Finding light in adversity – Hazel Turner  

When diagnosed with cancer I like many others thought my life was over. I knew nothing about HPV driven tumours. I thought wrongly that my teenage years of having a drink, and a smoke had caught up with me. I was frightened and sad [and] the thought of John being on his own never seeing our daughter flourish or our grandson go to high school petrified me.  

It was when my lovely oncologist said “90 % cure rate” I thought ok positive mental attitude and get the big girl knickers on. By my nature I’m a glass half full lady so the aims I had was to still be me at the end of all the hard treatment that was to come. Cancer wasn’t going to define me. If anything, it’s made me a kinder person I’m still actively helping others negotiate the pathway through diagnosis, treatment and more importantly recovery.  

I look at the positives – I’ve made many new friends (lost a few as well) that our paths wouldn’t have crossed. I’ve seen our daughter flourish, and our grandson get to high school – even involved him in HPV awareness campaigns.  

Our extended family has increased by 6 new babies over the last 7 years. Numerous holidays riding our bikes. The life I thought I had lost on the fateful day 29 May 2018 when I heard “sorry squamous cancer cells were found in your lymph nodes, and the primary looks to be in your tonsil area” is well and truly still here.  

I was afraid I wouldn’t be me, but I am still me not a new me, ask my long-suffering husband. I’m still me for which we are both grateful for. Yes, cancer can be scary but for many of us there’s a great life to live.  

My motto is: one life just live it. Which I am doing to the fullest.  And I’m always ready to help anyone work their way through a head and neck cancer diagnosis.