Ella Tyman, an 18-year-old from Skelmersdale, was preparing to start her first year at the University of Salford in September 2023 when she received a phone call from her doctor. The call informed her that she needed urgent surgery on a lump discovered behind her ear during a routine appointment for an eye infection. Initially, doctors did not suspect a serious condition, and Ella proceeded with her university plans, hoping the issue would be quickly resolved.
Diagnosis and Surgery
Ella was diagnosed with parotid gland cancer, a rare form of cancer affecting the salivary glands. What was expected to be a 45-minute operation to remove the lump turned into a six-hour procedure after surgeons discovered that the cancer had wrapped around the nerves in her face. Ella recalled, "Initially my doctors hadn’t thought that it was as serious as it was. They had only found the lump during an appointment over an eye infection. I still wanted to go to University and started as a normal student, thinking it would soon be resolved." She added, "But it was clear that it had escalated quite a bit when I went in. My cancer had basically doubled in size."
Recovery and Challenges
Although the surgery was successful, Ella faced significant challenges. The left side of her face was paralysed due to nerve damage, and she could not blink on that side. This made her anxious about leaving the house, let alone attending university. She considered dropping out but was encouraged by her family, friends, and course leaders. She continued studying for her BA in Television and Radio Production while undergoing proton therapy to eliminate remaining cancerous cells. Ella said, "I’d missed out on Fresher’s Week and my course had started so I was just very nervous but I met up with Seren, one of my flatmates, who has supported me all the way through University and my treatment. My family was also very encouraging and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without their support."
Graduation and Achievements
Ella was declared cancer-free on New Year's Eve 2023. Three years later, at age 21, she graduated from the University of Salford with first class honours. As part of her studies, she spent a year abroad in Chicago, which she described as the best year of her life. She said, "It was honestly the best year of my life – I would recommend doing a year abroad to everyone. I’ve developed so much as a result of the experience. Getting that full year of independence by myself in Chicago, immersing myself in the facilities, and finding a real passion for directing and camerawork which I was then able to take back with me to Salford." Reflecting on her journey, Ella added, "I’m really proud of everything that I've achieved. I’ve gone through three years of struggling ever since it happened, but I’ve persevered and still gone to university when I could have easily turned around and not gone. I carried on and I’ve been able to do things that I couldn’t even have imagined as possible in my first year. I’ve come out of it all and pushed through to achieve so much."
