Pregnant Woman’s Unusual Cough Turns Out To Be Cancer

While pregnancy is usually exciting for incoming parents, Ms. Zoe Plastiras experienced some odd symptoms during her final trimester that were undeniably unusual.

Pregnant Woman's Odd Symptoms

24-year-old Plastiras discovered her pregnancy in 2022. While she experienced morning sickness during the early stages of pregnancy, she generally regarded the journey as low-risk, relaxed, and accessible. However, in her 32nd week of pregnancy, she developed shortness of breath and cough due to slight movements.

Several told her it was simply a pregnancy symptom, but Plastiras knew it was no longer normal. She underwent a chest X-ray that revealed a roughly 12-centimeter mass within her chest.

Though the discovery of the mass made Plastiras think about the worst-case scenario, few efforts could be made while she was pregnant. Plastiras had to brave the situation until her child, Ophelia, was born three weeks early on October 4.

Thankfully, Ophelia was born healthy. However, Plastiras had to return to the hospital to undergo surgery. After the surgery, she received a call to tell her that she had lymphoma cancer. Plastiras expressed that by that time, she was ready to hear and receive treatment for it.

After the diagnosis, Plastiras underwent chemotherapy for six rounds and radiotherapy for 18 games. While the journey has been grueling for Plastiras, she will keep pressing for her child and family. Plastiras is set to have another PET scan this October, with hopes that it will confirm remission.

Plastiras, who has gone to social media to reveal cancer realities and has reached out to others in similar situations, now urges pregnant women to seek medical assistance when they go through any odd symptoms. She encourages them not to brush it off to pregnancy.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Cancer

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma affects the body's glands and vessels, also called the lymphatic system. In this condition, the lymphocytes, which are white blood cells, abnormally grow and can build up into tumors across the body.

Symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma include abdominal swelling or pain, swollen lymph nodes in the armpits, neck, or groin, continuous fatigue, chest pain, night sweats, fever, and unexplained weight loss. The most common symptom is considerable painless lymph node swelling in the said areas.

It is quite rare to get a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma during pregnancy. Only one out of 1,000 pregnant women receive this diagnosis.

Estimates indicate that in 2023, roughly 80,550 individuals in the USA will be diagnosed with the condition. The condition is one of the most prevalent cancers across the USA, accounting for approximately 4% of all cancer cases.

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