Stories

In January 2022 at age 29 I was diagnosed with Laryngeal Cancer. I had been suffering from a hoarse voice in May 2022 and had managed to be seen by an ENT specialist in June. I was then diagnosed with silent reflux and was prescribed reflux suppressants such as Gaviscon. For the next few months I would continually take things like Gaviscon multiple times a day in the hopes that it would improve the condition of my voice. For a little while it did feel like there were small improvements but my voice still remained hoarse.

My voice had been knackered since early in the year, like a typical man I ignored the obvious, ignoring the nagging of my family and friends. I eventually bowed to the pressure paying a visit to my friendly GP. In those days you could get a GP appointment without having to give your inside leg measurement to the receptionist.

I want to start this story off by saying how unbelievably proud of my daughter I am, and, through this experience, despite it being one of the worst things a child can go through, let alone a parent, she has made me appreciate the little things in life even more.

It was late October 1999 I was a month into my 42nd year and it was just an ordinary day but one that changed my life in so many ways. A life that I am so grateful to still have. I felt a lump on the right side of my neck. Four months later in late February 2000, after GP appointments, dental and then Hospital, I was finally diagnosed as having a Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

My name is Jon, or Jono. I am a 57‑year‑old builder that runs a building company as well as a building consultancy company dealing with health and safety.I have a very active family, with my wife Nicky, dog Fletcher, 4 children and 11 grandchildren.

Howdy! I’m Aaron Wayne, laryngectomee.

My Name is Lucy Lodge and I was diagnosed with Cancer of the Vocal Chords in August 2011 at 25 years old.