A entrepreneur has been diagnosed with cancer having suffered months of pain - including an agonising toothache.
Katie Washbourne, 35, was rushed for treatment for her non-hodgkin lymphoma cancer on the day she received the crushing diagnosis.
But the mum, who runs a not-for-profit coffee shop in Solihull, West Midlands, initially thought her pain was just that of a toothache, and even had a fang pulled out.
Now though, speaking from hospital, she said: "After many weeks of despair I got a phone call from the haematology team from the to say they wanted me to attend hospital immediately.
"I was confused as it was a haematologist who called with a nurse and it was broken to me that I had a very fast-acting non-hodgkin lymphoma and that it was imperative I started treatment that day."
Katie told Birmingham Live she is now braced for the "biggest fight of her life".
The cancer develops in the lymphatic system, with the most common symptoms being a painless swelling in a lymph node, usually in the neck, armpit or groin. Katie's tooth pain was followed by the discovery of a lump in her breast and "severe debilitating pain" across her face. It was so bad while she was driving that her husband Richard had to leave work to collect her from the roadside.
The left hand side of Katie's face then went completely numb. Weeks of pain and discomfort followed, as doctors worked to identify what was wrong with her.
Now, the mother, of Solihull, has started undergoing intensive chemotherapy.
"I sleep lots during the day but try to work when I am awake," the business owner said.
"My team have been crucial in stepping up to support me and without Michelle and the team I don't know what I would do. I am still a far way off being cured and will spend months in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital getting stronger each day.
"I have lost the feeling in my fingers, lost my hair, lost my ability to eat solid foods and many times lose track of my thoughts, however I have not lost the ability and the drive to keep pushing through to beat this disease. As some of the doctors saving my life are from Solihull it has felt quite surreal that the community in every way is now supporting me in the biggest fight of my life so far."
Katie, who is also the founder of child mental health service Ordinary Magic, has been documenting her journey on her Facebook page, and shared a moving video of her ten-year-old daughter Elsie shaving her mum's head. Because she is immuno-suppressed, Katie said one of the hardest things to contend with was not being able to see Elsie.
The mum continued: "We decided to take control of one of the largest changes and I allowed Elsie to have some fun playing hairdressers and then shaving my head. During this time Elsie said: 'When life gives you lemons, make lemonade'.
"Her strength, understanding and support for me have been beautiful and, in all of that darkness, being able to have some control was bittersweet and a beautiful and raw moment we shared with each other."
