Before my diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma in September 2025, I was living a typical life of a 26-year-old. I was travelling the country for my work in clinical research, I was exercising, going on holiday, and enjoying spending time with family and friends, but I knew deep down something wasn’t right.
For at least a year before my diagnosis I had been suffering with intense itchiness all over my body, and then night sweats, fever, and fatigue in more recent months. My first doctor’s appointment for the itching was in December 2024, which led to many misdiagnoses (stress, food allergies, eczema, hives). I found this period really difficult. Like so many other young people in my situation, we present as young, fit, healthy individuals, which can unfortunately make it very difficult to achieve an accurate diagnosis.
I persisted with appointments, and eventually I was referred to a dermatologist. I then had two chest X-rays followed by a CT scan which revealed a bulky mass in my chest.
I think the word cancer is always going to hit hard, but one thing my doctor said to me that really stuck was "knowledge is power". I repeated this to myself and to friends and family so many times during the initial stages. We were finally getting some answers and the more information we knew, the closer I was to getting it sorted and feeling better, and that brought me a lot of comfort.
In the following weeks I had a biopsy, a PET scan, began the process of fertility preservation and had a Portacath fitted ready to receive chemotherapy. I think it is very easy to feel overwhelmed at this stage with little control of anything that is happening to you, so when I came across the concept of prehabilitation on Lymphoma Action’s Preparing for Treatment Service, I was glad to have found something that was actually in my control. If anyone is struggling with the lack of control in the period between diagnosis and treatment, I’d definitely recommend channelling whatever energy you can into preparing yourself mentally and physically for treatment.
For the first three cycles of treatment, I seemed to have a lucky escape from most side effects, other than hair loss. When my hair started falling out it made everything feel a lot more real. I wasn’t just going to feel like a cancer patient now; I was going to look like one too. I had said from the start that as soon as my hair started falling out, I would just bite the bullet and shave it. So, on a sunny Saturday afternoon, we decided to throw a “shaving off party” at my sister and brother-in-law’s house. We shaved it outside, with the sun on my face, my nieces playing in the garden, and my favourite snacks, drinks and songs. We somehow managed to make a very daunting experience as positive and lovely as it could possibly be. It was another attempt at trying to take control of a situation where I had very little, and although it was sad in some ways, it was liberating in others.
I have just completed my fourth cycle of chemotherapy, which is a regimen called escalated BEACOPDac. I am still keeping positive, whilst also allowing emotions to be felt as and when they come, and am taking it one day at a time. Every day of treatment means one day closer to being better. One thing I am still grateful for, even in the midst of treatment, is at least I am not so unbearably itchy anymore!