Title: Sydney Woman Finally Diagnosed with Blood Cancer After Doctors Dismiss Her Symptoms as Hormonal
Introduction:
After experiencing chronic fatigue, itchy skin, night sweats, and a persistent cough for a year, a Sydney woman named Briony Benjamin was initially dismissed by doctors who attributed her symptoms to hormonal changes. However, after 18 months of searching for answers, Benjamin was finally diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, a blood cancer. Her journey serves as a reminder for individuals to advocate for their own health and seek medical attention when necessary.
Body:
Benjamin, now 31 years old, initially visited three different doctors to figure out the cause of her ailments. Unfortunately, her symptoms were not taken seriously, and she was told repeatedly that it was just hormonal. Feeling dismissed, she continued her search for answers until she finally received her diagnosis.
In a statement to 7 News, Benjamin emphasized the importance of pushing for answers and listening to one’s body. She advised individuals to find healthcare professionals who will take their concerns seriously if their primary care provider dismisses their symptoms.
Reflecting on her experience, Benjamin shared that she had come to accept feeling “crappy” and fatigued as her new normal. Despite feeling constant tiredness, she appeared healthy on the outside, which made her struggle to understand her body’s distress signals. Benjamin chronicled her journey in her book titled Life is Tough but So Are You, where she expressed her frustration with doctors repeatedly telling her she was fine and just needed rest.
It was only after Benjamin’s mother lost a friend to blood cancer that she pushed for her daughter to be tested for the disease. Shockingly, Benjamin tested positive for Hodgkin Lymphoma, leaving both her and her family devastated.
Following the diagnosis, Benjamin’s doctor took a cautious approach, focusing on medical testing, screening, and addressing fertility concerns. At 31 years old, Benjamin had not considered her future ability to have children. However, since the recommended treatment had the potential to affect her ovaries and make her infertile, she decided to freeze her eggs before starting chemotherapy.
Benjamin underwent four-and-a-half months of chemotherapy, and luckily, she was able to stop the treatment six weeks earlier than expected as she went into remission. Five years later, Benjamin is pregnant and feeling much better, emphasizing the importance of early detection and seeking medical attention for any concerning symptoms.
Conclusion:
Briony Benjamin’s story sheds light on the importance of advocating for one’s health and not accepting dismissive responses from healthcare professionals. Her journey serves as a reminder that individuals should trust their instincts and seek further medical attention if their symptoms persist or worsen. Benjamin’s perseverance paid off as she overcame a challenging diagnosis, and she now looks forward to a healthier and happier future.