A young woman who was treated for suspected scabies knew something was wrong when she began suffering from night sweats.
April Grierson, from Belle Vale, began to suffer from night sweats during the pandemic lockdown and noticed her skin became increasingly itchy. But after unsuccessful treatment for suspected scabies, she noticed a lump on her neck that she knew had to be connected.
The now 21-year-old went for tests that same day before she was given her life-changing diagnosis. She said: "As soon as I noticed the lump on my neck and that it was growing, I knew that my other symptoms were more than initially thought.
READ MORE: Builders move in as well-know 'eyesore' landmark ripped down
"I was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma the same day as going for further tests and as soon as they said that my boyfriend could come into the hospital, which wasn’t allowed at the time due to Covid, I knew it was bad news."
The make-up artist underwent IVF egg retrieval at Liverpool Women’s Hospital before starting chemotherapy which could affect her future fertility. But after a rare side effect of the fertility treatment, fluid began to collect on her lungs and she was forced to spend two weeks in hospital.
She added: "It was quite a rocky journey before even beginning my chemotherapy treatment but I was determined to stay positive which I think definitely helped. I knew my own strength and knew I could get through it.
"If I had to watch my now fiancé, family or friends go through it, I don’t think I would’ve coped so well. Everyone at the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre was amazing, they were so supportive and understanding every step of the way."
Since sharing her journey on social media platform TikTik, April's videos have gone viral as she hoped to help those going through similar. She has since undergone 12 cycles of chemotherapy on the Teenage and Young Adult Unit in he Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, which provides care for around 100 young people between the ages of 16 and 24 every year.
The 21-year-old said: "When I first started documenting my journey online, I never expected to receive the response I did. I got about five million views and thousands of likes for my first video. I had to turn all my notifications off as I couldn’t keep up! It was strange but nice in a way to be able to share my experience and hopefully help other people going through similar."
The TYA unit gives young people the opportunity to get to know one another with communal social spaces, peer-to-peer support and group events. You can find out more about April's journey via the Clatterbridge Centre's social media here.
Professor Nagesh Kalakonda, Consultant Haemato-Oncologist at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust, added: "Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a fairly rare form of blood cancer that commonly affects lymph nodes. It affects people between the age of 15 and 35 and often presents with prominent lymph nodes, unintentional weight loss, night sweats, persistent itching and breathing problems.
"April presented with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and was treated at the TYA unit in our new hospital in Liverpool. Our TYA service provides clinical and much needed psychosocial support to patients between the ages of 16 and 24. Treatment for Hodgkin Lymphoma in this age group is highly effective with chemotherapy leading to cures, though the treatment is not without side effects that need careful management.
"To her credit, April was always incredibly positive throughout her treatment and I know has inspired many others across the world by sharing her journey. We all wish her the best in her continued recovery and rehabilitation into life and society."
READ NEXT:
Gang linked to Olivia shooting had 'bad reputation' before murder
Fury as university staff 'forced to cross picket' during strike action
Anthony Walker killer Michael Barton to be freed from prison after 17 years
Gogglebox Giles Wood's secret job which earns lots of money as he 'retired aged 21'
