A mother reveals that her daughter stopped attending dance classes due to what was thought to be ‘growing pains,’ which turned out to be a ‘golf-ball-sized’ tumor in her throat. Cheryl Barber noticed her 11-year-old daughter, Tamelia Felway, feeling fatigued and experiencing discomfort in September 2022. Tamelia, a dedicated dancer, gave up dancing, started gaining weight, and displayed mood changes that raised concerns for Cheryl, leading her to seek advice from their family doctor.
Despite initial reassurances that the symptoms were attributed to ‘growing pains’ and puberty, with normal blood test results, Cheryl’s unease persisted. In September 2024, Cheryl discovered a lump on Tamelia’s throat, initiating a prolonged period of medical evaluations that eventually led to the removal of the lump.
In November 2025, doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital diagnosed Tamelia with thyroid cancer, prompting her to undergo radiotherapy starting in May 2028. Cheryl emphasized the importance of parental intuition in navigating the diagnostic journey and established a GoFundMe campaign to support hospital visits while caring for her younger daughter, Lily.
Cheryl, residing in Uxbridge, West London, expressed her distress over Tamelia’s condition, highlighting the challenge of identifying the tumor amidst symptoms like tiredness and weight gain. The realization dawned on Cheryl when she noticed a prominent lump in Tamelia’s throat, triggering immediate concern and anxiety.
Tamelia’s GoFundMe has garnered over £3,200 in donations, aiding in her cancer treatment. Despite uncertainties regarding the cancer’s stage, Cheryl recalled doctors suggesting that the tumor might have been present for three years, underscoring the need for proactive parental instincts in healthcare decisions.
Thyroid cancer originates in the thyroid gland located in the lower front neck area. Symptoms typically include a neck lump, hoarseness, sore throat, and swallowing or breathing difficulties. Treatment commonly involves surgical intervention, alongside options such as hormone therapy, radioactive iodine treatment, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy.