A newly wed has told how she found out she had cancer a day before her 28th birthday after finding a lump on her neck.
Courtney Wilson-Calder, from Leeds, was diagnosed with hodgkin lymphoma in August and is now trying to raise awareness for the cancer she says is difficult to detect, reported LeedsLive.
She said that it was only after she went to seek medical advice for a second lump that it was diagnosed.
While planning her wedding, Courtney first noticed a lump and went on to marry her partner after a biopsy revealed no cancer cells.
But she then found another lump and when she received the call that her test results had come through, on August 18, she found out she had lymphoma just a day before her 28th birthday.
Courtney is now raising money and awareness of her cancer with a fundraiser on September 11. She published a video on TikTok that has gone viral and so far over £4,000 has been donated to her JustGiving page.
"Lymphoma symptoms can be hard to diagnose and recognize. I first found a lump in my neck in March but the doctor thought it was a swollen lymph node. When it grew and became painful, I went to see a specialist who told me it could be cancer," said Courtney.
“I spent time away from work with loved ones who helped me come to terms with what I could be facing. I spoke to my fiancé and I decided I wanted to get married before I started any treatment.
"After planning a wedding in five weeks, I was told my biopsy had no cancer cells. I relaxed, my friends planned me a hen do and I was so happy and relieved.
"I married the man of my dreams but we didn’t expect what was coming next. I found another lump and after another biopsy, I got a call to go to the hospital for my results a week earlier than expected.
"I was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma the day before my 28th Birthday.”
Sarah Thorn, Community and Partnerships Manager at Lymphoma Action said: "Everyone at Lymphoma Action is thinking of Courtney and wishing her the very best with her treatment.
"We want to say a huge thank you to her for so bravely raising awareness of lymphoma and fundraising for us, especially when she has only just received her diagnosis,” says Sarah Thorn, Community and Partnerships Manager at Lymphoma Action.
"In the UK, 53 people a day receive a lymphoma diagnosis making it the most common blood cancer. Our vision is to ensure nobody has to face lymphoma alone and with amazing people supporting us like this we can move closer to achieving that.”
