My Journey...
I was studying film production at the University of Salford and was loving every minute of it. Going to media city and being in that environment was a dream come true! Creating films with my friends and getting high praise from lecturers, making friends, living the student life, my Uni experience was amazing.
Visiting home one day, I saw a golf ball-sized lump in my collarbone area. It was uncomfortable, but it did go away. It came back stronger, moving to my collarbone and then to the side of my neck where a visible lump could be seen. My Mum took me to the doctor, but we kept getting the same answer: that it was swollen lymph glands.
I finished my first year of Uni, and was back home at the end of May. I'd noticed my armpit was swollen and it was painful, so we went back to the doctors. They wanted me to have a blood test to see why it kept coming back. The results said that I was slightly anaemic and my rate of infection was high but everything else on the chart seemed to be normal. I went for a further check with another doctor, who while examining me, found lumps in my chest and hip area. This is where the term cancer was brought up by the doctor. After going to see more doctors and doing different tests I got the diagnosis that I have Hodgkin Lymphoma.
As I write this, I have started my chemo treatment. I have only had one round, which is three days of chemo and then a break. It is really tough, it completely drains me and makes me feel ill.
I will start having injections that help to increase my white blood cell count, so my immune system is strong again.
I have had a PICC line fitted, I didn’t want to have needles going into my hand. This just saves so much time and is easier for when I am having my chemo treatment. It is basically a line that goes from my arm into one of my veins, to the edge of my heart and yes, it is permanent for the whole time I am having my treatment.
After this one round, my hair started to fall out, so I have shaved it off as I knew this was coming.
Mentally, I am positive and feel good, I am taking everything in my stride and surrounding myself with positive people. I know I will have tough days in the future, this journey is going to have its ups and downs, but I will continue to keep positive, keep a smile on my face and I will keep fighting to kick cancers a**e.
I see myself in the future. I will be healthy once again, have the all clear, and be back at Uni with my friends, continuing my studies, creating films and being a part of different film projects. I also want to get out fishing again, enjoy being outdoors and have the thrill of catching carp once again! I am missing it.
Also seeing Leeds in the Premier league again and going to the best place in the world, Elland Road, to see the best team in the land play and be with my family and my friends, who I love all so much.
Check out my appearance on BBC Radio Leeds
About Hodgkin lymphoma
It is most common between the ages of 20 to 40 and over the age of 75
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3 in 4 (75%) diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in England survive for 10+ years
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Hodgkin lymphoma is rare only 2,100 people are diagnosed in the UK each year
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What is Hodgkin lymphoma??
Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system is a system of thin tubes and lymph nodes that run throughout the body. Lymph nodes are bean shaped glands. The thin tubes are called lymph vessels or lymphatic vessels. Tissue fluid called lymph circulates around the body in these vessels and flows through the lymph nodes.
The lymph system is an important part of our immune system. It plays a role in fighting bacteria and other infections and destroying old or abnormal cells, such as cancer cells.
Hodgkin lymphoma can occur anywhere in the lymphatic system, including multiple locations simultaneously. The neck lymph nodes are commonly affected, but it can also begin in other areas such as the chest, groin, abdomen, or armpit.
What are the symptoms?
Hodgkin lymphoma often causes painless swelling in lymph nodes, typically in the neck, armpit, or groin. While lymph nodes can normally swell due to infections, they usually return to normal quickly.
In lymphoma, the nodes may grow slowly over months or years, but at times, they can rapidly increase in size.
Other general symptoms
You might have other symptoms such as:
- heavy sweating, especially at night
- high temperatures that come and go with no obvious cause, often overnight
- losing a lot of weight over a short period of time, despite eating well
- itching, which may be worse after drinking alcohol
- cough or shortness of breath
- tummy (abdominal) pain or vomiting after drinking alcohol.
How is it diagnosed?
The only way to diagnose Hodgkin lymphoma is by doing a biopsy.
This involves giving you a local anaesthetic extracting tumour cells with a needle guided by ultrasound, and checking them for signs of cancer.
How is it
Treated?
Hodgkin lymphoma is treated with chemotherapy alone or with radiotherapy. Sometimes, steroid medicine or biological medicines are used.
Treatment is effective, and most people with the condition are cured.
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