A mum said she was told to put Bonjela on a mouth abscess by doctor which turned out to be cancer.
Lisa Colledge, from Great Sankey in Warrington, went to her doctors back in May 2018 regarding the abscess. But when it wasn't getting better she went to out of hours where they referred her for more tests.
An MRI scan came back clear, however the now 43-year-old said she still had pain. Lisa said her consultant carried out a biopsy where a few weeks later she was diagnosed with oral cancer. Since this first diagnosis, Lisa has had cancer four times.
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She said: "Straight away, the mum hat went on as 11 years ago, I lost my dad to cancer and our daughter wasn’t finding out here and now, so the consultant told me Aintree Hospital would be in touch for all my appointments. Out I walked, with a smile on my face told my daughter that I was fine and off we went to her eye appointment.
"I then had to break the news to my husband and our families, how do I tell my family the C word is back in our family? Last time we heard it, we lost my dad, well it wasn’t taking me. I’m not ready yet, so positive pants are firmly on and I will beat it, I will be a survivor and hopefully raise awareness.
"A week and a half later, my husband and I went to see the consultant at Aintree Hospital. He explained percentages and other figures, I remember asking 'am I going to be ok?' I do plain talking not percentages. Once I knew more and had answers to the questions she might have, we told our daughter all we knew and I made sure I was honest with her.
"My husband and I were both positive as it had been caught early and success rates were high but she had a little cry before taking on our positivity."
Lisa went on to have an operation in November 28, 2018 and it appeared the cancer had spread to the mum's lymph nodes - three of which had to be removed as well as 3cm of her tongue. Despite all Lisa went through she got "wedding fit" and married her husband Simon.
Following more tests and biopsies, Lisa found out in January 2019 she had thyroid cancer, meaning two types of cancer were growing at the same time and. The mum had to have her thyroid gland removed and more of her tongue.
Lisa suffered from infections and nerve pain but on November 15, 2019, she was told the amazing news she was cancer free. But on July 22, 2020, the mum was told the cancer had returned.
Lisa had more scans and an operation to remove the cancer. During one point of this period of treatment, an artery in Lisa's mouth burst and said "it was like someone had turned a tap on".
She said: "Next thing, I’m having injections to stop the bleeding and my room is full of surgeons, nurses and anaesthetists. They wanted me to sign the form for the surgery and I noticed they put on it that they want to put a tracheostomy in, in case it becomes a matter of life or death.
"My fear of losing my voice then came in and I thought there is no way that I should sign this. They then told me 'it’s a case of losing you or saving you, we have to do it'. Good point, I’m a mum and I’m not going anywhere yet so I signed."
This surgery was a success and Lisa was once again cancer free, but would need MRI scans every three months as medics had noticed "aggressive features." But Lisa was given more heartbreaking news after she began suffering with pain in her left jaw in February 2022.
Doctors told her this was an infection in her wisdom tooth following tests and an ultrasound. Lisa was given antibiotics and was given a check up the following week.
During her check up, Lisa's consultant noticed a "small ulcer" on the back of her tongue, but the mum thought she "may have bit it." However, Lisa started struggling to open her mouth wide enough to get food.
Devastatingly, Lisa was told on April 20 the mouth cancer had returned, she said: "I was numb, how can it be the fourth time." The 43-year-old has now had PEG tube fitted so she can eat and has started chemotherapy.
Lisa's friend, Cathy Beck, has now setup a GoFundMe page to "take the stress away" of any financial issues Lisa and her husband, Simon, may face as Lisa is currently unable to work. Writing on the fundraising page, Cathy said: "Lisa is the type of girl who will help anyone with no questions asked. So now we want to help her.
"At the moment due to her health Lisa is unable to work. This alone can cause massive stress as no matter how unwell you are, bills still need to be paid. We would like to take the added stress away from her and her family so they can concentrate on her whilst she is receiving treatment."
To donate the GoFundMe page, please click here.
