Shaving rash was cancer
I had no idea the blotchy spots were a sinister sign
Catching sight of a few blotchy, pink spots on my calves, I frowned. It was May last
year, and I assumed it was just a shaving rash.
But, over the next few weeks, the spots spread up my legs.
‘I’ve never had this before,’ I told my mum Donna, 50.
Worried about meningitis, I went to an out-of-hours doctor, who told me to take ibuprofen and come back if it didn’t clear.
Days on, my legs and feet began to swell. The pain was unbearable. My legs throbbed, the rash was red, and my feet were too swollen for shoes.
My GP referred me to a specialist. But, with a 14-week wait, I paid to go private. The doctor diagnosed vasculitis – inflammation of the blood vessels – and, eventually, I was prescribed steroids.
Over the next few months, the swelling subsided. The rash was still prominent, but I hoped it’d clear up on its own.
But then, last October, I developed severe back pain.
Worried, I went to A&E at County Hospital, Stafford. Doctors ordered tests, scans and a chest X-ray. Then, days later, I was asked to go back…
‘We’ve found something,’ I was told during the phone call.
I thought it’d be an infection. But, at the hospital, staff kept asking if had anyone else with me. Worried, I phoned Mum.
When she arrived, we were led to a quiet room.
‘I’m afraid we’ve found a mass on your chest,’ said a consultant.
My mind went blank, and my body felt numb. ‘What does this mean?’ Mum sobbed, breaking down.
Doctors performed a biopsy. And, weeks on, they had news…
‘You have Hodgkin lymphoma,’ the doctor said.
It’s an uncommon cancer of the lymphatic system, and the rash was a rare symptom. It usually causes lumps in armpits or the groin area.
I was stunned. The word ‘cancer’ kept echoing in my head.
Doctors explained my tumour
was about 8.5cm in size. But they reassured me that Hodgkin lymphoma is often treated successfully with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Only, after an appointment with an oncologist, I had some concerns about side-effects, which can include infertility.
‘Are there other treatments we can try first?’ I begged.
With my doctor’s consent, I decided to delay chemo.
I changed my diet, ditching alcohol, greasy food and meat, and taking supplements.
A month later, a scan showed my tumour had shrunk by a centimetre. And, by then, my rash had cleared up, too.
Amazed, doctors agreed to let me delay chemo for a bit longer.
I still have monthly scans, which show my tumour hasn’t changed. So, for now, I’m being monitored.
I’m very lucky I was diagnosed when I was.
I urge anyone with unusual symptoms to get them checked out Don’t leave it until it’s too late.
Hodgkin lymphoma is often treated successfully