Life changed dramatically for Lauryn Winson, a 24-year-old from Carterton, after an unexpected discovery last November. With a new job, a home she shared with her partner Olly, and dreams of running a marathon, Lauryn had her whole life ahead of her. But everything shifted when she found a lump in her breast.
Initially believing it to be a harmless cyst, Lauryn soon found herself facing a diagnosis she never imagined: Burkitt lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. “I was convinced they’d mixed up my results,” Lauryn recalls. Her whirlwind journey began immediately, with gruelling rounds of chemotherapy that kept her in hospital for weeks.
Chemotherapy tested Lauryn’s strength to its limits. “I lost not just my hair but a part of myself,” she shares. Living attached to a machine, even on her birthday and Christmas, was isolating and exhausting. Yet, she persevered.
Today, Lauryn is back at work full-time, embracing life again with Olly and their two beloved dogs. Despite the challenges, she’s found a renewed appreciation for life’s small joys. “I look at life through a more positive lens now,” she says.
Lauryn wants to raise awareness about lymphoma, stressing the importance of recognising that cancer can affect anyone at any age. She also aims to shed light on the emotional toll of recovery, including the hidden guilt survivors often feel. “Your emotions are valid. It’s okay to miss who you were and to acknowledge those feelings,” she advises fellow sufferers.
Lauryn’s story serves as a reminder to trust your instincts and seek medical advice if something feels off. More information about lymphoma can be found at lymphoma-action.org.uk. Remember, every feeling is valid, and every moment counts.