Dee's Journey: From Lymphoma Diagnosis to a New Lease on Life
As Blood Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, we’re sharing the remarkable journey of Dee, a patient at University Hospital Southampton, who has shown immense courage in her fight against diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Dee’s story is one of hope, resilience, and gratitude for the care she received.
In Dee's words:
"Back at the end of October 2022, I was admitted to the hospital with a lesion on my scalp that was being treated with antibiotics by my GP. During my hospital stay, within just a few days, I was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The diagnosis came as a major shock.
The Lymphoma team at Southampton acted extremely quickly. Within 10 days, I started my chemotherapy treatment. Over a five-month period, I underwent seven rounds of chemotherapy: 1 cycle of R-CHOP, 3 cycles of MATRIX, and 3 cycles of R-ICE. My lymphoma had spread to various parts of my body and had even eroded my right hip, leaving me on crutches for 10 months.
I was extremely fortunate to be treated as an inpatient, as my chemotherapy regimes lasted 5 and 3 days each. The medical team that looked after me was incredible—from the HCAs and nursing staff to the doctors and support network. I felt very much at home, which was so important, as my treatment lasted 77 days in total.
By April 2023, I had reached full metabolic remission, and I was ready to embark on the next stage of my journey: a stem cell transplant. I had my autologous transplant in May 2023, which involved a 3-week isolation hospital stay. While it was difficult to be away from home, I was well supported and kept busy with crafts, reading, and jigsaw puzzles.
After leaving the hospital in May, my journey wasn't quite over—I needed a full hip replacement due to the damage from the lymphoma. That surgery was completed in July 2023.
I sometimes cannot quite believe what I went through, but I am extremely grateful for the amazing staff and the care I received. It took about 9 months for me to feel back to full strength, but now I’m leading a very busy, active life. I go to the gym, look after my grandchildren every Friday, work 3 days a week, and have been fortunate enough to travel abroad five times this year."
Dee’s story highlights the importance of quick diagnosis and dedicated, compassionate care. Thanks to the expertise of our Lymphoma team, Dee was able to navigate an intense treatment journey and now enjoys a vibrant, active life.
We’re sharing Dee’s story to remind everyone of the strength of blood cancer patients and to raise awareness about the life-saving treatments available. If you or someone you love is going through a similar journey, know that there is hope and help available.