Episode #7
Ep 7. From Cancer Diagnosis to Eye Removal in 3 weeks: Tessa's Way Through
In this episode Charlie speaks with Tessa, a communications consultant and former broadcast journalist, about her shock diagnosis of ocular melanoma and the rapid 3 week journey from first symptom to eye removal. This conversation is honest, practical, and deeply human, focusing on how Tessa rebuilt confidence, mobility, and identity after losing her right eye. We discuss the realities of adapting to monocular vision, the emotional impact of cancer and surgery, and how storytelling can turn a traumatic experience into something useful and positive for others. Key moments we discuss: The speed of her diagnosis and treatment, from optician visit to specialist referral to eye removal in about three weeks. Prosthetics, including the diference between acrylic implants & scleral shells. The emotional reality of sight loss, including fear, grief, shock, and the strange delay before deeper trauma surfaces. Relearning everyday tasks. The social side of sight loss, including awkward conversations, people looking away, and the relief of being asked directly how to communicate. The value of community, including Tessa’s friendship with another woman who later went through the same surgery and how powerful peer support can be. How writing about her experience, speaking publicly, and coaching communications have given her renewed purpose. Chapters 04:23 - Diagnosis and eye removal in three weeks 06:52 - Why eye melanoma is different from other cancers 08:35 - What happens after eye removal 09:46 - Learning to look in the mirror again 19:07 - Relearning depth, steps, taps, and movement at home 23:25 - Neuroadaptation, therapy, and learning to trust safety again 24:43 - Driving 29:56 - Learning to live with a prosthetic eye 38:56 - Turning pain into purpose through writing and speaking 46:01 - Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with monocular vision 49:27 - What monocular vision does and does not stop her doing 55:21 - What Tessa would say to someone newly single-eyed Links: Connect with Tessa Tessa‘s website LinkedIn – Tess a Parry-Wingfield Connect with Charlie: Charlie Flounders - LinkedIn https://www.instagram.com/charlieflounders If you enjoyed this episode please follow along, or read more about the show here: https://www.charlieflounders.com/podcast-1eoth/ And lastly, your help in spreading the word would be hugely appreciated and so valuable to those newer to the journey of sight loss than us. If you know someone this story would help, please forward it to them. I would also like to see posters advertising the podcast in every eye unit in every hospital in the country. Collectively, I know we can make a huge difference, so please do get in touch if you have any ideas on how we can spread this message far and wide. Let’s sprinkle these stories around like fairy dust and hope that if enough dust falls, they will hit the ears of exactly the people that need to hear them! Keywords sight loss, resilience, community support, eye cancer, eye removal, recovery journey, finding purpose, emotional adaptation, humour, one eye, sight loss,
