A 24-year-old pregnant woman was shocked when she found out that her morning sickness was an early symptom of cancer. Five months pregnant Caitlin McAlinden initially thought that this was just a normal symptom of pregnancy. But after a golf ball-sized lump formed on her neck and persistent morning sickness, she decided to consult a doctor.
Caitlin, a resident of England, suffered from problems like extreme fatigue and vomiting at least once a day in the first three months of her pregnancy. These symptoms usually occur during pregnancy, so she did not pay much attention. On Christmas Day he felt a pea-sized lump in his throat and also noticed that he had lost a little weight. Still, instead of immediately going to the doctor, she considered it to be another 'weird' effect of pregnancy.
First stage cancer
At the beginning of 2024, when his fatigue increased and the size of the lump increased to the size of a golf ball, he consulted his doctor. After investigation, it was found that he had the first stage of Hodgkin lymphoma. According to Cancer Research UK, weight loss and swelling in the throat can be the initial symptoms of this disease. However, after the cancer was detected in March, the treatment was postponed until after the birth of the child in May.
Caitlin's dream was shattered.
She told me that this was not the pregnancy I was expecting. She further said that I could not feel well this entire time. Whatever she wanted to do after the birth of the child, she would have to stop due to chemotherapy. She is expected to make a full recovery, although she has to take steroid injections and blood-thinning pills every morning.
Why is chemotherapy not done during pregnancy?
Cancer Research UK says that chemotherapy can usually be given to women more than 14 weeks pregnant, but not earlier as it can harm the baby or cause miscarriage. They suggest that sometimes you can delay chemotherapy until after your baby is born, although this is not always possible.
