I thought feeling unwell all the time was aftermath of tonsillitis – then I was diagnosed with ‘silent’ cancer
CHLOE Reid wanted desperately to believe that her constant tiredness and a lump on the side of her neck were the aftermath of tonsillitis.
But deep down she knew something wasn’t right – and she was diagnosed with cancer just weeks after her 21st birthday.
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Chloe looked picture-perfect in a gold dress and sash at a party to mark her big day.
But fearing that the lump on her neck could be signs of disease, the 21-year-old found it hard to enjoy the celebrations.
Soon afterwards, Chloe‘s plans for her future were shattered and replaced by hospital treatments as she was diagnosed with blood cancer.
Chloe, from Aberdeen, said: “I faced some of the most challenging moments of my life at 21.
“When doctors told me I had cancer it felt like I’d walked in to someone else’s life, a life much more frightening than mine.
“It forced me to make a lot of decisions at a young age like, ‘do I want to have kids one day?’
“There were days when I cried and life felt cruel. I think I will ask why for the rest of my life.”
Health care assistant Chloe contacted her GP in a phone consultation in November 2022 after a lump appeared on the right side of her neck.
At first, doctors put down the lump to an infection following a bout of tonsillitis.
But by her 21st birthday party on December 9, the lump on Chloe’s neck had grown so much that the birthday girl had to wear her hair down to cover it.
Chloe said: “We had a massive balloon stand, an amazing cake and it should have been the best 21st birthday party.
“But I actually don’t have many photos from that night as I was worried the lump on my neck was visible.
“I was still hoping that feeling unwell all the time was nothing but I knew deep down that something wasn’t right.
“Many people will question whether they should go back to their doctor and push to see someone if they’re worried and I’d say definitely.
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“I hate to think what might have happened if I’d waited any longer.”
Chloe eventually managed to get an in-person appointment with her GP in January 2023 and was referred to the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
She has several biopsies that spring and on March 8, 2023, Chloe was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma – a cancer affecting white blood cells known as lymphocytes.
It had spread to some lymph nodes under her arm.
The enormity of what was happening hit me when I went for my first chemotherapy session. I sat down in the chair at the clinic and cried
Chloe Reid
Chloe said: “I sat in the hospital car park and told my parents over the phone that I had cancer.
“It was the hardest phone call I’ve ever had to make but they were there for me emotionally and financially in the months which followed.”
Chloe’s parents Denise, 44, and Nicky, 43, flew to Aberdeen from their home in Alicante, Spain to support her through treatment.
Ups and downs
Keen to one day have her own family, Chloe chose to have hormone treatment to freeze her eggs before beginning chemotherapy in May that year.
Chloe said: “Suddenly the enormity of what was happening hit me when I went for my first chemotherapy session. I sat down in the chair at the clinic and cried.
“Losing your hair due to the side effects of chemotherapy at 21 is hard. My hair thinned to the point that I needed to shave it and for months I wore a wig.
“The steroids I had to take during treatment meant I put on weight. For a while it felt a bit like I lost myself during cancer.
“I hid away and didn’t see many of my friends after diagnosis. I didn’t understand myself what was going on at first so it was hard to answer questions.
Almost everybody goes through some hard stuff in their lives. I’ve just been through mine young. That’s the way life is
Chloe Reid
“But as time went on I realised there was no reason to hide away and actually it helps often to reach out. My best friends became my sunshine on my dark days.”
In July 2023, Chloe rang the bell at the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary to mark what she hoped was the end of treatment.
It was a blow when scans later that summer showed lumps on her collarbone and armpit and more chemotherapy was needed.
Chloe’s final chemotherapy session was on September 27- a date so significant that she today has it tattooed on her right arm.
Chloe, now 23, said: “Almost everybody goes through some hard stuff in their lives.
“I’ve just been through mine young. That’s the way life is. I have the best family and we’re closer than ever. Life is good.”
Funding life-saving research
Now in remission, the inspirational young woman has now been chosen to launch Cancer Research UK‘s Race for Life in Scotland.
Race for Life is a series of 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research in preventing, diagnosing and treating the disease.
Chloe’s boyfriend Jack McGinness, 25, will be at her side to sound the horn to set thousands of runners of their way at Beach Boulevard in Aberdeen on June 29.
The couple will also compete in the 5k race, calling on others to join them.
Chloe said: “Cancer opened my eyes and made me appreciate the special people in my life.
“I remember right from day one, saying to my boyfriend Jack that he didn’t need to stay with me.
“I told him I’d understand if he decided it was simply too much to carry and walked away. But Jack was amazing.
“He even took part in Race for Life when I was right in the middle of cancer treatment. It was one of his ways of saying, ‘I love you.’”
What are the symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma?
Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects white blood cells called lymphocytes.
The most common symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is a painless swelling in one or more lymph nodes.
This can be in any area of the body, but the most common areas are the neck, groin or armpit.
Lymph nodes commonly swell if we have an infection but they usually go back to normal over a short time.
With lymphoma, the lymph nodes often grow slowly and may be there for months or years before they’re noticed. But sometimes they grow very quickly.
Usually, the swollen nodes don’t hurt, but some people say their lumps ache or are painful. And for some they are painful after drinking alcohol.
You might have other symptoms such as:
- Heavy sweating, especially at night
- High temperatures that come and go with no obvious cause, often overnight
- Losing a lot of weight over a short period of time, despite eating well
- Itching, which may be worse after drinking alcohol
- Persistent cough or shortness of breath
- Pain in your tummy or lymph nodes after drinking alcohol
Source: Cancer Research UK
Jack is calling for more Scots to take part in this year’s race, saying: “I Race for Life for Chloe.
“After Chloe was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, I wanted to do my bit to support her but also to raise money on behalf of anyone else who is going through cancer.
“I’m proud of Chloe and everything she has achieved.”
Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman in Scotland, said: “We are grateful to Chloe and Jack for their support and know their story will make an impact on everyone who hears it.
“Sadly nearly one in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime but all of us can support the research that will beat it.
“We’re proud that Race for Life has had such a positive impact. Every pound raised supports our life-saving work, which has helped double cancer survival in the UK over the last 50 years.
“We’d love for as many people as possible across Greater Manchester and beyond to join us at Race for Life.
“Our events are strictly non-competitive which means everyone can have a go- and love every minute.
“There’s no pressure to finish in a certain time, just give it what you can. Lace up and join in.
“Whether people are living with cancer, taking part in honour of or in memory of a loved one with cancer, in it for the medals or just for the fun of fundraising, there is a place for everyone.”
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