Wollongong nurse, 31, diagnosed with aggressive lymphoma
Maddy Hodge discovered a chest mass during a routine check at work and was diagnosed with mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, an aggressive non-Hodgkin form.
The 31-year-old Wollongong nurse mentioned mild chest pain to colleagues at work, suspecting a muscle strain from boxing. Maddy's colleagues urged her to get it checked, leading to a chest X-ray that revealed a mass.
A biopsy confirmed aggressive lymphoma. The tumour is inoperable and too close to her heart for radiation, leaving chemotherapy as the only treatment option.
Maddy's fiancé Rayn works at BlueScope full-time while caring for their three children, aged 5, 4 and 2. The family had just bought a house, adding financial pressure.
Her sister Emily says a PET scan showed the cancer hasn't spread and doctors believe treatment has a good chance of success. The six-month treatment is expected to leave Maddy unable to work for an uncertain period.
- 31
- Age
- Nurse at Wollongong Private Hospital
- Occupation
- Mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma
- Diagnosis
- 3 (ages 5, 4, 2)
- Children
Why it mattersThe discovery during a casual workplace check shows the value of getting unexplained symptoms assessed, and highlights the financial toll cancer places on working families.
AustraliaA NSW health worker's diagnosis and treatment journey reflects the personal and family costs of cancer diagnosis in young Australians.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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