Mum's Year-Long Cancer Battle After Dismissing Symptoms as Menopause
A mother who attributed her persistent symptoms to menopause or environmental changes for nearly a year has revealed she was actually battling a serious cancer diagnosis. Jessica Farrington, 46, experienced night sweats, fatigue, unexplained weight loss and itchy skin while dismissing the warning signs as hormonal changes or water quality issues following a move from Montana to Texas.
The Gradual Realisation of Something Serious
Jessica initially dismissed her symptoms, telling herself: "I was drenched through my pyjamas and sheets – night sweats that I chalked up to possibly perimenopause/menopause because of my age." She attempted various solutions including shower filters and detergent changes when itching developed, still believing menopause might be the culprit.
The turning point came when she discovered a pea-sized lump in her armpit. "It scared the heck out of me, and I immediately knew something wasn't right," Jessica recalled. Despite this realisation, she delayed seeking medical attention, hoping the lump would disappear naturally. When it continued growing, she finally consulted her doctor in December 2024, nearly a year after symptoms first appeared.
The Diagnostic Journey and Stage Four Revelation
Doctors ordered comprehensive testing including blood work, hormone level checks, a mammogram and ultrasound. Initially, results appeared normal with hormone levels showing no menopausal indications and a clear mammogram. However, ultrasound examinations of her lymph nodes raised concerns, leading to a repeat scan in March 2025 that showed significant changes.
A fine needle biopsy confirmed follicular lymphoma, a cancer affecting the lymphatic system. Further testing including flow cytometry blood analysis, bone marrow biopsy and PET scan revealed the disease had spread extensively. Jessica received a stage four diagnosis with involved lymph nodes in her neck, both armpits, around her aorta, abdomen and groin, plus systemic presence in her blood and bone marrow.
Gruelling Treatment and Emotional Toll
Jessica embarked on an intensive six-month treatment regimen involving chemotherapy and immunotherapy administered over two consecutive days every six weeks. She described the experience as "brutal," explaining: "For about a week after each one, I was so physically and emotionally sick that my world shrank down to my bed."
The emotional impact was equally challenging. "There were moments I lay there and honestly didn't know how much more I could take," she confessed. "I didn't know how you're supposed to keep choosing to go back to something that hurts you this much, over and over again."
Remission and Transformed Perspective
Currently in remission, Jessica undergoes maintenance immunotherapy every two months for two years to manage the incurable but treatable condition. Her diagnosis has fundamentally altered her outlook on life. "It changed how I plan, how I think about the future, how I spend my time, and how I define success," she reflected.
"I no longer measure life by productivity or milestones. I measure it by presence. By meaning. By connection," Jessica explained, noting how the experience forced her to confront previously avoided emotions and develop greater self-awareness.
Family Impact and Vital Health Message
The diagnosis profoundly affected Jessica's family, introducing fear into previously stable aspects of their lives while deepening relationships through increased emotional honesty and intentional time together. "We don't take 'ordinary days' for granted anymore," she observed.
Jessica now urges other women to trust their instincts about their health. "Always listen to your body," she advises. "Be so intimately aware of your baseline that if something is off or you have that feeling that something isn't right, get seen by a medical professional. No question or concern is too small, and always advocate for yourself."
Reflecting on her journey nearly two years after symptoms began, Jessica concludes: "I can say that we never know when our time will come – so I choose to keep living no matter what. That's all any of us can do anyway. Keep living!"
