A mother has opened up about the distressing experience of losing her entire nose to cancer and how a simple everyday object has become her biggest enemy.
In May 2014, Tina Earls received the news that she had stage two nasal cancer. Faced with the potential risks of radiotherapy affecting her sight, brain and mouth she made the brave decision to undergo a total rhinectomy and remove her entire nose.
Nasal cavity or sinus tumours are incredibly uncommon, making up only about 0.1 per cent of cancer cases diagnosed in the United States each year. Tina told truly she now has to fight to put on a brave face after the op.
READ MORE: 'I make millions sleeping with OAPs but there's one grim act that my fans really love'
Read more USA news by clicking here.
"People say 'why are you so confident?' Because I fought hard and I'm alive. Nothing's more beautiful than alive," she said.
The size of a rhinectomy can differ based on the size of the tumour but it's common for individuals who undergo this procedure to receive a fake nose afterwards.
After waiting six months for her face to heal fully, Tina decided against having a prosthetic nose.
She said: "I didn't like the way it looked, I didn't like the glue – it irritated my skin.
"I wore it for about two years, I just don't care for it."
To stay up to date with all the latest news, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here .
She later shared on her TikTok profile that a significant amount of the bone around her nose had been removed, leaving no space for magnets to be attached to a magnetic prosthetic.
Instead Tina has chosen to wear a patch and has informed her followers about the pros and cons of her decision.
She said: "I can breath through the hole, I wear the patch to help warm and moisten my breath – it's for comfort.
"Yes, I've had to stick my finger in there a few times to clean it and yes it hurts."
She also added that she has no issues with swimming, provided she doesn't put her head under the water, and she can still smell and taste as normal.
However, in one video she said that pepper is her 'absolute nemesis'
"I love cooking with it, love tasting it, but I have to be careful because yes it does get in my face hole."
Join the Daily Star's WhatsApp for the sexiest headlines, showbiz gossip and lots more
The Daily Star is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join us!
Through the app, we'll send you the sassiest showbiz stories, some naught headline and a seismic smattering of aliens…along with the latest breaking news of course.
To join our community, all you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in!
No one will be able to see who has sign up and no one can send messages except for the Daily Star team. We also treat our community members to competitions, special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN
Source: Read Full Article
