The Challenges Of Cancer

WHEN RADIO BROADCASTER JULIE MCCROSSIN WAS TOLD SHE HAD THROAT CANCER, SHE WASN’T PREPARED FOR HOW MUCH THE DISEASE WOULD AFFECT HER. FIVE YEARS ON, SHE SHARES HER EXPERIENCE AND TELLS WHAT HELPED HER DURING A VERY DIFFICULT TIME

When radio broadcaster and journalist Julie McCrossin was diagnosed with stage 4 oropharyngeal (throat) cancer, she was suddenly thrown into a terrifying world of intensive treatments, medical jargon and uncertainty. Now in remission, she has created a series of podcasts about cancer, including everything from coping with brain fog, to managing the crippling fear that commonly comes along with a diagnosis. She chatted with Good Health & Wellbeing about her experience, her biggest challenges, and the best ways that family and friends can show support.

Bolt from the blue

It happened in 2013. I was 58, and developed a persistent sore throat and earache, plus I noticed two little lumps low on my neck. I was very fit, but I had these constant, odd symptoms and was taking Panadol daily, which was unlike me. I knew something was wrong.

My GP never referred me to a specialist, but I wanted to get to the bottom of it so I wrote to an ear, nose and throat doctor, who agreed to see me based on my symptoms. A biopsy revealed I had stage 4 oropharyngeal cancer – I had it in the tonsils, back of my tongue and the side of my throat, plus it had spread to my lymph nodes.

I asked the doctor, ‘What’s my chance?’ I was told I had an 80 percent chance of survival – a good number in cancer. He said if there’s 10 people in the room, eight are going to live, and two are going to die. Then he said, ‘In other words, I expect you to live, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t!’ And in a funny way that helped me to trust him! I knew he would always tell me the truth.