-risk nature of this entity and the absence of predictable and durable interventions, the diagnosis can be anxiety-inducing for patients,” said Shanti. “It is humbling to see the creativity and resilience of Ms. Solomon in responding to this diagnosis. Her positive and proactive attitude has really been so inspiring for me to witness and benefit from.”

Solomon's creativity extends to how she talks about her condition as well. She has renamed PVL the "precarious vindictive lesion," and she hopes that, with Shanti's help, she can turn it into a "peaceful virtuous lesion."

“What I like about Dr. Shanti is that he listens when I talk. He's very professional and extremely attentive. He's got a very calming way,” she said. “The staff goes above and beyond. They're all just wonderful.”

Because PVL can progress to high-risk lesions or cancer, Solomon must be evaluated every two to three months. Regular biopsies and excisions keep the condition under close watch and allow early diagnosis. So far, she has undergone biopsies, excisions, and laser treatment. In the process, she has lost two teeth and hopes that is the extent of it.

“It's very frightening to have to go through the oral surgery,” she said. “When you go to a place that makes you feel like you're cared about, it also makes you more comfortable. I felt so good that I wanted to write about it.”

Solomon’s poem inspired by the children’s book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Barbara, Barbara what do you see?
I see Rutgers Health looking at me.
I begin to walk down the hall,
At first, I see nothing at all.

And then
Barbara, Barbara what do you see?
I see office 7700 looking at me.

Open the door
Barbara, Barbara what do you see?
I see smiling faces looking at me.
Yolanda, Debbie, Lydia, Aydee, Donna, Amanda and Tania.*

Barbara, Barbara what do you see?
I see Dr. Shanti welcoming me.
Barbara, Barbara what does he do?
He examines my mouth with calm assurance
Explaining each step with patience and endurance.

Barbara, Barbara what do you hear?
I listen intently to hear his news
His words of encouragement ease my views.

Barbara, Barbara how do you feel?
I feel less stressed with peace of mind
In the hands of a surgeon who is so kind.

Now tell me,
Barbara, Barbara what do you see?
I see a future waiting for me.

* Expanded Duty Dental Assistant Yolanda Burbano, Program Administrator Deborah Aimutis, Clinical Services Representative Lydia Torres, Clinical Services Representative Aydee Guevara, Team Supervisor Donna Vargas, Expanded Duty Dental Assistant Amanda Muller, Surgical Representative Tania Gonzalez