My Blog For The Royal Marsden this #Worldcancerday

Royal Marsden Blog - World Cancer Day

#IAMANDIWILL

I Am Georgie and I Will Raise Awareness. I am a 26-year-old cancer patient with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I will be sharing my experience through a blog on the treatment I receive at The Royal Marsden to raise the awareness of the symptoms of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. #IAmAndIWill

In the spirit of World Cancer Day who promote ‘whoever you are, you have the power to reduce the impact of cancer for yourself, the people you love and for the world,’ I am writing this blog to raise awareness of the symptoms of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and the treatment I have received at The Royal Marsden. I want to harness the individual power I hold and share my experience now in hope that it makes a positive impact on the future.

Before being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (HL), I had never even heard of this string of cancer let alone any of the symptoms to look out for. By the time I was diagnosed with Stage 4 HL it had spread to both sides of my neck, both sides of my chest, under my diaphragm and in my left lung. I had strong flu-like symptoms, dramatic weight loss over a short period of time, night sweats, fatigue, itching, bruised easily, joint pain, repeated infections and a plum sized lump in my neck. For the best part of a year I experienced most of these symptoms but passed them off as other ailments. I thought my tiredness was due to overstretching myself, any colds/ coughs I saw as a normal common cold and I went to the doctor multiple times for the itching and was treated for eczema, urticaria and hives. Around 1,700 people are diagnosed with HL every year in the UK and is most common in people who are between 20 – 34 years old and over 70. With this being such a common cancer in young adults, we should all be educated more and raise the awareness on the common symptoms.

Naturally hearing the news, ‘you have stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma’ at 26 was quite frightening however my main source of calm was knowing I was going to be treated at The Royal Marsden. At every step I have been totally blown away by the staff, quality of treatment and outstanding care. I have received multiple blood tests, a variety of scans, 3 operations, consultations with my Professor and doctors along with my intensive chemotherapy treatment and have never failed to be impressed my every member of the team and felt so confident that I am in the best possible hands out there. The Royal Marsden is a world-leading cancer centre that develops life-saving treatments and ground-breaking research that create the best patient treatment and environment. It is because of this that I am able to receive a ‘drug of the future’ as part of my chemotherapy which has less long-term effects and a higher success rate.

At the beginning of my treatment my father said to me, ‘it is because of individuals who fundraised in the past, you are able to receive the care you do.’ This struck a real chord with me. Needless to say, going through cancer treatment not only affects you physical but can cause mental health issues as well. I experienced this quite dramatically towards the start of my treatment until I found that focussing my energy on fundraising for The Royal Marsden really gave me a sense of motivation and purpose.  It made me see a truly positive side of this experience knowing that I can contribute to someone after me receiving this outstanding level of care and the development of life saving treatments.  Whether it has been bake sales, Christmas raffles, planning a 26 mile walk or attending my final chemotherapy treatment in fancy dress, finding the fun and positivity has been vital for me.

If we are able to talk openly about our personal experience with cancer and our care it will make a huge difference in understanding and reducing the fear. World Cancer Day is all about raising awareness and using our voices to inspire change. 

If you are feeling inspired and would like to be a part of the change we want to see following World Cancer Day, please do follow the link to see how you can support The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.