I was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma in May 2016.
I was holiday with my family last Easter. Whilst applying sun-lotion, I discovered a lump just above my left collarbone. I didn't give it much thought at the time, partly because I was so far from home, but did think it unusual. By the time we returned to the UK, the lump was still there and had increased in size.
I saw my GP on the week of our return; by this time I was very anxious. I had blood tests, a chest X-ray, which both came back clear. I felt relieved at this stage, and to be sure my doctor referred me to a specialist to have a fine needle aspiration, the same week.
The results proved to be inconclusive and I was referred on to an ENT specialist. I vividly remember this day, as I walked into the doctors office thinking that this would be the final part of the journey and put it all behind me. How wrong I was, for the first time throughout this process, I heard the word, Cancer. The specialist was fairly sure after examining me and assessing the results of the aspiration, there was a high chance of Lymphoma. So much so, I was booked into hospital for a full biopsy of the lump, three days later. I walked out of the doctors office, a different person. The world around me had changed!
Waiting for the results was one of the hardest things I have had to deal with. It was five days later, Friday 13th May that I received the news that I did, indeed have Hodgkin Lymphoma.
I knew very little about this disease, but very quickly it became my life, I needed to know everything about it. This is where I discovered the Lymphoma Association, which I found it to be the most informative, reliable and trustworthy source of information.
The diagnosis came as a complete shock. Good diet and plenty of exercise is of the upmost importance to me and something I take a great deal of pride in. I wrongly assumed that if I was to look after myself I may well escape the dreaded big C!
Something that I did find particularly difficult was not knowing what to tell my two daughters, Jess and Georgia. Georgia was only 3 at the time, so, much of what I was going through, thankfully escaped her, but Jess being 10, was more than aware something was wrong. I had to choose my words very carefully and for anyone that knows me, this doesn’t always come easy!
It was a couple of weeks later that I started chemotherapy, something that I was dreading but knew was necessary, to make me better. I tolerated the chemo fairly well (I continued my classes at the gym). Exercise and keeping my sense of humour kept me sane.
After finishing chemo, I had two weeks of radiotherapy. This surprisingly took its toll on me far more than I was expecting.
I am now in complete remission, which I am thankful for every single day. I always did appreciate the small things, but I walk around with my eyes wide open now and absolutely do not take anything for granted.
I have good and bad days, I struggle with worrying about the Lymphoma returning and associate every ache or pain I experience with it. I hope these feelings will ease over time. I am very lucky, I have amazing family and friends, who without their support, I’m not sure how I'd have coped. Thank you to all of you!
I desperately feel I want to give something back and turn the experience I went through last year, into a positive. For me, just because the treatment is over and I'm in remission, does not by any means, imply that my experience with cancer is over, I still struggle with coming to terms with what happened.
My sister (best friend) and I will be trekking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. For me, I think having the focus of this trip in October will help keep my mindset positive, whilst fundraising for an extremely worthwhile charity. I want to give back to this organisation, so others that get diagnosed with lymphatic cancer can also benefit from their support.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and thank you in advance for your support.

Love Sally