What happens when the very thing that defines you is threatened by cancer?
For professional singer-songwriter and vocal coach Sarah Jay Hawley, a diagnosis of tongue base and tonsil cancer raised a terrifying question: would she ever be able to sing again? In this episode, Barbara sits down with Sarah to explore her journey from the first subtle symptoms and challenges of getting a diagnosis to intensive radiotherapy, rehabilitation and the emotional impact of losing a part of your identity.
Sarah shares how her knowledge of vocal health, determination to maintain her swallowing and singing abilities, and the support of her speech and language therapist helped her navigate treatment. Together, they discuss the realities of recovery, the importance of mental health support and the often-overlooked challenges of living with the long-term effects of head and neck cancer.
But this is also a story of rediscovery. When singing became difficult, Sarah turned to other forms of creative expression, finding comfort and purpose in art, writing and sculpture. What began as a way to cope has since grown into The Art of Resilience, an exhibition exploring the cancer experience through creativity.
It's a heartfelt conversation about learning to embrace the person you are today, finding joy in unexpected places and discovering that, even when cancer changes your voice, you still have something powerful to say.
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