One of our youngest receptionists, Hannah, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma last year.  This is her story...

My name is Hannah, I am 22 years old.  In 2021 I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

In January, while at work, I felt something get caught under my left collarbone. I didn’t think too much about it and assumed
the lump I could feel must have been some muscle or tissue that had got caught after being in an awkward position. After a couple of weeks, the lump I felt had practically cleared, so I put it to the back of my mind and carried on without thinking about it anymore.

Fast forward 3 months and I noticed that the lump had started to grow again but this time it was getting bigger during the day. I would go to work in the morning and when I returned home, it was almost double the size.

Working in healthcare for the last 5 years has given me knowledge of what symptoms to be wary of. A large, hard, non-painful lump that was continuously growing, was sign for me to speak to my GP. So off I
went to my surgery and after an examination, it was decided that I would need blood tests and an ultrasound of the lump to see what was going on, but I was reassured by the GP that it shouldn’t be anything sinister because of my lack of other symptoms.

I rang up for the results of the blood tests and was told that they had all come back within the normal ranges. I was still concerned though, as now the lump was growing across my collarbone further and into
the front of my neck. So, I pushed for a 2 week wait referral; within in a
couple of days I was at the Ear, Nose and Throat clinic.

I will never forget the consultant sitting back in his chair- after examining the lump- and after what felt like an eternity of silence being told “I really don’t like that at all… I think we will be having
a difficult conversation at our next appointment.” 

2 days later and my mum and I were back at the hospital for a ‘one stop neck lump clinic.’ This consisted of an ultrasound, a biopsy of the lump and another consultation. The ultrasound and biopsy ended up coming back inconclusive. A further biopsy was arranged, this time a core biopsy, which took tissue from further inside the lump, alongside a blood test specific for Hodgkin Lymphoma and I would get the
results of everything in about 10 days’ time.

Just 6 days later and I had a vague phone call from the ENT receptionist, saying that they had a clinic on that day and I could attend if I wish, at any time convenient for me. Immediately I knew that my results had come back with bad news. An hour later I was sat in a clinic room with my mum, being told that I have Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

I had a feeling all along that this would be the outcome, so I accepted the news and knew I could get through it. I was more concerned for my poor parents. My mum, whose Dad had just passed away,
literally 24 hours previous and was now being told her daughter has cancer. My Dad, sat outside waiting for us to come out and having no idea what we were about to tell him.

Over the course of the next three weeks I had met my Haematology consultant, had a PET scan to determine how far advanced the cancer was and a treatment plan was in place. My treatment plan was ABVD chemotherapy for 2 cycles (4 lots of treatment,) another PET scan to confirm it was working then another 4 cycles (8 lots of treatment) but with one of the drugs taken out (if safe to do so,) to lessen the impact of the treatment on my lungs.

Things then took a little turn as I ended up being admitted into hospital for 5 days because I had lost sensation and strength in my left arm due to the lump pressing on nerves. This meant I couldn’t have the fertility treatment we had planned for, and I would have to
start my treatment two weeks earlier than planned, whilst in hospital.

The one thing I was most afraid of most was losing my hair, something that I had always taken pride in. At the point of diagnosis my hair was down to my waist. I decided to take some control in this
situation and get used to having short hair, so I cut off 14 inches of hair and donated it to the Little Princess Trust. My hair started to come out in clumps after my second dose of treatment, but I couldn’t ‘brave the shave’ until a few months after when my scalp was hurting from the hair loss. It took a while to accept having no hair but now I find a sort of joy of being able to change up my style with my different wigs and hats.

I have now been given the all clear. It has been a hard journey physically and mentally, but I am also aware of how lucky I am. I was fortunate enough that despite being on an aggressive form of treatment, my side effects weren’t too bad.

In a way I am grateful for this journey because, it has allowed me to look at life in a different, more positive and appreciative perspective and how to make the best out of a bad situation-mainly a lot of dark humour-based jokes!  Also, that I can get through anything
with a positive attitude and the incredible support I’ve had from my parents, boyfriend, family, friends, work colleagues and even the motocross community.

Lymphoma Action is the UK’s only charity dedicated to lymphoma, the fifth most common cancer. They make improvements in the diagnosis, treatment, and aftercare of lymphoma.  https://lymphoma-action.org.uk/