For around a year, my skin was so itchy I would scratch it until I bled – even then, I never managed to satisfy the feeling, and it would often keep me awake at night. It never crossed my mind that it could be a symptom of a life-threatening illness.
At the same time, I was feeling tired, losing weight, sweating at night, and always coming down with a cold or flu. It was only when I found a lump on my neck that I thought it might be something serious.
I often couldn’t take a full breath in – this was because a tumour in my chest was about 30 centimetres – but I’d just assumed that it was probably down to something like glandular fever.
Consultants usually tell patients their diagnoses in person, so when the doctor said over the phone in September 2018, ‘You’ve got cancer’, it was clear time wasn’t on our side.
‘It’s stage 4 Hodgkin Lymphoma in the neck, lung, chest and under the diaphragm. If you’d come to us about a week later, we wouldn’t have been able to do anything for you,’ he added.
The diagnosis left me dumbstruck, like I’d been hit with a freight train. How did this happen? I was only 26.
After I put the phone down to my doctor, I said to my mum and dad, ‘Can you take me to the hospital because I’ve got cancer?’ It was completely unexpected for them, but we didn’t have the space to think about it; I just had to get started on treatment.
24 hours later, I began chemotherapy. I was able to stay surprisingly positive during the six months of treatment and tried to have a lot of fun. I’d fundraise, have chemo parties, and whenever I went out, I was always silly about being bald.
When I finally got the all-clear a few months later, I couldn’t wait to enjoy my life again.
Why can be itchy skin a sign of Hodgkin Lymphoma?
‘Skin irritations and problems such as dry, sore and itchy skin can be a symptom of lymphoma,’ the Lymphoma Action charity explains.
‘Scientists think that itching as a symptom of lymphoma might develop because of cytokines. These are proteins released by your immune system when your body is fighting an infection or an illness, like lymphoma. It’s thought that cytokines cause itching by irritating the nerves in your skin.
‘Skin problems often start to go away once treatment for lymphoma starts.’
Itchy skin is not always a sign of anything serious. You can often treat it yourself, and it will usually go away after a few weeks, but see a GP if you’re worried or the problem persists.
A step backwards
My parents and I were so confident I would be fine when I went for a routine check-up scan in June 2019 that we dressed up nicely for a celebratory lunch afterwards.
Then the doctor told me: ‘I’m afraid it’s back.’
It was shocking news, but we kept our restaurant reservation as I’d already learnt that you must enjoy life whenever you can. I knew I might not be well enough to go out soon. I enjoyed a few drinks and saw Jude Law, so that was fun!
The severity of my new cancer meant I needed a stem cell transplant, which replaces damaged or diseased blood-forming cells with healthy ones. When I had it in October 2019, I couldn’t leave the hospital – even to go outside – for nearly five weeks. I was also more unwell and didn’t have any energy to make it a fun experience, like last time.
When it came to shaving my head again, I remember my mum’s tearful face in the corner of the bathroom, and snapping at her because I didn’t want to see or feel any emotion.
In some ways, my illness was even harder for my parents. Some days, I was in so much pain it felt like there were little shards of glass floating around my body, and all they could do was sit and watch. Their lives were put on hold every day, not knowing if their daughter would make it.
Going through the menopause
Three months after my stem cell transplant, I had a scan which showed the cancer had gone. My procedure meant that my chances of having kids became around 0.1%, but I had no choice – what’s the point in being fertile if I wasn’t going to be alive?
However, when I started feeling better, reality hit. I always wanted to be a mum, and began grieving for the kids I’ll never get to have.
The transplant also put me through menopause at just 29, which was tough as the doctors didn’t explain it to me, and I didn’t realise what was happening.
At first, I thought I was having a mental breakdown. My emotions were all over the place, my anxiety was crazy, and I was so low. I was also suffering from night sweats, sore joints and brain fog. Once I put my iron in the fridge.
I was lucky to have a therapist who helped me through these life changes and eventually made the connection for me.
I was put back on the pill for oestrogen, but it was suggested I come off because I had strokes. The pill can lead to an increased risk of blood clots and further strokes.
So now, age 32, I’ve been hit by another wave of menopause symptoms, which can be difficult because none of my friends are at this stage and, as lovely and supportive as they are, they don’t entirely understand it.
A new chapter
A few months after the stem cell transplant, I went back to my job as an executive assistant at a recruitment company. They’d been so brilliant with me while I was ill, but in the end, I left so I could concentrate on my social media.
I’d used it as a way to let people know how I was getting on with the diagnosis and treatment, but I also wanted to share my experience in case it could help someone else feel less alone.
I hadn’t known anyone my age who had been sick, so I had no one I could ask about little things, such as how to tie a headscarf or protect my nails in chemo, or talk about the big stuff, like fears. I wanted to change that and now I have nearly 100k followers and the most wonderful community who are all kind, empowering, encouraging and understanding.
It’s also spurred me to start my own business, Life’s for Living, a travel company that takes women on adventure trips. Everyone’s there for a reason, whether they’ve had a health issue, they’re going through a divorce, they’ve struggled mentally, or they’ve been feeling insecure in their bodies. It’s so incredible to bring everyone together. We bond, and it becomes beautiful.
Having cancer means time feels like a precious thing, and now I want to do as much as I can. But my mum reminds me I can say ‘no’ sometimes. For a while, I’d give a panicked yes to everything and get burned out.
It sounds cheesy, but I’ve realised that saying yes isn’t just for the big things. I used to only light candles for nice occasions, but now I light them whenever I want. It’s not feasible to have some big bucket list trip every day, so I try to remind people it’s about the little things too.
Last year, I had a party to raise money for The Royal Marsden Hospital and celebrate being five years cancer-free.
What most people didn’t know was that I was still waiting to find out if it had come back, after an inconclusive scan. I felt as if I was cheating by celebrating, so I’ve never felt such relief when I got the all clear.
I never like to thank cancer for stuff, because I don’t think it deserves the credit, but I also know that without it, I wouldn’t be who I am now.
You can follow Georgie Swallow on Instagram here.
As told to Josie Copson
What is Hodgkin Lymphoma?
Hodgkin lymphoma is an uncommon cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, which is a network of vessels and glands spread throughout your body. It can develop at any age, but it mostly affects people aged between 20-40 and those over 75.
Around 2,100 people are diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in the UK each year. The most common symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is a painless swelling in a lymph node, usually in the neck, armpit or groin.
Around 8 out of 10 people with Hodgkin lymphoma live at least 5 years, and most of these will be cured. However, there’s a risk of long-term problems after treatment, including infertility and an increased risk of developing another type of cancer in the future.
Information taken from the NHS website
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