MUM'S ANGER
I was told my little girl’s night sweats were just an infection – months later we learned the devastating truth
A MUM has been left devastated after her 12-year-old daughter’s night sweats turned out to be something far worse than she imagined.
Natalie Bloxham, 34, was told her daughter Imogen’s symptoms were likely a viral infection.
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Imogen had unusual lumps in her neck towards the end of 2021 - but in February 2022, doctors said it was likely swollen glands from an infection.
The schoolgirl was also suffering from fatigue, night sweats and itchy skin.
It wasn't until months later, when Imogen was really sick with yellowed skin, that she would finally get a diagnosis.
Natalie, from Staffordshire, said that in February Imogen was "grey and lethargic", adding: "I noticed she had swollen lymph nodes and her skin was itchy.
“I called my GP who advised she could have a viral infection and was told to wait three weeks as children do get swollen lymph nodes when they have infections.”
But during this time, Imogen also caught Covid, which led doctors to believe this was causing her lymph nodes to swell.
So they advised Natalie to wait a further three weeks.
After the lumps in Imogen’s neck failed to go down, doctors told her that she would need further testing in hospital, but that it could take up to three months to be referred.
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Natalie took her away on a holiday to Greece to try and cheer her up.
And after getting back to the UK, Imogen developed jaundice - yellowing of the eyes and skin - and a high temperature, which resulted in a rush to hospital.
In June 2022, scans found that she had numerous tumours in her neck, spleen, groin and most concerning, around her heart.
It was restricting blood and oxygen from being pumped around her body.
Imogen was diagnosed with stage three cancer on June 8.
She has Hodgkin lymphoma, a rare cancer of the lymphatic system - a web of glands and vessels in the body.
Natalie said: “When Imogen got her diagnosis, I had already prepared myself – as a mother I knew deep down something was wrong.
"Imogen didn’t show any emotion about her diagnosis, she has been so strong through the whole situation.
“I was angry and so upset. If she had been seen in February, she could have been a stage one cancer patient.
“She needed a blood transfusion as she was extremely sick.
“The tumours around her heart were restricting it from beating and also crushing her oesophagus, she had also turned yellow and had jaundice.”
Natalie said her main fears for her daughter were for her fertility and her losing her hair.
Hodgkin lymphoma has good survival statistics - 75 per cent live for 10 or more years - but sadly, 300 people still die of the disease each year.
Imogen is currently going through two rounds of chemotherapy at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
She will be in hospital for at least a month before doctors determine whether or not she will need radiotherapy.
However, Imogen’s consultant has warned of the risks of radiotherapy as it could cause further damage to her heart, which is currently being restricted by tumours.
Imogen will also be having fertility treatment to try and preserve some of her eggs.
Since the diagnosis, Natalie has had to leave her job to become Imogen’s full-time carer, while her daughter now suffers from panic attacks and struggles to sleep.
Natalie said: “Mentally I question why it has to happen to my child.
“However, as Imogen shows me strength and determination, it makes me feel stronger.
“Imogen is just incredible. She was dramatically losing her hair so she made the decision to shave it all off.
“She’s too self-conscious to go back to school at the moment and doesn’t want everyone to make a fuss and the fact she has no hair is a sensitive point for her.";
Natalie has set up a page to help raise money to send Imogen on a “once in a lifetime” trip to Disney Land Florida.
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Natalie said: “As her mother all I want is to put a smile on her face and going to America will do that for sure.
“Every donation will go towards this trip for Imogen.”
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