A woman from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, Kimberley Hattersley-Barton, underwent the removal of a third of her tongue after what she thought was pain from braces turned out to be cancer. Kimberley’s medical journey began when she was diagnosed with bladder cancer at just 13 months old. Over the years, she has faced multiple cancer diagnoses, including a mass on her tongue and cancer in her thyroid. Despite being cancer-free for a year, Kimberley is now battling kidney failure, a late effect of her childhood cancer treatment.
After noticing a lump on her tongue that turned out to be a malignant tumour, Kimberley underwent rigorous treatment involving six and a half weeks of radiotherapy followed by surgery. The procedure included removing a significant portion of her tongue, leading to challenges in speaking and swallowing post-operation. The recovery was arduous, leaving Kimberley weak and frail, with significant weight loss impacting her everyday activities.
Despite overcoming cancer and recovering from the initial surgery, Kimberley faced a cancer recurrence in her tongue four years later, necessitating another operation to remove additional portions of her tongue. A subsequent diagnosis of thyroid cancer further added to her medical challenges. Kimberley’s resilience shines through as she navigates managing her health post-treatment, including taking medication to balance hormone levels and metabolism.
Kimberley actively shares her journey on Instagram to raise awareness, garnering support from over 700 followers. Her efforts also include organizing charity galas to raise funds for support networks. Looking ahead, Kimberley plans to hold another fundraiser in May 2025 to mark five years since her remission, continuing her advocacy for health issues.