Hodgkin lymphoma: Brisbane nurse Steph Ogden battles blood cancer after misdiagnosed sinus infection

A Brisbane teenager fighting blood cancer issued a warning after being misdiagnosed with a simple sinus infection.

In February, Steph Ogden, 19, developed an uncomfortable cough, headache, and runny nose. She thought it was just a cold, but she didn’t want to go away.

The student nurse went to her family doctor who told her it was a sinus infection. The doctor advised her to take cold and flu pills.

But five days passed and her symptoms had not improved. Her cough had gotten worse, it was constant and aggressive.

“Then I woke up and coughed up the smallest bit of blood,” she told 7NEWS.com.au.

Steph Ogden, 19, (pictured) was diagnosed with stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma earlier this year. Credit: DELIVERED

“There was no concern (I thought) it made sense because I was coughing very badly. I thought I might have ruptured a blood vessel. “

When she mentioned the blood to her mother, she had to see a doctor at the hospital.

After an X-ray and PT exam, it was obvious that it was worse than just a sinus infection.

Steph had pneumonia, pneumonia, and Hodgkin lymphoma in stage two.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that spreads throughout the body via the lymphatic system.

“They thought it might be phase three, luckily I got it early,” said Steph.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that spreads throughout the body via the lymphatic system. (Pictured: Steph in the hospital) Credit: DELIVERED

“Mainly it was my lungs. The day I was diagnosed was the day I started chemotherapy, I didn’t get a chance to freeze my eggs or do anything like that. “

Her diagnosis went so quickly that it took Steph a while to process it properly.

“Because I lost my father in a helicopter crash in late 2019, I was really good at dealing with overwhelming news.

“On the day I was told I didn’t process it for a good month, I think.

Steph on the last day of her four month chemotherapy session. Credit: DELIVERED

“When I was told I had lymphoma, I thought, ‘Oh,’ I wasn’t really scared until I probably lost my hair a month later, then it really hit me right away.”

Steph has undergone four months of chemotherapy. She will start radiotherapy at the end of June.

For the next five years, she will need to have regular checkups to make sure the cancer has not returned.

Steph’s warning

The Brisbane teen urges others to make sure they get examined if they have any health concerns.

“Go get the answer and be comfortable knowing you are fine.”

Steph credits her mother Michelle for discovering cancer early and helping her over the past few months.

Steph didn’t have most of the symptoms associated with Hodgkin lymphoma, including swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss.

Steph credits her mother Michelle (both pictured) for discovering cancer early and helping it over the past few months. Credit: DELIVERED

Her symptoms were minor. Steph thought for weeks that she was struggling with a cold or sinus infection.

“I’m like, ‘Oh, she’ll be right’, I wouldn’t have got it if it wasn’t for mom,” she said.

“Mom was definitely the greatest help, she was always there. When I had my treatment, my mother took time out to look after me. She went into mom mode. “

Steph admits that she “had her moments” throughout the treatment but managed to stay positive and upbeat thanks to her incredible support system.

She said it helped her maintain a positive attitude.

What is Hodgkin Lymphoma?

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that spreads throughout the body through the lymphatic system.

It’s most common in people between the ages of 15 and 29.

Symptoms include:

• Swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin area
• shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Inexplicable weight loss
• Night sweats
• fever
• Severe itching