"My name is Bethany and I am 18 years old.
I was an active and studious 17 year old until January 2015, when I was diagnosed with stage 2A Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Despite feeling physically fit, I found a small lump on the side of my neck before Christmas and was certain it was a cyst or a bruise. I’d never been directly affected by Cancer; I never related Cancer with teenagers either, least of all me, until I cried "My A Levels" in devastation when the words were lodged in my mind. "Blood Cancer".
I began chemotherapy in February and expected to have 4 cycles of treatment. I missed my mock exams and went against teachers, friends and parental advice to quit education and defer my A Levels for a year. I wasn’t going to allow the disease to consume or define me; I knew where I wanted to be in a year’s time. Instead, I continued attending school in between chemo sessions and revised from my hospital bed. The treatment hit me hard. I lost my appetite and felt weak, as if my body gave up on me. The joint pain was immense, unable to walk, sleep or move – draining my energy, focus and productivity in school. It was an endless cycle. My physical appearance changed dramatically due to weight gain, as a result of enormous amounts of steroids, and the loss of my hair. This affected me emotionally, feeling like no one understood or could help, so I kept it to myself. I remember looking in the mirror and staring at the hairless, round and translucent face that greeted me thinking, "This isn’t me. It can’t be me".
Despite the difficulties and dark cycles of chemotherapy, sleep and revision, I was determined to remain positive throughout. I rarely spoke negatively about the experience, smiled and took a day at a time. I donated 14" of my long, luscious, dark hair so I could appreciate a smile on someone else’s face. However, I couldn’t have remained optimistic without the ongoing support of family and charities such as Teens Unite. Teens Unite enabled me to meet like-minded people at events who did understand and could help, whilst making me feel secure and ‘normal’. They offered a glimmer of hope and fun amongst the darkest of times. My first event was ‘Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea’ which was before my treatment started; it helped me enormously by talking to people who had already experienced chemotherapy, whilst receiving advice, tips and reassurance. Other events, such as Winter Wonderland and Go-Karting, helped me to be carefree again and socialise with others instead of feeling like I stood out. I have made some lifelong friends as we can understand and relate to each other completely, therefore I cannot thank Teens Unite enough.
Thankfully, I was announced ‘All clear’ on the 21st of May – a week before my exams and on my Grandad’s 80th birthday. I exceeded targets and accomplished my dream grades of A*AA, securing a place at University. Now, I am based at the University of Nottingham and study BA Geography. It was difficult to begin University when fragile, unconfident and embarrassed as though I was being judged, but I’ve found my feet and progressed. I continue to see friends from Teens Unite and appreciate the ongoing support from them, as I believe the period after treatment can prove difficult to deal with due to emotional instability and pressure to get life ‘back on track’. It’s been eventful and surreal, but I am truly blessed."
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