2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Michael Pringle)
Nail technician Erin then developed a lump on her neck Get the latest Lanarkshire news sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter We have more newsletters Get the latest Lanarkshire news sent straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter We have more newsletters A nail technician from Cambuslang who developed a cough last year that wouldn’t shift has commenced chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with cancer. Erin Lavery, who had suffered from childhood asthma didn’t too think much of the cough which first appeared in October last year. But the following month she discovered a lump on her neck and made an a appointment with her GP to have it checked.
Doctors thought her symptoms were down to a swollen lymph mode and iron deficiency, but Erin’s symptoms became steadily worse over the next seven months as she suffered from migraines, dizziness, and tiredness. “I was feeling worse and worse but my GP surgery believed my symptoms were linked to low iron,” said Erin. “They also took me off the contraceptive pill as they believed that could the cause – and they gave me medication such as steroids to see if my symptoms would clear up, but nothing worked.
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Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android After several months of trying to carry on as normal the 21-year-old was forced to stop working for periods of time and asked to be referred to a hospital and underwent a biopsy. “I knew something wasn’t right so the last time I went to the doctor’s about my lump I asked if I could get more tests at hospital, Erin continued. “At that point, they agreed to refer me.
” An initial hospital appointment was made for July and by August 9 Erin had undergone her first biopsy, but while waiting for the results she became even more ill. Erin revealed: “There were two weeks where I could not get out of bed and I was struggling at times to get my breath. I’d genuinely never felt so bad in my life.
“My mum phoned the hospital and they took me in for more tests straight away. I was diagnosed with lymphoma that same day.” Erin began chemotherapy for the stage 3 cancer a fortnight ago and treatment is expected to continue for the next six months.
She remains positive that she can make a full recovery, but her future is uncertain. She is urging others to listen to their own bodies and their instincts and push doctors if they think something isn’t right. The Lanarkshire woman cut off her hair, raising over £13,000 for the Little Princess Trust.
Erin is also raising awareness of the condition and posted and inspirational video of her shaving her long hair off, which went viral. Erin added: “I first posted about my diagnosis on social media as I thought it was the easiest way to tell my clients, but then people started reaching out to me with their own symptoms. “I have been touched by the response I’ve had to my own story as I never expected it.
Something positive has come from a bad thing. “I now feel it’s important for me to use my voice and tell others that if you know there’s something not right, listen to your body. If I hadn’t pushed, I would still be sitting at home right now.
“A lot of what will happen next is uncertain, but I’m staying positive with the support of my family and friends.” *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here .
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