Meet Kim

Kim writes powerfully about navigating numerous cancer diagnoses, the importance of timely psychological support, the challenges of living with late effects, and her message: You know your body best'.

Hi I’m Kim,

 I’m 27 years old and live at home with my family. I’ve always loved dance, and it’s been a big part of my life. Dancing has kept me healthy and strong through my health challenges and given me goals to work towards. I teach and assist at the dance school I took classes at and love sharing my passion with the students. I also love musical theatre and have seen countless shows. It’s important to me to enjoy the little things as well as the big things in life. I love making memories with everyone in my support circle, who’ve been there for me through difficult times, helping me keep moving forward and doing what I love.

 At the age of 13 months old I was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer on my bladder called Rhabdomyosarcoma. The treatment of multiple surgeries, chemo and radiotherapy has left me with many lifelong late effects; including kidney, ovarian and heart failure. Unfortunately, just after I turned 18, when I was ready to start a new chapter of my adult life; that wasn't going to be the case as l was diagnosed and treated for a tongue cancer - Squamous Cell Carcinoma. This first diagnosis of tongue cancer was treated by removing the back third of my tongue, a neck surgery as well as 6 and a half weeks of intensely high doses of radiotherapy to my head and neck. During this time I had to stop college and during my recovery, I didn’t know what my future would hold as I was surrounded by my friends moving into university or getting jobs. 

 I was at nearly 4 years remission when I was diagnosed again with tongue cancer during the peak of the COVID pandemic in 2020, luckily it was the earliest stage and I only required surgery again to my tongue and neck without further treatment. This was an extremely scary time, as due to the pandemic, I had to face the hospital admission and all tests by myself without my mum. This was the first time I had to deal with the experience myself, and I’m really proud of how I handled it given the invasive surgery I had and how I managed my emotions around the whole situation whilst being on my own. 

 I remained in remission until the summer of 2022, when it was confirmed I had a 4th cancer diagnosis of Papillary Thyroid cancer, and in the December that year I had a complete thyroid removal as well as a third neck dissection surgery.

 As you can imagine all of this has been more than a lot to endure and at any point I could've stopped and spiralled in many ways. I think people think once you're in remission that's it. You're done, you've recovered and you've survived. But it's more than that, it's living with the long-term effects of it all physically and mentally. 

 To continue to speak about late effects of cancer treatment; I have multiple that include kidney, heart and ovarian failure. Even though I’m in remission for cancer, these conditions impact my everyday lifestyle and how I feel. During the summer of 2024 I was unexpectedly thrown into starting long term dialysis treatment for my kidney failure condition… this has included many lifestyle adaptions and a huge commitment of time at the hospital per week. 

 Sadly, the most recent health challenge was another tongue cancer diagnosis. At the end of 2024, and after finally feeling like dialysis was a new normal part of my life. I got the devastating news that I was now going to be facing a 5th round against cancer. At only 27, this has been more than anyone should have to endure in their life, let alone as a young person. I’m currently still recovering from this surgery but now in a stable stage. But to start with I was burnt out emotionally and couldn’t stop questioning what my future may look like in terms of what normal routine I’ll be able to go back to, how much of my diet I’d be able to eat, and what I would sound like due to my speech changing.  

 As a young person facing all of this, I have found it hard to keep having to adapt the little everyday things we would normally take for granted, the endless appointments and procedures I have to attend and have, and the overall management of everyday energy levels.

 During the unexpected events of starting dialysis. I was really struggling mentally and emotionally to process what I was having to deal with and how to move forward. The hospital said they could refer me for psychology, but because of the waiting lists, it could be up to six months. 

 I really needed a space and support to help me deal with all I was feeling and thinking… but there was no way it would’ve been helpful to wait that amount of time to receive support. 

One of my best friends reached out to Ella Dawson foundation to make a referral on my behalf (I was an inpatient at the time and had no energy to even manage to do that myself). I immediately got a response and the support I received during the psychology sessions that got booked within a couple of weeks were exactly what I needed and my psychologist really understand all of my needs holistically also. 

 The process from hearing back from EDF was almost immediate and I was suprised in the best of ways how quick it was to access and be booked in with one of their psychologists. 

 My psychologist helped me to speak through, process and understand all that I was experiencing in a safe place that I could feel comfortable with in sharing all of my thoughts and feelings with her. She supported me throughout the sessions but also by writing a letter on my behalf that I could show health professionals, so that I didn’t have to explain myself and have the same conversation multiple times… this is something I was finding very exhausting and a lot to explain when having to rethink about vulnerable health challenges. 

 One thing I would want to share with other young people facing life threatening conditions like a cancer diagnosis is that you know your body best. Regardless of what professionals say, you have to let them know how you’re feeling and if something isn’t right. Early detection, intervention and support is vital and young people have the right to be listened to and treated equally despite our younger age. 

 One thing I was told and has helped me in many times in terms of perspective was what a nurse told me of ‘it’s long days but short months’. During the different times, the days can be long and hard to start with, but after the weeks pass, a couple of months or so later you can see a big difference in improvements and progression. 

 Now that I’m back into remission, I want to continue to work towards my personal goals of completely my dance teaching qualification. But also, to keep making memories and enjoy special days and trips with my friends between dialysis sessions… this is something that’s going to help me keep balance alongside my everyday reminders of my health. Having plans and things to look forward to is really important to me and helps a me feel like I have that sense of normality as well with still being able to enjoy and do things amongst all of the adaptations I’ve had to make. 

Check out Kim's social media page aimed at raising awareness and helping others: @kimberleys_lifewittheribbon