Victoria

Teresa explains what an emotional rollercoaster it was when her daughter Victoria was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.

‘In June 2015 my daughter Victoria mentioned that she had a lump in her neck. It wasn’t visible, it didn’t hurt, but it was rock hard. I told her that it was probably nothing to worry about. On reflection, I can’t believe I said that!

Sadly that August Victoria had a miscarriage. She mentioned the lump in her neck and her doctor immediately referred her to an ear, nose and throat specialist. Initial investigations didn’t reveal anything, so an ultrasound scan and a needle biopsy were arranged. The 2 week wait for the results were worrying, but after a fortnight Victoria was told they would need to repeat the biopsy. The second biopsy didn’t show anything, so a CT scan was organised. Victoria was feeling increasingly tired, although she put it down to looking after her 3-year-old son Thomas as well as working.

The CT scan revealed a lump in Victoria’s chest as well as her neck. It was agreed the lump in her neck would be surgically removed. The operation went well and Victoria received a call a week later from haematology asking her to go in the next day. Both my husband and I went with Victoria to see the haematologist. He calmly explained that the biopsy had shown she had Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer. Her face filled with tears. We sat with the Clinical Nurse Specialist and shed lots of tears and drank lots of tea. She explained that chemotherapy would start the next week. In the meantime, a PET scan was arranged to stage the Hodgkin lymphoma.

Victoria started ABVD chemotherapy which would be given fortnightly. She felt sick when she had the first chemotherapy, but this was quickly dealt with. In fact she managed really well and, although her hair went a bit finer, she didn’t lose it.

Victoria had planned to open a hair salon for many years and at 36 everything had been coming together. She had found a shop and was planning its refurbishment, but now she was receiving treatment and the contract was due to be signed. She asked her doctor what she should do. He suggested she should take on the shop and plan for the future.

Her husband Gavin and his friend were fantastic. Despite having jobs themselves, they worked on Victoria’s plans to make the salon into her vision, organising the décor and buying equipment.

After 2 cycles of ABVD Victoria had a PET scan to see how things were going. Unfortunately things were not going as well as expected. This was a massive blow as we all thought she was doing so well. Our confidence was completely knocked. Victoria’s consultant explained that they were going to change her chemotherapy to a more aggressive one, escalated BEACOPP. She would need to stay in hospital for the treatment. This was difficult for her with a little boy. She explained to Thomas that Mummy was ill and needed to stay in hospital. Because she had a PICC line in, Thomas thought it was her arm that was poorly and focussed on that; her nurse put a plaster on his teddy’s arm.    

Victoria’s first treatment with escalated BEACOPP made her feel very sick and her hair fell out within 4 or 5 days, which she found really distressing.  She flet her first wig just looked wrong; it had too much hair and no style. She bought another one and found a Trevor Sorbie salon to have it styled. Her blonde bob was beautiful and it was amazing how much of a difference this made. I still recall just how glamorous she looked throughout.

Working with Gavin, she continued to plan the salon, and after 2 cycles of the escalated BEACOPP, had a PET scan. This showed she was in remission. It was fantastic news, but she still had to have the other 2 cycles.

She really struggled with the last 2 treatments. I recall visiting her in hospital; she looked so pale and her eyes were dark and sunken. I can’t begin to explain how hard it is for a parent to see their child so ill.  After her last chemotherapy, she decided the salon would open 2 weeks later. She called it Frederico’s in memory of her grandad who she adored. She is going to take the Trevor Sorbie course for wig cutting and styling and looking after hair as it is growing back. She feels in this way she can help others going through a similar situation.

The salon is beautifully designed and is doing well. I can’t even tell you how proud I am of my daughter Victoria.’ 

Photo: The Shropshire Star

October 2016