Natalie shares her story for Blood Cancer Awareness Month
A mum who thought she had pulled a muscle was ‘crushed’ to be diagnosed with cancer.
Natalie Rennie, 37, had no suspicions a small lump just above her collar bone was in fact a symptom of Hodgkins Lymphoma, a rare cancer affecting the lymphatic system.
But thankfully she decided to make an appointment at her GP practice, hoping to be told there was nothing to worry about.
Instead, within an hour of that initial appointment she had an appointment for a blood test, and within a week she also had an ultrasound, followed by other tests.
Natalie, who lives in Whitstable, said: “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.
“Hearing you have cancer is earth shattering and life changing. People say, oh, you are strong, but it’s okay not to feel strong.”
Natalie’s ultrasound took place at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, and revealed enlarged lymph nodes that the radiographer said needed more investigation.
She said: “My husband said it was like someone took all the air out of the room. We both knew something was wrong.
“I kept holding onto the hope that someone would say it was nothing — just a misunderstanding or something minor. But the further I progressed along the pathway, the more obvious it became that this was serious. Deep down, I think I already knew.”
A CT scan two days later showed a mass in Natalie’s chest, as well as some enlarged lymph nodes. A biopsy two days after that revealed it was Hodgkins Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.
She had three cycles of chemotherapy, with six infusions, that led to her losing her hair and needing emergency treatment for sepsis.
Natalie said: “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.
“I am forever indebted to the NHS; the haematology team have been amazing. They are caring, compassionate, and transparent with information.
“They are truly the unsung heroes. They were phenomenal.”
Natalie, who works as a programme manager for NHS Kent and Medway, is now on a patient-initiated follow-up pathway, which means she is able to contact the team if she has any concerns or new symptoms.
She said: “I have had to contact them twice and they brought me in within 24 hours for blood tests, a chest x-ray and other tests, and to discuss the results with a doctor.
“It works really well for me and I like the reassurance I will be seen immediately if I am worried.
“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.”
Natalie particularly praised the team at the Cathedral Day Unit at the Kent and Canterbury Hospital where she had chemotherapy, as well as haematology consultant Dr Moya Young. She also wanted to thank nurses Michelle Bevans, Steph Goodchild, and Francesca Farrer, and respiratory consultant Dr Dionyssios Malamis.
She said: “I am in awe of these individuals who all had a part to play. My experience has been gold standard.
“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. If you notice any unusual or persistent symptoms, it’s important to seek medical advice.”