Charlotte Rooney thought she just had a cold in January.
Charlotte Rooney, a woman from Banbury, thought her blocked nose was just a winter cold in January. She had no other symptoms, but after a few weeks, the blockage didn’t go away. She visited a doctor, was given nasal cream, and was initially told it wasn’t anything serious.
In February, Charlotte felt tingling on one side of her face, which turned into a burning pain. She was diagnosed with a chronic pain disorder called trigeminal neuralgia.
But this didn’t explain her blocked nose. In April, she went to a private doctor and found out she had a rare cancer called adenoid cystic carcinoma. She was told she might only have months to live, with very little chance of a cure.
Doctors suggested surgery to remove Charlotte’s tumor, followed by proton beam therapy. However, during the operation, they had to stop due to heavy bleeding, so she had to switch to radiotherapy instead.
Meanwhile, Charlotte started a fundraiser for Oracle Cancer Trust and planned a festival to raise more money. Last month, she reached her goal of £10,000.
Charlotte told the Daily Mail that the festival day was very emotional. Despite struggling to swallow, eat, and speak because of radiotherapy, she managed to sing at the event.
A few weeks later, Charlotte got good news from an MRI scan that didn’t show any cancer, which she called a “big shock.” She explained the scan showed healing bone where cancer used to be, saying, “It’s the best news I can have.”
There might still be some cancer too small to see, but it’s likely not growing. Charlotte will need MRI scans every three months, as doctors expect the cancer may come back since it often recurs.
She’s still raising money for Oracle Cancer Trust. Her first fundraiser passed £10,000, and another has already raised over £5,000.
