Karen Davy is now wheelchair bound even though her stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma cancer is on remission (Pic credit: SWNS/iStock)
A 54-year-old British woman, who repeatedly went to the doctor to find the cause behind her tingly toes, has now been left wheelchair-bound for life after her issues were blamed on a gardening injury. Later, it turned out to be signs of cancer, which has robbed Karen Davy of her ability to walk.
Karen has stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with a tumour wrapped around her spinal cord.
According to Karen, last year, she suddenly started to feel more tired and achy than usual. Along with that came other symptoms like hot flashes, loss of appetite, and weight loss, which she thought were due to menopause. “I had no idea that hot flushes would lead to all this,” Karen told The Sun. However, soon after, she started having kidney pain, which became chronic in no time.
She then visited the doctor as the backache got worse, who told her it may have been due to her non-stop gardening activity. However, over the next two months, her symptoms only worsened. While she stopped eating, Karen lost a lot of weight and eventually lost all sensation in her legs, along with no function in her bladder and bowel.
Diagnosed with stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma
After a detailed investigation and long hospital stay, she was diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkin lymphoma – a group of blood cancers that affect your lymphatic system and immune system – characterised by the uncontrolled growth of white blood cells.
She underwent a round of radiotherapy along with six rounds of chemotherapy and, as of now, is in remission, but her tumour has had life-changing effects. Doctors say that because of the spinal cord issues it led to, Karen cannot walk and will always have to use a wheelchair for movement. “I’d gone from somebody who was quite active before. I’d do a lot of hiking across the moors; I used to go cold water swimming all year round,” she said.
“This isn’t what I’m supposed to be doing at this time of life. I’ve not yet been able to get back to driving or anything like that,” Karen added.
What is non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Experts say non-Hodgkin lymphoma starts in the lymph nodes or other parts of the lymphatic system, and you can get it just about anywhere in your body, as the lymphatic system runs through your whole body.
It most often starts in the lymph nodes and can affect several groups of lymph nodes around your body. According to experts, non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the eighth most common cancer diagnosis, with nearly a lakh cases diagnosed across the world.
What causes non-Hodgkin lymphoma?
Doctors say non-Hodgkin lymphomas form when your body starts producing too many lymphocytes, which include B cells, T cells, or even natural killer cells. Acquired genetic mutations play a part in the process, which means you may develop the changes during your lifetime instead of being born with them. When lymphocytes mutate, they multiply and eventually become tumours.
There are several risk factors linked to non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a few of which include:
If you are over 60 years of age You are a white male Having an immune system deficiency Suffering from autoimmune diseases like inflammatory bowel disease or rheumatoid arthritis Chronic infections , which can be due to bacteria or viruses Exposure to pesticides can increase the risk of this cancer Your risk may be greater if you have a parent, sibling, or child with lymphoma or other blood cancer. Signs and symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Apart from swollen lymph nodes, a few signs and symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma include:
Persistent fatigue and tiredness Chest pain Cough Breathlessness Belly pain Feeling full even when you haven’t eaten much Unexplained and high fever Drenching night sweats Weight loss without trying
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