Content producer Georgie Swallow, who lives in London, UK, is bringing attention to Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is a component of the immune system, by sharing the symptoms she tried to ignore.
The diagnosis was made while Georgie was just 28 years old, and unfortunately, the medication caused her to go through early menopause before she could conceive.
Georgie thought going to the doctor was “wasting everyone’s time” when she first started having the symptoms, which she thought were caused by stress.
Even though she saw a lump on the side of her neck, she claims she was foolish enough to believe nothing catastrophic could happen to her.
Georgie, who is now 32, claims that both her physical and mental health were impacted by the condition.
Prior to receiving a stage 4 cancer diagnosis, her three main symptoms were overall exhaustion, nocturnal sweats, and itchy legs.
Throughout the night, I would be up itching till I broke the skin. When I went to the doctor, they said that there was no cream or lifestyle adjustment that would help her urticaria, stress, or allergies.
“I was experiencing weight loss, night sweats, constant fatigue, and an endless cycle of colds and flus during this time, but I simply believed that I was overly active and exhausting myself.”
According to Georgie, these symptoms can be relatively minor and dismissed as unrelated, which is why cancer is frequently detected later.
According to Georgie, the early stages of menopause are similar to “being hit by a bus.”
“Losing my fertility before I had the opportunity to have children was painful, but cancer can take a lot away from you.
“Although the menopause can be challenging at any age, I had no one my own age to discuss it with when I was 28.
“Despite their support, none of my friends got what I was going through, and it’s difficult to relate to and console someone you don’t understand.”
In an effort to increase awareness of the detrimental effects early menopause can have on mental health and the significance of timely doctor’s appointments, this courageous young woman is now sharing her tale.
