**Coffee Habit Leads to Life-Saving Cancer Diagnosis for London Woman**
A West London resident’s love for coffee and her Pret subscription unwittingly played a pivotal role in uncovering a serious illness, prompting reflections on the importance of self-advocacy when it comes to health concerns.
Zee Valentina, a 31-year-old project manager in the tech industry, found herself exhausted to the point of debilitation at the start of 2023. Like many hardworking professionals, she attributed the fatigue to long hours and the general stress that comes with a demanding job. However, it was her increasing reliance on her £20-per-month Pret coffee subscription that first signalled something more sinister might be amiss.
“I used to have a couple of coffees a day, just to get by,” Zee recalled. “But suddenly I needed all five free coffees the subscription offered every single day, each with double espresso shots. Even with that level of caffeine, I was barely able to function.”
This acute fatigue, accompanied by a persistent brain fog, led Zee to believe that something other than overwork was at play. Matters escalated further when she noticed two small lumps on either side of her neck. Concerned, she visited her GP, but what followed was a discouraging cycle all too familiar for many patients. Zee was told she was likely experiencing anxiety and a vitamin D deficiency, and was advised to start supplements.
Despite two months on vitamin D tablets, Zee’s symptoms only intensified. “My gut was telling me something was very wrong, and I couldn’t ignore it any longer,” she said. With the lumps growing — one eventually becoming the size of a golf ball — and her fatigue now all-encompassing, Zee became more insistent with her GP. Her persistence paid off: she was finally referred for further investigation at Hammersmith Hospital.
In August 2023, a PET CT scan provided a conclusive but devastating answer. Zee was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin lymphoma, an uncommon cancer that originates in the lymphatic system and can spread insidiously throughout the body. In Zee’s case, the disease had affected her neck, chest, and liver.
The reality of her diagnosis was overwhelming. “I got the call at work. I just dropped to the floor. Everything I had planned for my future froze. The shock was immense,” Zee shared, recalling the moment she received the news. Despite the gravity of her diagnosis, Zee initially attempted to hold on to everyday life and her fitness goals, but treatment would take precedence.
Zee underwent six months of intensive chemotherapy at Hammersmith Hospital. Disappointment came when follow-up scans showed the treatment had not been successful. With the cancer returning to multiple areas, including her neck and liver, a further round of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant were urgently required. The setback sent Zee into a period of depression and uncertainty about her future.
“The thought that you can be so unwell with symptoms as common as tiredness — it’s frightening. This disease can be so subtle, yet so dangerous if missed,” she explained. Zee strongly credits her own persistence for ultimately getting answers.
In November 2024, there was a turning point at last. Doctors confirmed her cancer was in remission following further treatment. Reflecting on her journey, Zee emphasises the lesson she hopes others will take from her experience: “You are your own best advocate. Never feel guilty for pushing for answers if you feel something is off. If I’d been taken seriously earlier, perhaps this could have been caught before it spread.”
Zee now shares her story to raise awareness of Hodgkin lymphoma’s often vague symptoms, particularly emphasising that severe, unexplained fatigue and changes in daily habits, such as increased caffeine consumption, can be meaningful warning signs.
Hodgkin lymphoma is a rare cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, with its most typical symptom being a painless, swollen lymph node, often in the neck, armpit, or groin. It serves as another reminder of the need to trust one’s instincts and persist in seeking medical attention when something feels wrong.