A young woman from Essex has revealed how she was repeatedly told she had a chest infection for nine months, only to discover her debilitating symptoms were actually caused by an aggressive stage four blood cancer.
A Fit Gym-Goer's Sudden Decline
Sophie Zenonos, a 28-year-old marketing officer from near Basildon, first began feeling unwell in October 2019. An active person who worked out at the gym three times a week, she was alarmed by a persistent cough, overwhelming fatigue, and severe shortness of breath. "I couldn't walk up a flight of stairs without needing to stop and take a minute," Sophie explained, highlighting how unusual this was for her fitness level.
She visited her GP and attended A&E twice over the following months. Each time, she says she was 'fobbed off' with antibiotics and a diagnosis of a chest infection. Despite her symptoms worsening dramatically, no further investigations were initially pursued.
The Crisis That Forced a Diagnosis
By June 2020, Sophie's condition had become critical. She suffered a coughing fit so severe that she turned blue, prompting immediate action. "My mum was like 'we need to get this sorted now'," she recalled. This frightening episode finally led to a chest x-ray.
The scan revealed a shocking truth: a massive tumour measuring 15cm by 11cm (six inches by four inches) in her chest. Sophie was diagnosed with stage four Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. "It all just went from zero to one hundred after that," she said, describing her rapid transfer to a specialist London hospital.
Sophie expressed deep frustration at the delayed diagnosis. "I was frustrated that it had taken so long... a lot of anger did build up," she admitted, though she also felt relief at finally having an answer.
Clearance and a Second Cancer Battle
Between June and December 2020, Sophie endured six rounds of chemotherapy and 20 sessions of radiotherapy. Her treatment was successful, and she received the all-clear for blood cancer in May 2021.
Tragically, her health struggles were not over. At the end of 2023, after noticing swollen lymph nodes in her neck, Sophie received another devastating diagnosis: thyroid cancer. She underwent surgery in February 2024 to remove her thyroid and affected lymph nodes. Some cancerous cells remain, currently stable, with doctors planning her next steps.
A Vital Message to Others
Now battling the long-term impact of her late diagnosis, Sophie is urging others to advocate for their health. "You've got to persevere with it," she insists. Her key advice is for anyone, especially younger people who may appear healthy, to trust their instincts.
"If you've got that gut feeling that something could be wrong then you've got to seek that second opinion and persevere," she said. "Obviously the sooner you get diagnosed the better the outcome. I got diagnosed so late and now my quality of life isn't the greatest."
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma often presents with a painless swelling in a lymph node, but symptoms like persistent cough, fatigue, and night sweats can also occur. Sophie's story underscores the critical importance of persistent investigation when symptoms do not resolve with initial treatment.
