FOR years, Taylor Deanne Roy dismissed her shortness of breath and itchy skin as signs she was simply “getting older”.
So when scans revealed that the 32-year-old actually had stage four cancer, her “whole world stopped”.
“I had extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, itchy skin, and random pains for years, but I thought it was nothing to worry about,” Taylor, who is from Alberta, Canada, explained.
Initially, Taylor would blame herself for all the pain she was in.
She had put her itchy skin down to follicular eczema, which she had been diagnosed with three years earlier.
“I had become extremely tired and out of shape but I thought it was just part of being older,” she added.
But after discovering a lump on her neck, she visited her doctor.
An ultrasound led to a biopsy, and soon after, doctors confirmed she had stage four Hodgkin’s Lymphoma – a type of blood cancer that affects blood cells called lymphocytes.
Doctors discovered the cancer had also spread to her lungs and the bones in her spine.
“The moment I was told I had cancer, it was as if the whole world around me stopped,” she recalled.
“I felt like nothing was real for a few minutes. All I wanted was to be the best version of myself and start a family.
“Now, at 32, I’m in the fight of my life.”
Taylor’s battle now includes “severe pain, nausea, and exhaustion” every day.
“My body is a stranger, betraying me in ways I never thought possible,” she said.
“Simple tasks that I once did without a second thought are now sometimes nearly impossible.
“The hardest part is losing the independence I worked so hard to build.”
Just months before her diagnosis, an electrical fire destroyed her home and all her belongings.
Despite the chaos, Taylor has been supported by her family and friends.
“They’ve shown up in every way they can,” she said.
“From donations to making food, sending me onesies to replace the ones I lost, and helping with daily tasks—they’ve done everything. I’m beyond broken—physically, mentally, financially.
“I’ve reached a point where I need to ask for help because sometimes, no matter how strong we try to be, we can’t do it alone.”
Taylor now shares her story on TikTok, hoping to raise awareness and help others.
Reflecting on the symptoms she ignored, she said, “I wish I had mentioned them to my doctor sooner.
“If I had been more pushy with doctors, I wouldn’t be stage 4 right now.”
Taylor’s message is clear: “Advocate for yourself and don’t give up when doctors don’t listen.”
HODGKIN lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that starts in white blood cells called lymphocytes.
It is not common, with around 2,100 people diagnosed every year in the UK.
Like all cancers, symptoms vary and can be vague. However, patients usually notice swelling in one or more lymph nodes.
This can be in any area of the body, but is often in the neck, armpit or groin.
The swelling is usually painless, although some people find that it aches.
Some people with Hodgkin lymphoma also have other more general symptoms. These can include:
Source: Cancer Research UK and the NHS
