A woman from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, had to undergo the removal of a third of her tongue after experiencing pain that was initially attributed to her braces but turned out to be cancer, as per a report by Surrey Live. Kimberley Hattersley-Barton, 26, had a challenging health journey that began when she was diagnosed with bladder cancer at just 13 months old. Over the years, she faced multiple diagnoses of different cancers in her body, including a mass on her tongue and cancer in her thyroid. Despite being declared cancer-free for a year, Kimberley now finds herself battling kidney failure as a late effect of her childhood cancer treatment.
Sharing her experience, Kimberley revealed that what she initially thought was a harmless lump at the back of her tongue, turned out to be a malignant tumour. This led to a series of surgeries, including the removal of a significant portion of her tongue, resulting in a gruelling recovery process. Kimberley had to relearn basic functions like speaking and swallowing due to the impact of the surgeries on her tongue. The treatment took a toll on her physical strength, causing significant weight loss and weakness.
Following a period of remission, Kimberley was faced with another recurrence of cancer, this time in the middle of her tongue. Despite the challenges and disbelief at the recurrent nature of the disease, she underwent further surgeries to remove additional affected areas. The emotional toll of facing cancer multiple times was compounded by the physical changes, including a distinctive scar on her neck from one of the operations.
In a turn of events, Kimberley was later diagnosed with thyroid cancer, necessitating the removal of her thyroid gland and affected nodes. Throughout her journey, Kimberley has shown resilience and a determination to raise awareness about cancer and the challenges survivors face. Despite the ongoing impact of her treatments on her daily life, Kimberley remains grateful for overcoming the battles she has confronted.
Additionally, Kimberley has actively shared her story on social media, garnering support and fundraising for cancer-related charities. Her strength and perseverance continue to inspire others as she navigates life post-treatment, managing the lasting effects while advocating for greater awareness of cancer survivorship issues. With plans for future fundraising events, Kimberley aims to celebrate her journey and provide hope for others facing similar challenges.