Story
This time last year I was feeling really tired all of the time, had horribly itchy arms and legs, and had been losing weight since Christmas. I put all of these symptoms down to stress but decided to go to the GP when I noticed a walnut size lump behind my collar bone. I initially assumed that it was a harmless cyst, but I was sent on to a specialist and then for a on for an ultrasound guided biopsy. It was during the biopsy that the doctor told me 'this looks likely to be something sinister'.
After a PET/CT scan it became clear that I had stage 2 Hodgkin Lymphoma with a 15cm wide tumour in my chest. I hadn't realised that I had been struggling to breath normally - I thought I was just unfit! It was a shock to suddenly realise that I had cancer, and Lymphoma Action was a really useful resource throughout my treatment.
After 4 cycles of AVBD chemotherapy and 15 radiotherapy treatments I am now cancer free. I was lucky to catch my Lymphoma early, but I am worried that others might delay seeing the doctor for what might seem like minor symptoms. I hope that by participating in this campaign I can help raise awareness of the symptoms of Lymphoma - it would be great if I could help someone else to catch it early!
