A mum has revealed doctors dismissed her worrying symptoms as “tiredness from having a baby” – until it turned out to be a rare cancer.
Louise MacLeod, 44, from Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, was told by her GP that her constant fatigue was a result of recently welcoming her second child, daughter Nell, now 12, in 2010.
But nine months after her birth, the mum discovered a lump on her neck and was immediately concerned it could be cancerous.
She and husband Andy, 44, were concerned she had never regained her energy post birth – despite not suffering from similar symptoms after the birth of their first child, son Oscar, now 15.
Louise noticed she was constantly plagued by issues including swollen glands, fungal infections and weight loss.
While all of her symptoms were dismissed as “laryngitis” and simple common side effects resulting from childbirth, Louise wasn’t convinced.
She was told to rest but over the following months, more lumps appeared and her health continued to deteriorate – but GPs still put her symptoms down to having a young baby and possible postnatal depression.
After Louise requested a private referral with a specialist consultant, she was eventually diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2012, after suffering 11 months of ill health.
“It was really overwhelming, especially as I had a young family to look after,” Louise told NeedToKnow.online.
“But aside from being scared about my future, I was furious about my path to diagnosis. The delay in being correctly diagnosed could’ve easily cost me my life.
“I was actually relieved to finally have a diagnosis as I thought I was going mad, I’d had 11 months of symptoms with no answer.
“I also had a 20-month-old toddler and a 5-year-old who’d just started school at the time and couldn’t bear to think about not being here for them, along with the worries of what treatment would entail.
“It was an awful time.”
She began a gruelling 10-month cycle of treatments at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary including four different chemotherapy regimens, some as part of clinical trials.
When first line chemo treatments failed, her care was transferred to the Haematology Team at St James Leeds.
The treatments took a huge physical as well as emotional toll, with Louise dropping to just 5sts 7lbs at one point.
Doctors advised that her best chance of survival was to undergo a bone marrow transplant – her brother Richard Burhouse (47), Founder of the Huddersfield brewery Magic Rock, was an ideal match for the operation.
He donated stem cells for the transplant, which took place in September 2013 during a month-long stay in isolation at St James’.
Louise said: “I’m so lucky that my amazing brother was a willing match for the transplant, the care and support I received from my family, friends and the team at St James’ was incredible.”
The transplant was a complete success, but she wasn’t given the all clear until December 2013, just in time to enjoy a worry-free family Christmas.
She said: “Being declared cancer-free was absolute elation.
“I was still very weak after my transplant and I went in to see the consultant knowing my results were due, feeling very anxious and she didn’t even mention them until about five minutes in and she just said ‘and your scan was clear!’”
In early 2014 she was able to return to her work as managing director of Burhouse Limited, a family business based in Huddersfield which supplies jewellery designers and beads shops.
She has been cancer free for nine years and has dedicated herself to raising money (more than £40,000) and awareness for Cancer charities including Blood Cancer UK, where she is an ambassador.
The family are now backing the latest Omaze Million Pound House Draw, which will raise crucial funds for Blood Cancer UK.
The initiative means a stunning 4,200sq ft home nestled in Cornwall worth £3 million is up for grabs in the charity draw, with tickets starting at £10.
The house will be mortgage-free, with all stamp duty and legal fees also covered. The winner will even get £50,000 cash to help them settle in, and is free to either live in the house, rent it out or sell it.
Louise said: “It’s crucial that we raise awareness of symptoms amongst medical professionals and the public.
“That’s why I’m thrilled that the partnership with Omaze will raise both money and awareness, to enable this wonderful charity to continue the truly lifesaving work it does to help more people like me.
“I hope no one ever has to experience what I have been through, but it’s important people know that if they feel something isn’t right, they must push to be heard by their GP and clinical teams.
“You know yourself best and when something is wrong.”
The online draw ends midnight on 31 July, with entries available at www.omaze.co.uk.
