I was diagnosed with aggressive cancer after my symptoms were dismissed as a pulled muscle
A 22-year-old woman was diagnosed with aggressive cancer after her symptoms were dismissed as being a "pulled muscle from having a panic attack" and told to take co-codamol.
Emma Herring, from Chester-le-Street, was also told she was "too young for cancer" and her symptoms were also probably down to anxiety before being diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma - over the phone at work.
She had been suffering with chest pains since April last year and repeatedly went to the doctors for help - but was misdiagnosed multiple times.
Because of her age, her symptoms were constantly written off and put down to her possibly having a pulled muscle, anxiety, pneumonia and even arthritis.
Emma, an optical assistant at Specsavers, was eventually transferred to the University Hospital of North Durham for further testing in early November.
She was diagnosed the following day with a seven centimetre tumour in her chest, a four centimetre tumour in her neck and told the blood cancer had spread to her lymph nodes.
Emma is now urging all young women to listen to their bodies and to seek a second opinion if something does not feel right.
Emma said: "I knew something wasn't right as I had been suffering these pains in my chest since April.
"I booked into my GP and saw a nurse practitioner who told me it was probably down to anxiety.
"Then around May time I had not improved so I called 111 who advised I go to A&E for an ECG and I got an outpatient appointment with GP.
"No ECG was done and he told me it was likely I had pulled a muscle while having a panic attack.
"I have a history of anxiety but I hadn't even mentioned having a panic attack so I don't know where that came from.
"In August I had an X-ray and they could see a mass - but prescribed me antibiotics for suspected pneumonia as they discounted cancer due to my age.
"Around six weeks later there was improvement and my bloods were all over the place - but this time they mentioned arthritis.
"I was a bit confused why they were mentioning arthritis when I was having pains in my chest at the age of 22.
"After having another X-ray and CT scan in November, I went back to work the next day as I'm not normally one to call in sick.
"But before I could start my shift at 8.30am they called me up over the phone and broke the news to me it was cancer on the phone.
"It wasn't done in a consultation room with doctors, nurses or with any other support - just over the phone.
"We went to hospital and that is when we were told it was stage 4 cancer, the most advanced stage you can get, and I didn’t believe it.
"It was and still is the scariest thing I have ever gone through in my life.”
Emma began intense chemotherapy immediately at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle due to the advanced and aggressive nature of the cancer.
What was initially planned as four rounds has since been extended to six and she is currently part way through round five.
Within three weeks of starting treatment, she lost her long flowing red hair - "part of her identity" - and something she said she was not prepared for.
Emma added: “My hair was my identity and I wasn't prepared for how quick it happened. I also didn't have chance to freeze my eggs and there's a chance I could end up infertile.
"Because of the aggressiveness of my cancer, we just had to go straight into chemo so they didn’t have time to do that for me. It is upsetting thinking I may not be able to have children or may get an early menopause too.
"The whole experience has really affected me mentally but also physically as well. I have to sometimes get my mum to help me out of the shower and I am 22. I just never ever expected to get cancer, especially not at this age.
"I was finally getting to a happy place in my life, got my own flat and now it has all gone away from me.
"I've moved back in with my parents but I've only been out of hospital for around four or five days over the last few months.
"I used to enjoy going out with my friends but now my life is on hold. It just feels like it is a waiting game as we don’t fully know what is going to happen.
"I might need an operation as I had sepsis recently and they think the infection is quick deep-rooted.
"When I do go out of hospital, my bloods drop due to the treatment so even when I go out shopping I have to be really careful about infections.
“I have always been relatively healthy, apart from the odd cold, I haven’t been ill like this before - it is just absolutely crazy.
“It is just frustrating because I knew something was up, all the signs were there.
"But because of my age, we just didn’t think it would be as bad as it is and so progressive.
"I just take each day as it comes - you have good days and bad days and try to even approach the bad days with positivity.
"I have realised worrying or being scared or sad will not change anything and I'm just being positive.
"I just want others to be aware of the symptoms, to seek a second opinion if things don't feel right, don't be afraid to bug them, like I did. People need to listen to their bodies.
"I have also had remarkable support from the Teenage Cancer Trust and I have to thank them immensely because I don't think I would have been able to do it without them."
Emma is now unable to work during treatment and is now facing mounting financial pressures.
She has set up a GoFundMe appeal to help cover essential costs, including travel to hospital.
Gill Hunt, Interim Chief Nurse for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are very sorry to hear about Ms Herring’s diagnosis and the distress this will have caused her and her family.
"We understand how frightening this experience must have been.
"While we are unable to comment on the specific details of an individual patient’s care, we would welcome the opportunity to speak with Ms Herring directly, to listen to her experience and ensure appropriate support is in place.
"We encourage anyone who feels their symptoms are not improving, or who remains concerned about their health, to seek further medical advice.
"We are committed to learning from patient experiences and continually improving the care we provide.”
To support Emma, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/emma-with-stage-4-lymphoma?ref=ed_direct