Hi, I'm Crystal. ​
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"Four years ago, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in my upper jaw.
I loved to act – I was an energetic, fearless and confident performer. Ever since I was a little girl, I found such joy in putting on performances for my family. I enjoyed it so much that I became serious about turning it into a career.
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Like many teenage girls, I wanted to alter certain aspects of my appearance to be more like the models I idolised, but I was happy with the person I was and that was enough for me.
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I had it all planned out. I was going to complete my acting course at college, go to university or drama school, win some acting roles and wake up every morning doing a job that I loved. I worked hard to try and achieve that dream. I thought nothing could stop me and I had all the time in the world to get there.
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It was in February 2016 when my older sister noticed my gum underneath my lip looked swollen. She lifted my lip and there was a small bump. I made an appointment with my dentist and doctor and after an x-ray, biopsy and a small operation, my consultant broke the news that I had bone cancer in my face.
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I was devastated. I thought “What have I done to deserve this?”.
Life felt so unfair. I thought I wouldn’t be able to act again, which left me heartbroken. It felt like there was a giant hole underneath my feet and all my hopes and dreams for the future were being sucked inside.
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What came next was six rounds of chemotherapy, numerous infections and utter exhaustion. Treatment was so hard, and I felt so isolated because I was the only person on the ward with a facial tumour.​ The chemotherapy was having a positive effect and day by day the tumour was getting smaller. I could finally start smiling again and I was getting back to my old self.​ However, this happiness was short lived. There were parts of the tumour the chemotherapy couldn’t reach, so I needed an operation to remove the rest. This was the toughest, hardest and most upsetting thing I have ever been through.​ Following the operation, I had to do a lot of emotional healing and finding gratitude for my health, friends, family and the fact that I could still speak, sing and see helped my recovery.​ Cancer has changed the person I am. I will never get back to the old Crystal, but I have evolved into a stronger, self-assured and compassionate person because of it and I hope my story inspires others to feel the same. ​ I promised myself that I would sign up to Teens Unite once I had healed and I did.​ My first Teens Unite session was a beauty day. I went with a friend and had so much fun. I had never been fed so much delicious food and pampered so much in one day! It was wonderful. ​ I then went on Teens Unite’s Activity Stay, which has been one of the best experiences of my life. It was the first time since my operation that I connected with a large group of people who were of a similar age to me.​ I now feel free to be myself, laugh and learn new and exciting things whilst meeting awesome people every day. I can chat to the Teens Unite team about anything and the constant support and care for my wellbeing is amazing. I'm very grateful.​ What I have been through, the challenges I’ve faced, the positives I’ve found and the support of Teens Unite has helped me become the Crystal I am today.​ I hope that by sharing my story, it reassures others that whether cancer leaves a visible or hidden scar, there are always people to help you get back up." (Photo copyright Sophie Mayanne)
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