Mom finds out pulled muscle is rare cancer

By Isobel Williams

A mom who went to the doctors to check out a pulled muscle was shocked to find out she had a rare type of cancer.

Natalie Rennie's GP noticed a small lump on her collarbone during the routine visit, and decided to run some tests.

The 37-year-old was then referred to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent, where it was discovered she had enlarged lymph nodes.

Further checks were run - before Natalie was told she had Hodgkin lymphoma, a rare cancer affecting the lymphatic system.

She has since had three cycles of chemotherapy, with six infusions, that led to her losing her hair and needing emergency treatment for sepsis.

And Natalie, from Whitstable, is now warning others to get checked when they notice any unusual symptoms, so that they can catch similar conditions in the early stages.

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 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.

“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, as well as some enlarged lymph nodes, and a biopsy two days after that revealed it was Hodgkins Lymphoma.

The rare cancer develops in the lymphatic system, which is a network of vessels and glands spread 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.

“I am forever indebted to the NHS; the haematology team have been amazing. They are truly the unsung heroes. They were phenomenal.”

Natalie, who works as a program 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.

She said: “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. If you notice any unusual or persistent symptoms, it’s important to seek medical advice.”