When Elsa Cordera found a tiny spot on her tongue in December 2022, she didn’t think much of it. Perhaps an inflamed taste bud, as her dentist suggested. But within weeks, the pain worsened, her health began to decline and by New Year’s, she could barely eat. Her husband, Joseph, grew concerned and pushed for answers. That search quickly turned into a whirlwind of referrals, scans and, finally, a diagnosis: stage 4 squamous cell carcinoma.
“I was scared. We were afraid of the unknown. Elsa said. “But I also knew I had to fight. I was hopeful and held onto my faith.”
The news came as a shock. The tumor had spread across the midline of her tongue and into her lymph nodes. Referred to a major cancer center in Houston, Elsa and Joseph found themselves caught in scheduling delays. Desperate for help, they turned to Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital, where everything changed for the better.
“Cynthia understood the urgency,” Joseph said, recalling his first call with oncology nurse navigator Cynthia Andrews, BSN, RN, OCN. “She got us in for a scan, a consult and a treatment plan within days.”
From that point forward, the couple was surrounded by a coordinated team of specialists who walked with them every step of the way.
Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center at The Woodlands provides advanced treatment for a wide range of cancers, including head and neck, breast, lung, prostate and hematologic cancers. Patients benefit from the latest in medical technology, as well as access to clinical trials and precision genomics that tailor treatment to each individual’s unique cancer profile.
Priya V. Ramshesh, MD, Medical Director of Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center at The Woodlands, explained that the hospital’s model centers on collaboration and personalization. Patients are evaluated by a multidisciplinary team that includes medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists, dietitians, speech-language pathologists, social workers and nurse navigators.
“Our experts consult formally and informally every day to build tailored plans that reflect the patient’s needs and goals,” Dr. Ramshesh said. “Cancer care is like a journey in a large car. You need multiple drivers, each with a critical role, to steer together.”
This collaborative approach was key to Elsa’s care. After a rapid series of scans and consultations, she began chemotherapy to shrink her tumor and prepare for surgery. In April 2023, she underwent a complex procedure to remove two-thirds of her tongue and 72 lymph nodes. The surgery was followed by radiation and additional chemotherapy. While her physical recovery was difficult, the team made sure she and Joseph never felt alone.
“They were always one step ahead,” Joseph said. “For every concern, we had someone there to guide us.”
At the center of that support was nurse navigator Cynthia Andrews, who coordinated Elsa’s care from diagnosis through recovery.
“Every patient’s experience is different,” Andrews said. “Our job is to remove as many burdens as we can so they can focus on healing.”
In addition to medical care, Houston Methodist offers services that support the emotional and psychological well-being of patients and their families; speech therapy, nutritional counseling, social work, and spiritual care are all part of the care model.
That philosophy extends into the hospital’s Health Education and Learning (HEAL) program.
The HEAL Center offers patients and caregivers a place to connect, recover and grow. Programming includes various therapies such as creative arts, nutrition workshops, fitness sessions and support groups. Each program is designed to promote whole-person healing.
“Cancer treatment goes beyond medical procedures,” Dr. Ramshesh said. “HEAL embodies our belief that wellness involves mind, body and spirit.”
After completing active treatment, Elsa began attending HEAL Center events, where she found comfort in connecting with other survivors.
“I still have speech challenges,” she said, “but I’m here. I’m alive. And I want to use my experience to help others.”
One of the most powerful connections made through the HEAL Center was between Elsa and fellow survivor Al Cantu.
In 2019, Al was diagnosed with stage 2 base-of-tongue and lymph node cancer. He underwent 33 rounds of radiation and three rounds of chemotherapy, relying on a feeding tube to maintain nutrition during treatment. His partner, Billie, became his caregiver, learning to manage medication, nutrition and emotional support.
“Houston Methodist guided us every step of the way,” Billie said. “They taught me how to care for Al at home. When things got hard, they never let us fall.”
Al vividly recalls a moment during his treatment when a nurse noticed he was struggling and offered to pray with him.
“That moment changed everything for me” he said. “It gave me the strength to finish.”
Now in remission, Al and Billie stay active in the HEAL Center. Billie teaches diamond art classes, and the couple supports patients as mentors.
When Cynthia Andrews learned about Elsa and Joseph’s diagnosis, she reached out to Al and Billie, knowing their experience could offer the guidance and reassurance the couple needed.
“We became like family,” Joseph said. “Talking to someone who had gone through it helped us stay grounded and hopeful.”
“Patients who’ve walked the path often make the best mentors,” Dr. Ramshesh said. “Their strength and resilience inspire not only other patients, but our care teams as well.”
Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center at The Woodlands is committed to staying at the forefront of cancer care. The hospital offers clinical trials, state-of-the-art imaging, and precision genomics to help patients access leading-edge treatment options.
“All of our scanners are advanced and regularly updated,” Dr. Ramshesh said. “We incorporate precision therapies to match patients with treatments that provide the best possible outcomes.”
Community outreach and early detection programs are another cornerstone of the hospital’s work. Screenings for lung cancer, a lung nodule tracking program, and community events help educate the public and promote timely intervention.
Today, Elsa and Al are in remission and looking toward the future. Elsa hopes to join HEAL as a volunteer. Al and Billie continue to serve as mentors, offering others the kind of support they once received.
“These patients went through some of the toughest treatments we offer,” Dr. Ramshesh said. “They made it through because of a deeply coordinated team, strong family support and their own courage and resilience. That’s what makes this work so meaningful.”
For Elsa and Al, Houston Methodist The Woodlands provided more than cancer treatment. It provided a path forward rooted in compassion, connection and hope.
“I try to remember there is a purpose,” Elsa said. “I hope my story can offer hope to others in knowing a diagnosis does not have to be a life sentence.”
Early detection and prevention are critical in the fight against cancer. If you or a loved one is seeking support, experts at Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center at The Woodlands are here to help. To learn more, visit houstonmethodist.org/cancer or call 936.270.3333.
