Ella Tyman, 21, experienced partial paralysis on the left side of her face following surgery to remove a rare parotid gland cancer. The surgery, performed in September 2023, was necessary because the tumor had wrapped around vital facial nerves.
Tyman first noticed a lump behind her ear in March 2023. Initially thinking it was an infection, she sought medical attention at a walk-in clinic. Doctors identified the inch-long lump and referred her to Aintree Hospital in Liverpool. Over the next five months, she underwent various scans and biopsies, which confirmed the diagnosis of parotid gland cancer, a type of head and neck cancer.
The tumor had doubled in size between her scans and the scheduled surgery. On September 6, 2023, Tyman underwent a six-hour operation. During the procedure, surgeons discovered the tumor's extensive growth and nerve involvement, necessitating the cutting of some of her facial nerves to ensure complete removal. Upon waking, Tyman found she could not move the left side of her face.
Despite the immediate aftermath of the surgery, Tyman began her degree in TV and radio studies at Salford University just over a week later, on September 15, 2023. She described the experience of starting university as frightening due to her altered appearance and fragile state, but she found the desire to meet new people and engage with her course motivating.
In November 2023, Tyman underwent 33 rounds of proton therapy at Christie’s Hospital in Manchester to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. She was declared cancer-free on January 10, 2024. The proton therapy treatment made her feel very ill, but being cancer-free marked a significant turning point, allowing her to begin rebuilding her life.
To manage the partial paralysis, Tyman engages in daily facial exercises and massages. She also receives Botox injections every three months to help relax the muscles that are still functional, as they have to compensate for the lack of movement on the left side. In May 2026, she underwent a further surgical procedure, a face-lift, where her jowls were repositioned and fat was transferred from her abdomen to fill a gap in her face. She has regained some minimal movement, allowing her to close her eye slightly and lift her cheek a small amount, though she still uses a special sticker to keep her left eye closed during sleep.
Tyman has spoken about the emotional toll of her diagnosis and recovery, admitting to grieving her former appearance and experiencing difficult days. However, she expresses gratitude for being cancer-free and has found renewed confidence, stating that surviving cancer has empowered her to believe she can overcome future challenges.