I was 21 years old when I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma. My extreme fatigue was missed by my GP and kept diagnosing me with tonsillitis. I came back from Africa and my hairdresser noticed a big lump in my neck.
I went to A&E numerous time and was diagnosed with a bite from Africa, mumps and also serve case of tonsillitis I was seen by an ENT specialist who diagnosed it as a cyst. It took over two months from first noticing the lump to being diagnosed with Hodgkins.
As I was young, cancer was never ever mentioned by any of the doctors I came across!
I was diagnosed with stage one; I had my tonsils removed, 2 rounds of ABVD and 10 sessions of radiotherapy. I was luckily moved to a Teenage Cancer Trust ward which was a life line for my mental wellbeing! I lost the majority of my hair, eyebrows and lashes but chose often not to wear wigs. I had a lot of nasty comments from people in public about my hair which knocked my confidence and led to anxiety issues.
Since finishing treatment I have completing my teacher training and now a Maths teacher.
