Healthy young womans flu-like symptoms turned out to be cancer

05/06/2023

Cancer Research UK provide details on lymphoma

Aussie Olivia Jennings, 20, believed she had the flu but, as the symptoms lingered and progressed, she knew she needed to see a doctor.

Originally diagnosed with a UTI (urinary tract infection), the medical label didn’t sit right with Olivia.

She had a cough that didn’t go away, and a lump had developed above her collarbone.

The next morning, having woken up in a cold sweat, Olivia decided to go to a private hospital.

The doctor pushed for Olivia to have an ultrasound, which came back clear, and a CT scan.

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by @liv.grace_j

That was when the healthy 20-year-old, who never smoked and barely drank alcohol, received the terrible news.

“[The doctor] said I don’t have a kidney stone, but I have swollen lymph nodes all throughout my stomach and fluid on my heart,” Olivia told the Daily Mail.

“It was in complete shock – when he mentioned my heart I thought, ‘That’s it for me. I’m going to die.’

“At that point, the doctors were pretty sure it was cancer.”

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by @liv.grace_j

Don’t miss…
Six ‘early symptoms’ of liver disease and you don’t have to be a binge drinker[SYMPTOMS]
Expert’s top tips to sleep better during humid weather including wet sheets[EXPERT]
Dietitian recommends five of the best breakfasts to reduce cholesterol[DIET]

Olivia spent another week undergoing further tests, including a biopsy, which confirmed the cancer was in her neck, chest, stomach, and pelvis.

On January 25, 2023, Olivia was diagnosed with stage 3B Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Cancer Research UK explains: “Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer that starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes.”

The most common symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is a painless swelling in a lymph node.

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

View this post on Instagram
A post shared by @liv.grace_j

Symptoms can include:

Heavy sweating, especially at night
High temperatures that come and go with no obvious cause, often overnight
Losing a lot of weight over a short period of time, despite eating well
Itching, which may be worse after drinking alcohol
Cough or shortness of breath
Tummy (abdominal) pain or vomiting after drinking alcohol.

“It was a strange feeling,” Olivia said, reflecting back on her life-altering diagnosis.

Within the following week, Olivia started her rounds of chemotherapy.

Talking about her condition, she said: “It’s just one of those cancers where your body just messes up.”

Source: Read Full Article