Hi everyone
I’m Radhika, a young mum of two from Leicester, and I recently went through a
terrifying ordeal with a rare sarcoma cancer in my throat. I’m sharing my story
because I believe it’s crucial to raise awareness about this disease and the
importance of getting an accurate diagnosis, especially among us mums who often put our own health on the back burner as we are so busy with mum life.
Just weeks after giving birth to my second child in February 2022, I noticed a
worrying lump on my neck. As a busy mum juggling a career as a project manager at HSBC, I did what we all do. I pushed through and tried not to worry too much. But when a family member expressed concern in March 2022, I knew I had to get it checked out.
I went to the doctor and got an appointment on the same day, but despite my GP’s referral for an urgent ENT evaluation, I faced a 5-month wait due to the Covid backlog. Fortunately, my private health insurance allowed me to be seen right away, and I was diagnosed with a thyroid issue. Over the next eight months, I endured what I can only describe as hell. I went through multiple scans, needle aspiration procedures and treatment for the suspected thyroid problem, but the lump just kept growing at an alarming rate. I knew something wasn’t right, but I felt like I was constantly being dismissed or misdiagnosed.
Mums, you know that feeling when your instincts are telling you something is wrong but worrying about the kids and the stress of daily life takes priority? That’s exactly how I felt. It was like screaming into a void while trying to be strong for my kids and keep up with the demands of work and family life. Sensing something was amiss, I sought a second opinion. This time, the NHS raised the possibility of cancer but ruled out sarcoma. I was scheduled for surgery in December 2022 with the Ear Nose & Throat specialist team, but just days before, the sarcoma specialist team in Nottingham intervened. They confirmed that I had liposarcoma, a rare cancer that had caused a 12.5cm tumour in my neck.
On 28th December, nine months after my initial symptoms, I finally had surgery to remove the tumour. I’m so grateful to the sarcoma team who supported me through this ordeal – they were amazing, but I can’t help but think about how different things could have been if I’d been diagnosed earlier.
Those nine months were absolutely terrifying. I was overwhelmed with uncertainty and fear, especially with two young children depending on me. I felt like I was constantly fighting an uphill battle, not just against the cancer but against a system that wasn’t listening to me. I believe we desperately need more awareness about sarcoma, both among the public and medical professionals. Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial, and I don’t want anyone else to go through the hell I experienced.
Has anyone else here had experience with sarcoma or struggled to get an accurate diagnosis for a serious health issue? I’d love to hear your stories and thoughts on how we can raise more awareness about rare cancers like sarcoma.
As mums, we’re always putting everyone else first, but this experience has taught me the importance of advocating for our own health. If something doesn’t feel right, keep pushing until you get answers. Don’t let anyone dismiss your concerns, because you know your body better than anyone.
Thank you for reading my story. I hope it helps to raise awareness and encourages others to trust their instincts when it comes to their health. And to all the mums out there, remember to take care of yourselves. We can’t pour from an empty cup.
Radhika Thakrar x
^Follow Sarcoma UK on social media and find out more about sarcoma at https://sarcoma.org.uk/sarcomaawarenessmonth/^