SUMBUL Ali was ‘itching herself to death’ for 11 months straight, plagued by the feeling of creatures crawling under her skin.
Doctors kept telling her it most likely and she just needed to “moisturise”, but the 26-year-old was convinced something else was going on.
Sumbul Ari says she was itching herself to death, yet she continued to be told by doctors it was nothing to worry about Credit: Jam Press/@sumbul.ari
Her legs and feet were covered in scabs as a result of her constant scratching Credit: Jam Press/@sumbul.ari
She described the moment she knew it was cancer Credit: Jam Press/@sumbul.ari
She described the moment this was confirmed to her, saying: “I knew instantly it was cancer.”
Sumbul, from Cairns, , said: “The first doctor I went to for the itching told me to moisturise my skin and it’s probably just dry skin.
“I experienced uncontrollable itching every day and it got worse at night – it would keep me up for hours.
“I hadn’t had a full night’s for seven months straight.
“I would scratch myself with sharp objects, and no medication, cream or antihistamines would help.
“Doctors put it down to dry skin, , .”
On top of the extreme itching Sumbul also experienced constant , chronic fatigue and a loss of appetite.
But following doctors’ advice, she assumed this was caused by products she was using at home.
She continued to be stumped about the cause of her itching, until she felt a lump appear on her neck.
Sumbul said: “I randomly touched my neck and felt a lump.
“When I did my search, the symptoms came up – itchy skin, fatigue, night sweats.
“I knew instantly I had cancer.”
Sumbul believed she had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma – a type of blood cancer – as all her symptoms matched.
On March 4, the event content creator visited a doctor and spoke to them about her concerns.
Sumbul suffered with symptoms for months Credit: Jam Press/@sumbul.ari
She felt a lump on her neck after randomly touching it Credit: Jam Press/@sumbul.ari
Sumbul undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Credit: Jam Press/@sumbul.ari
In a flood of frustrated tears, she begged for an ultrasound after listing all her symptoms and the conditions she had so far been treated for.
A few weeks later on March 17, her worst fears were confirmed after receiving an official diagnosis from the haematologist.
Sumbul said: “After I received my ultrasound result, which confirmed multiple enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, the doctor urged me to go to the hospital.
“A CT scan was done and doctors at the hospital confirmed more enlarged lymph nodes across my chest and neck.
“They said they highly suspect lymphoma, so I had a biopsy and PET scan done the following week and got my official diagnosis on 17 March.”
Sumbul’s cancer was caught between stage two and three.
What is Hodgkin Lymphoma?
HODGKIN lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes.
It is not common, with around 2,100 people diagnosed every year in the UK.
Hodgkin lymphoma can develop at any age, but it mostly affects people between 20 and 40 years of age and those over 75. Slightly more men than women are affected.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, on the other hand, is diagnosed in 13,000 new patients per year. It is more common as you get older, with over a third of cases diagnosed in people over the age of 75.
In Hodgkin lymphoma, B-lymphocytes (a particular type of lymphocyte) start to multiply in an abnormal way and begin to collect in certain parts of the lymphatic system, such as the lymph nodes (glands).
The affected lymphocytes lose their infection-fighting properties, making a person more vulnerable to infection.
Like all cancers, symptoms vary and can be vague. However, patients usually notice swelling in one or more lymph nodes.
This can be in any area of the body, but is often in the neck, armpit or groin.
The swelling is usually painless, although some people find that it aches.
Some people with Hodgkin lymphoma also have other more general symptoms. These can include:
- Night sweats
- Unintentional weight loss
- A high temperature (fever)
- A persistent cough or feeling of breathlessness
- Persistent itching of the skin all over the body
Source: Cancer Research UK and the NHS .
She had enlarged lymph nodes found on her neck and chest and the disease had also spread to her spleen.
The 26-year-old has now finished one round of chemotherapy and has five more to go.
She said: “I was so relieved because I’d finally felt that someone listened to me.
“I knew that I was finally on the right path of having an itch-free day and getting a good night’s sleep.
“For seven months, I woke up every single night to itch myself to death.
“If you know there is something wrong with you, please do not stop advocating for yourself.”
Sumbul urged others to advocate for themselves Credit: Jam Press/@sumbul.ari
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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