{"id":206497,"date":"2025-06-23T01:37:25","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T01:37:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/206497\/"},"modified":"2025-06-23T01:37:25","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T01:37:25","slug":"i-had-no-idea-my-itchy-skin-meant-i-had-a-deadly-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/206497\/","title":{"rendered":"‘I had no idea my itchy skin meant I had a deadly disease’"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Georgie
\n\t\tGeorgie Swallow was 26 when she was diagnosed with cancer (Picture: Caters)<\/p>\n

For around a year, my skin was so itchy I would scratch it until I bled \u2013 even then, I never managed to satisfy the feeling, and it would often keep me awake at night.\u00a0It never crossed my mind that it could be a symptom of a life-threatening illness<\/a>.<\/p>\n

At the same time, I was feeling tired, losing weight, sweating at night, and always coming down with a cold or flu. It was only when I found a lump on my neck that I thought it might be something serious. <\/p>\n

I often couldn\u2019t take a full breath in \u2013 this was because a tumour in my chest was about 30 centimetres \u2013 but I\u2019d just assumed that it was probably down to something like glandular fever.<\/p>\n

Consultants usually tell patients their diagnoses in person, so when the doctor said over the phone<\/a> in September 2018, \u2018You\u2019ve got cancer\u2019, it was clear time wasn\u2019t on our side.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s stage 4 Hodgkin Lymphoma in the neck, lung, chest and under the diaphragm. If you\u2019d come to us about a week later, we wouldn\u2019t have been able to do anything for you,\u2019 he added.<\/p>\n

The diagnosis left me dumbstruck, like I\u2019d been hit with a freight train. How did this happen? I was only 26.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Georgie
\n\t\tThe symptoms were initially confusing for Georgie (Picture: Instagram\/Georgie Swallow)<\/p>\n

After I put the phone down to my doctor, I said to my mum and dad, \u2018Can you take me to the hospital because I\u2019ve got cancer?\u2019 It was completely unexpected for them, but we didn\u2019t have the space to think about it; I just had to get started on treatment.<\/p>\n

24 hours later, I began chemotherapy. I was able to stay surprisingly positive during the six months of treatment and tried to have a lot of fun. I\u2019d fundraise, have chemo parties, and whenever I went out, I was always silly about being bald.<\/p>\n

When I finally got the all-clear a few months later, I couldn\u2019t wait to enjoy my life again.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tWhy can be itchy skin a sign of Hodgkin Lymphoma?\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\u2018Skin irritations and problems such as dry, sore and itchy skin can be a symptom of lymphoma,\u2019 the Lymphoma Action charity explains.<\/p>\n

\u2018Scientists think that itching as a symptom of lymphoma might develop because of cytokines. These are proteins released by your\u00a0immune system<\/a>\u00a0when your body is fighting an\u00a0infection<\/a>\u00a0or an illness, like lymphoma. It\u2019s thought that cytokines cause itching by irritating the nerves in your skin.<\/p>\n

\u2018Skin problems often start to go away once treatment for lymphoma starts.\u2019<\/p>\n

Itchy skin is not always a sign of anything serious. You can often treat it yourself, and it will usually go away after a few weeks, but see a GP if you\u2019re worried or the problem persists.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"I
\n\t\tThe diagnosis was a shock (Picture: Instagram\/Georgie Swallow)
\nA step backwards<\/strong><\/p>\n

My parents and I were so confident I would be fine when I went for a routine check-up scan in June 2019 that we dressed up nicely for a celebratory lunch afterwards.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Then the doctor told me: \u2018I\u2019m afraid it\u2019s back.\u2019 <\/p>\n

It was shocking news, but we kept our restaurant reservation as I\u2019d already learnt that you must enjoy life whenever you can. I knew I might not be well enough to go out soon. I enjoyed a few drinks and saw Jude Law, so that was fun!<\/p>\n

The severity of my new cancer meant I needed a stem cell transplant, which replaces damaged or diseased blood-forming cells with healthy ones. When I had it in October 2019, I couldn\u2019t leave the hospital \u2013 even to go outside \u2013 for nearly five weeks. I was also more unwell and didn\u2019t have any energy to make it a fun experience, like last time.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\"I
\n\t\tThe cancer came back in June 2019 (Picture: Instagram\/Georgie Swallow)<\/p>\n

When it came to shaving my head again, I remember my mum\u2019s tearful face in the corner of the bathroom, and snapping at her because I didn\u2019t want to see or feel any emotion.<\/p>\n

In some ways, my illness was even harder for my parents. Some days, I was in so much pain it felt like there were little shards of glass floating around my body, and all they could do was sit and watch. Their lives were put on hold every day, not knowing if their daughter would make it.<\/p>\n

Going through the menopause\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Three months after my stem cell transplant, I had a scan which showed the cancer had gone. <\/strong>My procedure meant that my chances of having kids became around 0.1%, but I had no choice \u2013 what\u2019s the point in being fertile if I wasn\u2019t going to be alive?\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, when I started feeling better, reality hit. I always wanted to be a mum, and began grieving for the kids I\u2019ll never get to have.<\/p>\n

The transplant also put me through menopause at just 29, which was tough as the doctors didn\u2019t explain it to me, and I didn\u2019t realise what was happening.\u00a0<\/p>\n

At first, I thought I was having a mental breakdown.\u00a0My emotions were all over the place, my anxiety was crazy, and I was so low. I was also suffering from night sweats, sore joints and brain fog. Once I put my iron in the fridge.<\/p>\n

I was lucky to have a therapist who helped me through these life changes and eventually made the connection for me.<\/p>\n

I was put back on the pill for oestrogen, but it was suggested I come off because I had strokes. The pill can lead to an increased risk of blood clots and further strokes.<\/p>\n

So now, age 32, I\u2019ve been hit by another wave of menopause symptoms, which can be difficult because none of my friends are at this stage and, as lovely and supportive as they are, they don\u2019t entirely understand it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A new chapter<\/strong><\/p>\n

\t\t\"I
\n\t\tHer Instagram became popular (Picture: Instagram\/George Swallow)<\/p>\n

A few months after the stem cell transplant, I went back to my job as an executive assistant at a recruitment company. They\u2019d been so brilliant with me while I was ill, but in the end, I left so I could concentrate on my social media.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d used it as a way to let people know how I was getting on with the diagnosis and treatment, but I also wanted to share my experience in case it could help someone else feel less alone.<\/p>\n

I hadn\u2019t known anyone my age who had been sick, so I had no one I could ask about little things, such as how to tie a headscarf or protect my nails in chemo, or talk about the big stuff, like fears. I wanted to change that and now I have nearly 100k followers and the most wonderful community who are all kind, empowering, encouraging and understanding.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also spurred me to start\u00a0my own business, Life\u2019s for Living, a travel company that takes women on adventure trips. Everyone\u2019s there for a reason, whether they\u2019ve had a health issue, they\u2019re going through a divorce, they\u2019ve struggled mentally, or they\u2019ve been feeling insecure in their bodies. It\u2019s so incredible to bring everyone together. We bond, and it becomes beautiful.<\/p>\n

Having cancer means time feels like a precious thing, and now I want to do as much as I can. But my mum reminds me I can say \u2018no\u2019 sometimes. For a while, I\u2019d give a panicked yes to everything and get burned out.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\"I
\n\t\tGeorgie just celebrated five years being cancer-free (Picture: Instagram\/Georgie Swallow)<\/p>\n

It sounds cheesy, but I\u2019ve realised that saying yes isn\u2019t just for the big things. I used to only light candles for nice occasions, but now I light them whenever I want. It\u2019s not feasible to have some big bucket list trip every day, so I try to remind people it\u2019s about the little things too.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Last year, I had a party to raise money for The Royal Marsden Hospital and celebrate being five years cancer-free. <\/p>\n

What most people didn\u2019t know was that I was still waiting to find out if it had come back, after an inconclusive scan. I felt as if I was cheating by celebrating, so I\u2019ve never felt such relief when I got the all clear.<\/p>\n

I never like to thank cancer for stuff, because I don\u2019t think it deserves the credit, but I also know that without it, I wouldn\u2019t be who I am now.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You can follow Georgie Swallow on Instagram here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As told to Josie Copson<\/strong><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tWhat is Hodgkin Lymphoma?\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Hodgkin lymphoma is an uncommon cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, which is a network of vessels and glands spread throughout your body. It can develop at any age, but it mostly affects people aged between 20-40 and those over 75.<\/p>\n

Around 2,100 people are diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in the UK each year. The most common symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is a painless swelling in a lymph node, usually in the neck, armpit or groin.<\/p>\n

Around 8 out of 10 people with Hodgkin lymphoma live at least 5 years, and most of these will be cured. However, there\u2019s a risk of long-term problems after treatment, including infertility and an increased risk of developing another type of cancer in the future.<\/p>\n

Information taken from the NHS website<\/p>\n

Do you have a story you\u2019d like to share? Get in touch by emailing Josie.Copson@metro.co.uk<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Share your views in the comments below.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Meet Britain\u2019s Doomsday preppers stockpiling for World War Three<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: I attended the UK\u2019s biggest true crime convention \u2014 it wasn\u2019t what I expected<\/a><\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: \u2018I\u2019d rather they killed us\u2019 How rape became a weapon in war<\/a><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tThe Slice<\/p>\n

Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t