"With the support of Maggie's I have managed to live and be proud of my facial disfigurement. Walking down the catwalk will be my biggest statement so far."

Tracey’s Story

In 2018 at the age of 52 I was diagnosed with nose and skin cancer. I had a 2cm/3cm rumour at the back of my nose, the size of a golf ball, cancer of the septum and skin cancer, which had grown from inside my right nostril down to the top of my lip.

I remember feeling devastated. I had no obvious symptoms - didn't feel ill, hadn't lost any weight. My consultant told me he could remove the cancer but it would mean "destroying my beautiful face" -- his words.

I told him to take away all of my face if it meant being given the chance to spend more time with my family and friends.

The following month the tumour and skin cancer was successfully removed. A month later I had major facial reconstruction using cartilage from my right ear and skin grafts. I had stitching under my right and left eye, down the sides of my nose meeting in the middle and going down to my top lip and inside the jaw

I spent many months hating my face . People stared and made comments about my looks. I would hide away - go out in the dark. I was ashamed about my looks. I totally transformed as a person - I was no conversely confident I was insecure and at my lowest times I couldn't talk to anyone. I felt like the walls around me were caving in - I was giving up . Painkillers and anxiety meds helped to numb my thoughts but they were deep rooted - crawling in my skin.

Then thankfully I was Sent in the right direction and I found Maggie's - my shining light in an extremely dark tunnel .

I attended a 1-1 Looking good Feeling better session with one of my guardian angels - Lisa Tomkins. She was amazing, she was the first person I had allowed to touch my scars and I ended up having a full counselling session with her - shedding many tears, sharing chocolates and trying to keep the make up on

With the continued support from Maggie's I was able to learn to accept the way my face and myself had changed and I was able to return to work as an acute respiratory nursing assistant at Manchester Royal Infirmary

Then suddenly/unexpectedly Covid arrived. I initially struggled with wearing the masks due to my nose reconstruction but continued to work. Sadly I got Covid last April and continue to have long covid symptoms but I plod on and I am extremely proud to work for our NHS - even through the tough times .

Sadly due to further damage to my nose last year and the transplant cartilage failing my nose is slowly collapsing. I'm December I will be having further major surgery that will sadly give me more scars. It has taken me 3 years to get used to this one and my scarring has healed really well. Now I gave another hurdle and know I will look different again.

With the support of Maggie's I have managed to live and be proud of my facial disfigurement. Walking down the catwalk will be my biggest statement so far.

I no longer want to hide away and be ashamed of my scars - This is me

Marching on to the beat of the drum - Look on cos here I come

I might fall down , but I always get up again and I will kick down doors for others to walk through

This is me - This is who I am.

I am extremely honoured to be part of an event that will unenlightened a lot of awareness and money for Maggie's. This is my chance to give a bit back for all they have done for me xxx