Patrycja was only 19 years old when she found out she had cancer
A 20-year-old woman relied on a popular TV show and Google to understand her devastating cancer diagnosis. Patrycja Sobanska, from Peterborough, was just 19 years old when she was diagnosed with cancer in October 2024.
She first found a pea-sized lump on her neck, initially thinking it could be an infection. When it didn’t go away, she visited the GP four times before developing jaundice and insisted on a CT scan from the hospital.
After she had a CT scan, it was then revealed she had Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), a type of fast-growing non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). “I just started bawling my eyes out – I think that was just the normal reaction, I just didn’t know what to do,” said Patrycja.
Patrycja didn’t understand what lymphoma was, but heard about it on Grey’s Anatomy. She added: “At the time I did watch Grey’s Anatomy a lot, it was Grey’s that made me think I was ill.
“It was when I had my potential diagnosis and they said you either have sarcoma or lymphoma, I was certain I then had cancer since there was an episode in Grey’s where a girl got diagnosed with lymphoma.
Patrycja was treated at Peterborough City Hospital, and then Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge. She underwent R-CHOP, a type of chemotherapy to treat lymphomas. While at Addenbrooke’s she was treated under the C9 ward, a Teenage Cancer Trust ward.
Patrycja said: “One of the junior sisters working on the day unit, Sandra, would always explain all of the chemotherapy and treatments I was having on the ward. It didn’t matter if it was my first time having chemo or my last, she remembered to take me through every step every time to ensure I was comfortable.”
Patrycja has praised the work of the Teenage Cancer Trust during her treatment. She added: “Teenage Cancer Trust’s youth support coordinator, Hannah helped arrange ringing the ‘end of treatment’ bell. She mentioned that the bell is located in the paediatric ward and how sometimes it can be hard to see others ring the bell.
“So, Hannah arranged with me to set-up my bell ringing in the garden of Addenbrooke’s Hospital. Hannah had put up bunting and letters that spelled out ‘Patrycja’s bell ringing’ wrapped around a tree.”
Patrycja is calling for better communication for 13 to 24 year olds when being diagnosed with cancer. Dr Louise Soanes, chief nurse at Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “The way in which we talk about and explain cancer is so important, but it’s a difficult subject and can be incredibly challenging.
“However, one conversation can change everything for a young person. The right words at the right time can make all the difference – and we must all do our best to get it right.
“Our expert nurses and youth workers across the UK support young people with cancer through all kinds of conversations. And whether you’re a health professional, a friend, or loved one of a young person who struggles to find the right words, or you don’t know what to say, you can find help and guidance about cancer conversations on the Teenage Cancer Trust website.”
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