In August of this year I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma, but I suppose my symptoms had been manifesting themselves for quite a few months beforehand.
Over the course of a few months, I’d started losing weight, feeling fatigued, and also very nauseous. The sickness could come at any moment, either after a meal, randomly in the morning, or even straight after a game of 5-a-side football. I’d also noticed a small lump, later identified as a lymph node, just above my right collar bone.
I saw the GP, was told that I was anaemic, and was also given an appointment to investigate this lump. Fast forward to July (and the Euro 2020 hysteria) and I tested positive for covid-19, which brought with it a never-ending dry cough, constant fevers, and even more nausea.
The fevers became hard to manage at home, and due to an underlying respiratory condition and immunodeficiency, I eventually sought out the A&E. The doctors were 50/50 about admitting me, but after a nudge from my brother, who is himself a doctor, they decided to bring me onto a covid ward for investigation.
The doctors were keen to treat the covid and chest infection that I’d developed, but decided that the GP should look at the other issues (nausea, weight loss and fevers). I was almost discharged twice more, but after some further nudges yet again from my brother, I was finally taken in for a CT scan.
The scan of course showed indications of enlarged lymph nodes above and below the diaphragm, and this was later confirmed with a biopsy from the spleen.
The fact that I was testing positive for covid throughout delayed my treatment somewhat, but I’m pleased to say that this is now finally underway. I’ve now had my first of 12 doses of chemotherapy. So far so good!
Follow Daanyaal and his lymphoma story through his online blog – https://danshiddenjotter.com/
