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Misdiagnosed for 4 Years: Woman's Cough Hidden Cancer
31 Aug
Summary
- Woman's persistent cough and sweating were initially misdiagnosed as menopause.
- A new GP investigated Virginie's symptoms after four years of medical visits.
- Virginie was diagnosed with CML and began chemotherapy in November 2019.
Virginie, a mother of three, experienced alarming symptoms including extreme sweating and a persistent cough. Initially, medical professionals attributed these issues to early menopause and "allergies to the weather." Despite these explanations, Virginie's symptoms persisted over four years, leading to numerous unsuccessful consultations with GPs and urgent care.
Her condition worsened with the onset of a sharp pain on her left side and a noticeable lump in her abdomen, which she later realized was her spleen swelling. A change in GP proved pivotal. This new physician reviewed Virginie's extensive medical history and expressed surprise that a blood test had never been ordered. Consequently, Virginie was promptly referred for a hematology appointment.
In November 2019, Virginie received a diagnosis of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). She commenced chemotherapy treatment immediately, which caused significant side effects like hair loss, fatigue, and nausea. After completing her treatment, Virginie now attends regular blood tests and is sharing her story to raise awareness for Blood Cancer Awareness Month.
