Imogen Selvester, from Tamworth, Staffordshire, was rushed to hospital on June 6 after her mother noticed she had turned “yellow”. Chest X-rays revealed that he had a group of tumors. He followed months of waiting for the NHS and missed opportunities to catch the 12-year-old’s cancer early. In February, Imogen went to the GP complaining of itchy skin, night sweats and fatigue. Her mother, Natalie Bloxham, also noticed unusual lumps in her throat. Their doctor considered Imogen to have a viral infection and told them to return three weeks later if her symptoms had not improved. But Imogen caught Covid at the time, and doctors thought her symptoms at the time may have been exacerbated by the pandemic virus. When the lumps in her throat still had not cleared, Imogen was told she needed further examination at the hospital, but the family said it could take up to three months.
Ms Bloxham finally transported her daughter to the hospital in early June after noticing that she had developed jaundice – a sign of her cancer. Doctors initially thought that a lump in Imogen Selvester’s throat was a viral infection. Imogen is pictured here on her 12th birthday But months later, after being rushed to hospital with jaundice, it was finally revealed that Imogen had a rare form of cancer called Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The scans revealed tumors (highlighted in pink) that contained the cancer effectively crushing her heart and trachea and had also spread to other parts of her lymphatic system, a network of blood vessels and glands that had spread throughout her body. The scans revealed a cluster of tumors around the young woman’s heart and trachea that limited the blood and oxygen flowing around her body. Further tests showed that Imogen had stage 3 Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Cancer develops in the lymphatic system, a network of blood vessels and glands throughout the body that usually helps fight infections. It is considered a rare cancer, with only 2,100 cases diagnosed in the UK each year. Three-quarters of patients survive 10 or more years. Since her diagnosis, Imogen has undergone chemotherapy to try to reduce the size of the tumor. Speaking about the test, Ms Bloxham, 34, said her doctor initially thought the bumps on her daughter’s throat were a viral infection.
“I took her to the GP as soon as I noticed [lumps in neck] “And they advised that it could be viral and wait three weeks,” he said. Imogen with her stepfather Martin Turford and her mother Natalie Bloxham. Imogen’s cancer diagnosis was further delayed after she stuck Covid While waiting for further examinations at the hospital, which told the family that it could take up to three months, they transported Imogen to Greece in an effort to cheer her up. After being diagnosed with cancer, Imogen underwent chemotherapy in an effort to shrink tumors The family was informed that Imogen’s condition probably means that she will lose her hair and may have problems having children in the future. A family friend has organized a fundraiser for Imogen to help her buy a wig and support the family financially during this time. Ms Bloxham, who worked as a caregiver before her daughter was diagnosed with cancer, said Covid had delayed the diagnosis. “I waited three weeks and during that time Imogen caught Covid,” he said. “When my GP called, they advised me that Covid could irritate them and make me wait even longer. “After that, they referred her to the hospital for an appointment.” That, said the mother of one child, was when the family was told they could spend three months before being scanned by Imogen.

What is Hodgkin’s lymphoma?

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, a network of blood vessels and glands that spreads throughout the body. The lymphatic system is part of your immune system. A clear fluid called lymph flows through the lymph vessels and contains white blood cells that fight infections, known as lymphocytes. In Hodgkin’s lymphoma, B-lymphocytes (a specific type of lymphocyte) begin to multiply abnormally and begin to accumulate in certain parts of the lymphatic system, such as the lymph nodes (glands). The most common symptom of Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a painless swelling in a lymph node, usually in the neck, armpit or groin. These lumps can also be a sign of infection, but usually return to normal in a short time, while with Hodgkin’s lymphoma they continue to grow. It is usually treated with chemotherapy.
“The general practitioner said they sent him as an emergency, but when I spoke at the hospital they changed it to a routine and it would take three months for an appointment,” he said. At this point the family, completely unaware that it could be cancer, chose to go on holiday to Greece to cheer up Imogen. “I wanted Imogen to have a good time as she had not been herself for a long time,” she added. Just two weeks after returning to the United Kingdom, Ms Bloxham said she noticed her daughter’s condition had worsened. “Imogen turned yellow, had a temperature of 40 and had funny urine,” he said. “I got the first phone call from the doctors on June 6, who saw her immediately.” The doctor said Imogen had jaundice and advised the family to take her to the hospital. Upon arrival, Imgoen’s mother said doctors initially blamed her jaundice on Covid, before scans revealed tumors crushing her heart and trachea.
They tried to blame Imogen who had Covid for the symptoms of jaundice until they did a chest x-ray. “Here they found a cluster of tumors around her heart that tore her trachea.” Ms Bloxham added: “Imogen had five days of intensive chemotherapy as well as steroids to help shrink tumors. “We have been told that Imogen is at high risk for infections and is starting to lose its hair.” Doctors also told the family that Imogen may find it difficult to have children of her own in the future due to chemotherapy. However, Ms Bloxham said her family was “holding on” to the fact that Hodgkin’s lymphoma was considered easily curable, with a 90% success rate. The disease can develop at any age, but is mainly found in people between the ages of 20 and 40 and in people over 75 years. About 300 people die of cancer each year, although 75 percent of those diagnosed survive for more than a decade. In the United States, there are approximately 8,500 new cases of Hodgkin’s lymphoma each year and approximately 950 deaths. A friend of the family, Samantha Dawson, set up a crowdfunding page to help as Mrs. Bloxham was forced to leave her to help their daughter. The money raised will be used to support the family financially as well as to buy Imogen’s wig as she loses her hair due to chemotherapy. People can make donations here.