My name is Jessie and here is my story.

My journey began in 2022 when i went to the doctors and they found a lump on the right side of my neck, They did scans, tests, bloods and yet they couldn’t figure out what it was “we can’t work out what it is but it’s nothing nasty don’t worry” I was fed up of going to the hospital constantly as they gave me reassurance that it isn’t anything nasty so i stopped going. As time went on i noticed the lump getting bigger and eventually blocking my jaw muscle leaving me struggling to open my mouth more and more every day. By the time i saw a doctor again i was only able to open my mouth 5mm. I started my journey all over again by doing scans biopsy’s and tests. On the 22nd of October 2025 i had the news i had throat cancer called Mucoeperdermoid Carcinoma which has no cause for it , i could’ve lived my life differently and i still would’ve had it. On the 24th of November i went into my 14 hour surgery to remove the cancer along with my jaw bone and the margin around the tumour. During surgery they had to take more out than expected including nerves in my tounge, down my oesophagus. To replace the jaw bone they took they had to use a bone out of my leg along with muscles, vessels and skin to fill in the parts they took away. I spent 3 weeks in the Heath Hospital in Cardiff learning to talk , eat , drink and walk again. My surgeons were Mr Thomas , Mr Henry and Mr vuti who were incredible and looked after me. During the surgery they sent off the tumour along with everything else they took away in the surgery for a confirmation of the biopsy which came back as expected which was a Mucoeperdermoid Carcinoma , they had tested the jaw bone and nerves that were potentially infected with cancer, The biopsy confirmed that the cells had traveled to nerves and bone which had made my cancer a stage 4. 6 weeks after my surgery is when i began my treatment of radiotherapy in Valindra Cancer Centre in Cardiff. On the 20th of February I rang the bell to celebrate finishing my treatment! It was incredibly difficult, i had to have one session every day Monday to Friday for 6 weeks. As the time went on my skin started to burn and my mouth became incredibly sore which caused me to struggle to eat and talk. I will have regular check ups for the next 5 years.

Teenage Cancer Trust has helped me since the minute i got my diagnosis by regularly checking in on me and helping with grants, blue badge and during my treatment with a calendar and goodies everyday after my treatment.

McMillan is the charity that is part of Valindra Cancer Centre and has helped me with references and supported me everyday during treatment.

Teenage Cancer Trust creates world class cancer services for young people in the UK, providing life-changing care and support so young people don't have to face cancer alone.

Thank you for reading my story.