Ruby Costello went to see a doctor when a lump developed in her neck but she was told it was glandular fever and she was sent away
Ruby Costello (Image: Ruby Costello )
A teenager was told she had blood cancer after she went to A&E with chest pains after a two-year health battle.
Ruby Costello, 18, had been to and from doctors after initially being sent away from hospital with suspected glandular fever in 2023.
Her symptoms began to alleviate but gradually, Ruby began to suffer from her neck locking in place, as well as weight fluctuations, night sweats, and feeling out of breath.
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It was only when she went into A&E last month with chest pains that she was diagnosed with stage three Hodgkin lymphoma, a form of blood cancer.
According to the NHS, the most common symptom of Hodgkin lymphoma is a swelling in the neck, armpit, or groin.
Ruby developed a lump in her neck (Image: Ruby Costello)
Other symptoms include night sweats, unintentional weight loss, and feeling breathless, The Liverpool Echo reports.
Now, Ruby is set to undergo chemotherapy and has been told her condition should be 95 per cent curable.
Ruby, from Liverpool, said: “In 2023, I went into hospital with a big, massive lump in my neck.
“Initially, they did a scan in the hospital and said it was a tumour that needed to be removed straight away. But then a doctor came around and said that I just had glandular fever.
“My neck was locked in place quite a few times. I went to the doctors, and they just put it down to torticollis.” This is a condition where the neck muscles contract.
She added: “My weight was fluctuating as well. One day, it would be the lowest it had been in quite a while. Then the next week I’d be the heaviest in quite a while.
“I had night sweats as well. My breathlessness was just constant too.”
Ruby was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma on June 10.
“I knew it was coming,” she said. “I had been into A&E two weeks before with chest pains.
“They did a CT scan again and said that it looked like Hodgkin lymphoma, so all things were pointing to that.
“I’ve just been dead positive about the situation, to be honest. I’m just trying to get as many memories as possible with my friends and family.”
She continued: “My mum’s absolutely devastated. When she’d start crying, I’d start crying. They’re all absolutely devastated but are being so supportive.”
Ruby says she has met someone else with Hodgkin lymphoma who has been told they have one year to live.
She said: “He was at stage three. He was told it was curable as well. He went into remission twice, and now it’s come back, and he’s got a year left to live.”
Speaking about the treatment, Ruby added: “The part that’s really upset me is the fertility part. I’ve got to freeze my eggs and go through IVF just to make sure that the chemo doesn’t affect my fertility.
“I’ve spent grands and grands on hair extensions, so that’s upset me as well. They’ve said I’m going to lose my hair because with this type of cancer I’m not allowed to cold cap. They want the chemo to reach every single cell.”
As well as enjoying a holiday in Spain with her family before her treatment starts, Ruby has started a TikTok documenting her experience.
She has also set up a GoFundMe to raise money for an expensive human hair wig, which will help her feel “more like herself” during such an uncertain time.”
The remaining money after getting a wig will be used to support transport to and from the hospital appointments and other necessities.
“I was surprised we nearly hit the target within 14 hours of actually posting the GoFundMe,” Ruby said.
“I’ve also started a TikTok documenting what it’s been like. That’s doing quite well, and people are leaving supportive comments, which is really heartwarming.
“It doesn’t feel like I’ve got cancer at all. I just keep thinking to myself, is this a simulation? Am I imagining it? Obviously it will start to feel real next week when I do chemo.
“If people are noticing any lumps, make sure you push to get them properly checked out.”
Click here to view Ruby’s GoFundMe page.