Home / Health / Mum's Cough Mystery Solved: Stage 3 Cancer Found
Mum's Cough Mystery Solved: Stage 3 Cancer Found
27 Oct
Summary
- A persistent cough after COVID led to a stage three thymoma cancer diagnosis.
- The rare cancer affected the thymus gland, requiring extensive treatment.
- Michaela is now five years cancer-free and a mother of two.
Michaela Riley, a teacher from south London, initially believed her persistent cough was a lingering effect of COVID-19. However, after 19 days of battling the symptom and experiencing severe pain, she sought medical attention.
Doctors at Guy's Hospital diagnosed her with stage three thymoma cancer, a rare malignancy of the thymus gland. This diagnosis deeply affected her, particularly the thought of not being there for her young son.
Michaela underwent 21 rounds of chemotherapy to shrink the 6.4cm tumor before a complex, five-hour surgery in September 2021. The procedure involved rebuilding a major vein and part of her heart's protective lining.
Surgeons at Guy's Hospital specialize in such rare cases, performing approximately one per month. Michaela has since made a full recovery and is now five years cancer-free. She has since welcomed a second child and is celebrating the care she received.
