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Amanda Vs Tonsil Cancer, Doncaster (2025)

27/07/2025

3 years ago I was having a little break in the Cotswolds trying to keep my mind off the fact I was soon starting chemoradiotherapy and didn't know how it would affect me.
Although the treatment/malnutrition has left me with lasting issues with hearing, swallowing, my voice and an auto-immune disease that affects my joints and hands, would I do it again if I had to?
Of course I would!
Life is precious.
Today is for awareness. Anything odd; neck lumps, persistent sore throat, trouble swallowing, voice changes. GET IT CHECKED OUT!
Pic is from earlier this year having an amazing holiday.

19/12/2024

I am in a hearing loss group on facebook and a lovely audiologist is doing videos with a simulation of different people's hearing loss based on their audiograms, so that friends and family can understand the issues. This one is mine if anyone is interested 😊 👂

19/09/2024

Two years ago today I had my first radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment.
I have a bittersweet relationship with the contents of this bag (and the radiotherapy)
They got rid of the cancer which is obviously amazing, but after many appointments this week I have had it confirmed that the issues they left me with are not likely to improve any further.
I am now sporting hearing aids as I have significant hearing loss in both ears caused by this yellow bag of platinum based liquid.They help a bit and my brain may adjust and make it better at filtering out background noise in a few months but at the moment I get louder sounds but not clearer.
I struggle with a lot of consonant sounds, so unless I can see someone's lips form the word I can hear something totally different to what is being said. Be prepared to have to repeat everything several times. It's frustrating and sometimes I give up listening as it's hard work or embarrassing asking 'pardon?' several times and still not getting it or being in a meeting with people all talking at once where I can't make out anything. I also have constant tinnitus which can be annoying.

My swallowing - I still have issues with various parts of my throat and tongue not forming the right shape to get food down, this is caused by the radiotherapy. I can eat a full meal now but it takes about an hour and I need 2 large glasses of coke/water to swallow it down with. I hate eating around strangers as I'm never sure if the food will go down or come back up, so don't tend to eat a proper meal if out and about. I can't just grab something to eat in the car or on the street anymore. It can take a few minutes to get a single mouthful down and if anyone talks to me or rings me at that moment I choke if i try to swallow quickly to answer. I have been known to dribble and I'm not talking about football.
I have managed to put a bit of weight back on last week whilst on holiday, but that mightve been the desserts (easier to swallow) and cocktails (ditto) 😆
I have other issues going on with my joints but don't particularly think they are related to my cancer/treatment so I won't harp on about them here.
All in all things could be worse. I've still managed to have the most amazing year with lots of travelling, day trips, nights out and family get togethers. I still consider myself lucky. I can still work, as I'm able to work from home so that helps considerably. I get to go on holiday a few times a year, the heat definitely helps my body feel better. I can still enjoy myself. Things could most definitely be worse! 💗

04/05/2024

What an amazing and emotional evening. Thankyou to my family and friends who came to support the Aurora Fashion Show, it means so much 🥰
My Aurora family - you are all amazing and the silveryest of silver linings in my cancer journey. Love you all ❤️
Thankyou also to the shops and boutiques that allowed me to model their amazing clothes. Thankyou for your support xx
(In order of pictures)
Imeldas Boutique
Pride & Joy Boutique
New Look
Klass
Quinlan Couture Bridal

22/04/2024

I'm not usually one for moaning but I'm feeling a bit down today so thought I would do a post to help clear my own thoughts. I'm well aware things could be worse and that people are dealing with worse things in life. My family and friends see me sharing pictures of us having a great time out and about or on holiday and yes I am enjoying my life BUT I can't do everything I want to and that, at the moment, is getting to me a bit.
My hearing loss caused by the chemo may not improve now, I struggle to hear unless I'm in a one to one situation in a quiet environment, even then if someone isn't facing me, or whispering I can't hear properly. Sometimes I think I talk over people as I can't hear them and I don't join in group conversations much because half the time I don't know what is being said. I've tried hearing aids with a private company but they didnt make enough difference to warrant paying out £5k. They dont give me clarity, just make background noise louder too which can be physically painful if its at a certain pitch. Things that never bothered me before make my head rattle, the ring doorbell sound, kids screaming, high pitched voices and even birds tweeting set my teeth on edge. I've got a NHS appointment soon but im not sure much can be done.
It actually feels a bit isolating sometimes and I worry people think I'm being ignorant when I don't join in so much, but sometimes I don't know what's going on.
I have painful, stiff joints and my hands are pretty useless at the moment, I drop things, can't undo things, can't carry anything heavier than a small glass of water, can't push a heavy door open due to athritis in my wrists, my fingers are curling in due to knotted tendons, I can't even hold hands with my partner. I've been blaming all that on menopause but it looks like it could also be effects of the cancer treatment. I have a few appointments coming up, hopefully something can be done rather then just having to live on painkillers.
I still can't eat properly and choked on cereal last week in the house on my own, I couldn't breathe for a couple of minutes and had a bit of a panic and couldnt think straight. Thankfully my body took over and managed to cough it out. My throat is apparently still swollen from treatment.
If you got this far, thank you. Normal service will resume shortly I'm sure. I just wanted people to be aware that it's still a long journey. Ringing the bell was more the beginning than the end.

30/01/2024

A positive post.
I had my check up yesterday with the ENT consultant. These check ups are now every 2 months for the next year. I have a camera up my nose and down my throat, which isn't pleasant, especially when your throat is scarred and sensitive after the radiotherapy but I get through it without throwing up. Nothing untoward found. I had my mouth examined for any growths. My neck was examined and they felt scar tissue and fluid that has gathered in my lymph nodes but no signs of anything being wrong. I mentioned that I now struggle to take tablets as they get stuck but apparently this is common after this treatment and may not improve. I complained about neck and shoulder stiffness/pain and have been referred to physio for that. I forgot to mention I get stabbing pain in my cheeks when eating sometimes. I'll mention it next time.
The consultant told me that I am a hell of a lot further on than a lot of other people at this stage. I'll take that! It made me realise that I am lucky. Some people don't come through or have much worse complications. Yes I still struggle to eat/swallow and maintain weight which causes nutrition issues and muscle loss, yes I have aches and pains that affect various parts of my body, yes I get tired still, yes my voice is croaky and I cant sing anymore, yes my hearing is affected and my brain struggles to recall information quickly BUT I can enjoy my life thanks to my amazing family, partner, friends, colleagues and my new 'family' the Aurora Fashion Show team who are all people that have been through cancer and model clothes from local shops to help raise money for the Aurora cancer treatment centre. The people I have met are fabulous. Everyone understands what we've been through and how we feel. Had I not been through this journey I would never have met them so how can I not be positive about that!
Thankyou for following my journey.
(I'll put the poster in the comments for anyone that wishes to see the show)

23/10/2023

I will be watching this as we were going through the same treatment around the same time, it will be interesting to compare our stories. I was always waiting for an update wondering how he was doing. Good to know he's well enough to tour again.

19/09/2023

1 year ago today I had my first radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments.
It's gone quick but feels like forever in equal measure.
I'm not back to 'normal' but was told it could take 2 years and even then it might be my new normal.
I still struggle to eat and swallow and its now a battle to maintain my weight as I really don't want a feeding tube again. I think it's still improving slowly. Maybe one day I'll be able to enjoy a steak again but for now I'm eating because I should. I've lost around 4 and a half stone now. Not recommended as a diet. Zero stars.
I've lost a lot of muscle and have joint issues which I'm waiting for an appointment with a rheumatologist.
I get out of breath going uphill, especially if its hot, I get dizzy and have to stop.
My hearing is still not back, loud high pitched noises are physically painful and i have tinnitus off and on and struggle to hear talking if there's any background noise. I have an appointment to see about trialling hearing aids.

BUT they are the negatives and between them all they don't add up to the massive positive that I'm still here, the treatment worked and recent check ups say there's no return.

FU Cancer 🖕 not this time!

02/05/2023

Today feels like a significant milestone so I thought I would do an update.
Its a year since a massive lump appeared on my neck overnight and its 6 months since I had my last radiotherapy treatment for what turned out to be tonsil and lymph node cancer..
A year ago today we had arrived in Las Vegas. I had been to the doctor about this lump the week before and been referred to ENT at Doncaster Royal Infirmary but they couldn't fit me in before we went away. The doctor had told me he didn't think it was anything to worry about and to enjoy my holiday, which I did. I don't know if he'd purposely said that so that I could enjoy a last holiday before my life significantly changed, or whether he was a crap doctor 🤣 but either way I'm glad he said it.
On our return, the ball started rolling and I was told that I'm going to lose a year of my life and the aim was to CURE. I clung on to that word. That word, I believe, is what has kept me positive.
So here I am a year later.
Today for the first time since treatment I woke up with a bit of saliva in my mouth and didn't have to peel my tongue off the roof of my mouth. As dry mouth is my main issue now I really hope this means things are getting back to normal at last. Extreme lack of saliva is not just about your mouth being a bit dry and needing a drink of water, it actually can be really painful and a drink doesn't always quench it. Your saliva protects your mouth and teeth from bacteria and decay so without it you are extremely high risk of teeth and gum problems. My tongue is misshapen and sore from rubbing against my teeth as there hasn't been that natural barrier and i have gum disease. I have fake saliva products to use but they only help so much. I really hope today means I have turned a corner! If saliva has improved that means my eating and swallowing can also improve although I dont think I'd dare tackle a steak yet.
My only other issues are my hearing, which has not gone back to normal, and my energy and strength but they are slowly improving.
I'm back at work, not quite full time and from home.
I'm going out a bit more, even eating out although I tend to only have a starter or kids meal and need a jug of water with it.
I'm back at the hospital this week where I will have a check over and find out what my after care looks like.
Hopefully all is good and the £*@&/+& ×@ #&=> 🤬 is still nowhere to be seen!

27/02/2023

Maybe today should have been the day I got to ring the bell!
I have just had my scan results and there is no visible sign of cancer in the treated areas.
There is a nodule on my thyroid that I'm having an ultrasound on but they don't think it is cancerous.
I still have some ongoing issues, as previously mentioned, from the treatment but they should carry on improving albeit slowly.
I'd love to be able to actually enjoy a meal but its still a chore. I'm sure one day soon I will though.
Thanks to those of you that have continued to check up on me occasionally and thanks to everyone for following my journey, which is not far off complete all being well xx

12/12/2022

It's a while since I've done an update!
5 weeks post treatment now and I'm feeling much better.
The first 2 or 3 weeks after ringing the bell were grim.
I spent most of it on the bathroom floor throwing up or in bed. Struggled to get any nutrition in, even via my peg tube as it was too much effort but not eating made me even weaker.
My skin was grey and haggard, my neck and throat very sore.
After nearly 3 weeks I started to feel better, managed to get dressed most days and get a couple of juice supplements down my tube, which gave me a bit more strength. I started to eat bites of food though it was difficult as the taste wasn't good, certain things burnt my tongue even though only mild flavours and swallowing with no saliva is extremely difficult. The sickness went away as the thick mucous disappeared and I could once again brush my teeth stood at the sink without fear of wretching and passing out. (I was previously having to sit in the corner of the bathroom so that I didn't hurt myself passing out. The dog used to come and watch me and when I started to be sick he'd run off to get Andy, thinks he's Lassie!😆)

So now, I'm feeling stronger. I'm managing to eat more but it's hit and miss what I can manage but I'm trying different things. I had a toddler size Sunday roast at the weekend which I never thought I'd be so ecstatic about but for me that was a huge deal. I've managed to go out a couple of times for a couple of hours and it's been so nice to see people. We also had a few days away we took a wheelchair but I didn't use it that much, though uphill is a massive struggle.

The negatives at the moment are intense dry mouth, imagine eating Jacobs crackers without a drink and that is what its like trying to eat most things, drinking doesn't quench the thirst/dryness just makes it less uncomfortable. This may not improve. I carry a water bottle everywhere and worry that people think its really vodka 😶
My neck is quite saggy which I guess is a combination of radiotherapy, weight loss and age!
My hearing is not right, it may or may not improve.
I tire easily especially on any inclines and I can only do one job a day.
I struggle getting the right words out and remembering names sometimes.
All in all though, all these things I can cope with as they are much better than the alternative.

I won't get my scan to check the treatment has worked for another 6/7 weeks, then will have to wait for results.
I can only remain hopeful and positive until that day.
Thank you everyone that has sent messages of support, it means a lot xx

04/11/2022

Last day of treatment.
All in all feeling better than I expected to at this stage.
I've lost a few layers of skin off my neck and that will get worse for the next couple of weeks as the radiotherapy carries on working.
I can't eat and have no appetite so existing on special high calorie juice through 'Peggy'
I'm tired and a bit weak.
My throat is sore/burnt but the pain is manageable.
The worst side effect is congestion in the back of my throat causing me to wretch and often throw up, sometimes passing out just to make it even more fun.
It can take weeks/months for the side effects to improve.
I can't stop thinking about food even though I'm not hungry.
It will be another 12 weeks before I have a scan to check that the treatment has done its job as before then the cells are still active so would show activity.
Mentally I'm doing ok though today doesn't feel as significant as I thought it would, as I'm not going to make a miraculous recovery any time soon.
All I can do is keep going and hope my body does its job.
Thanks to everyone that's messaged checking up on me xx

Amanda Vs Tonsil Cancer

27/07/2025

19/12/2024

19/09/2024

04/05/2024

22/04/2024

30/01/2024

23/10/2023

19/09/2023

02/05/2023

27/02/2023

12/12/2022

04/11/2022

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