Natalie went to the doctors and was shocked to find out what was wrong with her
A mum who went to the GP to get what she thought was a pulled muscle was stunned to discover she actually had a rare form of cancer. Now, she’s urging others not to dismiss small warning signs, as you can never be too sure they aren’t actually major health issues.
Natalie Rennie’s doctor spotted a tiny lump on her collarbone during the routine appointment and decided to carry out some tests. The 37-year-old was sent to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, in Kent, where medics found she had swollen lymph nodes.
Additional tests found that Natalie was suffering from Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer that targets the lymphatic system, reports Kent Live. She has undergone three rounds of chemotherapy, involving six treatments, which resulted in hair loss and required urgent care for sepsis.
Natalie, from Whitstable, is keen for people not to delay getting medical advice if they spot any strange symptoms, in the hope they might detect similar illnesses early. She said: “I thought I had pulled a muscle. I assumed it was nothing, but decided to make an appointment just to be sure.
“I think we all have moments where we notice something a bit off, and the thought of cancer briefly crosses our mind. But this wasn’t one of those times – especially since I’d been feeling completely well in myself.
“I kept clinging to the hope that someone would tell me it was nothing – just a misunderstanding or something trivial. But the further I went along the pathway, the more apparent it became that this was serious. Deep down, I think I already knew. My husband said it was like someone took all the air out of the room. We both knew something was wrong.”
A CT scan showed a mass in Natalie’s chest, along with some swollen lymph nodes, and a biopsy two days later confirmed it was Hodgkins Lymphoma. The rare cancer develops in the lymphatic system, which is a network of vessels and glands distributed throughout the body.
She added: “Hearing you have cancer is earth-shattering and life-changing. People say, ‘Oh, you are strong’, but it’s okay not to feel strong. It was pretty tough, but I am four months out of chemotherapy now and getting stronger each day. I would say there is a new normal now, and you learn what you can do. You have to be kind to yourself.”
Natalie, who works as a programme manager for NHS Kent and Medway, said she is “forever indebted to the NHS”. She continued: “I have two young children and I want to stay healthy for them, so I am quite vigilant when it comes to my health and I think that went in my favour.
“If I had waited and ignored that first lump, the cancer would have progressed. It is always easier to treat when it is at an earlier stage, and mine was stage two.
“Hodgkins Lymphoma is one of the more treatable cancers and that gave me hope and the courage to fight. Two of my friends were diagnosed with cancer at around the same time as I was, so I would say you are never too young to have cancer.”
The NHS has lots of information and guidance for people who believe they may have the symptoms of cancer. Having any these symptoms does not definitely mean you have cancer, but it’s important to get checked by a GP.