GP Dismissed My Cancer Fears at 24 - Weeks Later, I Had Hodgkin Lymphoma Diagnosis
Kelly Underwood, a 24-year-old educator from Birmingham, experienced a medical journey that began with dismissal and ended with a life-altering cancer diagnosis. Her story highlights the critical importance of patient advocacy and persistence in healthcare settings.
Symptoms Initially Dismissed by Medical Professionals
Kelly's health concerns began in February 2025 when she noticed persistent tiredness, sore eyes, and unusual rashes on her knuckles. By June, she discovered a concerning lump in her neck, prompting her partner Olivia Read, 28, to encourage seeking medical advice.
A GP confirmed the swollen lymph node but couldn't determine its cause, suggesting Kelly monitor it for a week and return if conditions didn't improve. What followed was three months of frustration as Kelly visited her GP surgery six times, with multiple medical professionals unable to provide answers.
The Moment of Dismissal That Proved Costly
After receiving concerning blood results showing abnormal iron levels and raised inflammatory markers, Kelly and Olivia researched her symptoms online. When Kelly asked a doctor if cancer could be a possibility, she claims the response was laughter and dismissal.
"They laughed at us and said there was no way it was cancer," Kelly recalled. "I actually felt reassured about that at the time and thought I should just believe what they were saying."
The Devastating Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Despite the initial dismissal, doctors eventually referred Kelly for a biopsy, CT scan, and ultrasound as her symptoms worsened. On September 8, 2025, she received the news that would change her life forever.
"I'm really sorry to tell you but you've got cancer," the doctor revealed. Kelly described the moment as surreal: "The first time she said that word, I thought I hadn't heard it right. I just burst out into tears."
The diagnosis was classic Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer with generally good prognosis but requiring immediate, intensive treatment. Doctors expressed particular concern about a lymph node pressing against her windpipe that could obstruct breathing.
Intensive Treatment and Emotional Support
Kelly began an "escalated BEACOPDac" chemotherapy regimen in late September - a 21-day cycle repeated six times that included hospital stays, filgrastim injections to stimulate white blood cell production, and steroids.
The treatment took a significant physical and emotional toll. Kelly lost her hair after the first round and experienced bone marrow pain from injections, while describing her mental health as a "rollercoaster" throughout the process.
Love and Support Through the Journey
Amid the medical crisis, Kelly and Olivia strengthened their bond through mutual proposals. Kelly proposed to Olivia in a Costa drive-through just before hospital admission, while Olivia reciprocated with a romantic trail-lit proposal in Sutton Park during Kelly's treatment.
The Teenage Cancer Trust provided crucial support through youth support coordinator Cathy, who helped distract Kelly during chemotherapy sessions with card games and conversations about favorite books.
Looking Toward Recovery and Advocacy
Kelly completed her final chemotherapy round on January 14 and now awaits a PET scan in late February to check for remaining cancer cells. She has an appointment booked for early March where she hopes to receive the all-clear.
Reflecting on her experience, Kelly emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy: "I think people need to advocate for themselves with doctors if they're not being referred properly. We all think that it's never going to be us, but it could be."
She also highlights awareness gaps: "You get told about checking your boobs, but you don't get told about checking your neck."
The couple now looks forward to celebrating their engagement with family and planning a wedding within two years, having navigated one of life's most challenging journeys together.
