Troy Winfield from Barnsley was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2024. Now in remission, Troy is supporting Lymphoma Action’s Let’s talk lymphoma campaign during Blood Cancer Awareness month in September by sharing his story to raise the profile of lymphoma as the UK’s fifth most common cancer.

Troy’s story

“Just before my lymphoma diagnosis, I was working as a HR Business Partner for an organisation in the independent health and social care sector. I was also part-way through my MSc in Human Resources Management and Training, so it was a busy time workwise. Outside of work, I enjoyed travelling, swimming, walking, cycling, reading and gaming. I had a holiday just around the corner which I was really looking forward to but unfortunately was unable to go on.

Towards the end of October 2024, I was experiencing pain, swelling and discomfort in my left arm. I wouldn’t normally have been concerned, as it felt like a typical trapped nerve that we can all experience when we’ve slept on it a bit funny. What set this apart, however, was that the arm had a reddish/purplish hue when compared to my other arm. It was quite subtle, but my instinct was telling me that there was something untoward happening.

I made plans to visit my GP and managed to get in quite promptly. I couldn’t initially get an appointment and I know that many people are concerned that it is not always easy to see a GP. When the GP practice was initially unable to offer me an appointment; I found that discussing my symptoms with 111 was really helpful and I was able to see a GP the next day. The GP examined me and was not initially concerned until I showed him the raised veins visible on my chest. The GP didn’t think it was a blood clot, but with the symptoms on my chest and plans to travel they said it was probably fine, but just to be sure they sent me off to the A&E department at my local hospital.

The first doctor I met with at A&E also said that it was unlikely to be a blood clot, but ran a test anyway. However, the results indicated that it was likely that I had a blood clot, and I was told to come back a few days later for an ultrasound scan on my arm. The scan didn’t show a clot in that area, but just to be sure, the doctor requested a CT scan.

I actually received my results very quickly. A lovely Healthcare Assistant who had been supporting me all day came to find me in the waiting room and took me to another room that already had two doctors sitting at the desk. I felt an immediate sinking feeling and, without thinking, asked ‘it’s cancer isn’t it’? I felt like I wasn’t in my own body, like I was watching someone else as the conversation unfolded and I was told I had a 10cm mass in my mediastinum (the space in the chest that contains the heart). The doctor said the tumour was highly likely to be cancerous, and that it was pressing on an important vein which caused a blood clot in my chest as a complication.

I was actually admitted to hospital at this point to undergo the testing and diagnostic process. I had a biopsy and a PET scan and met my first haematology consultant who told me that they suspected I had lymphoma. They advised that the results can take some time to come back but it was important to determine the type of lymphoma I had, as there are so many variations of the condition. It was a really difficult time, as the waiting was agonising. Every day I would ask the consultant on their ward round whether there was any new information. I guess that, despite being a patient on a cancer ward, I still had hope it could be something else and every day I was becoming more and more anxious.

Roughly two weeks after my hospital admission, in November 2024, I was diagnosed with stage two high-grade primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. I was obviously upset when I received the diagnosis, but I also felt an element of relief. I now knew what it was, and what my treatment pathway would look like. I was told that the prognosis was good and felt reassured that there was a plan to follow.

Troy

I was told that my treatment would involve six cycles of a chemotherapy regimen called R-CHOP, with each letter representing a different drug (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone). I had a detailed session with a Clinical Nurse Specialist who talked me through each of the drugs, why they were needed, what they would do and the potential side effects. We had frank conversations about hair loss, and the potential impact of the treatment on my fertility. I also had a further conversation about treatment side effects with a doctor in a ‘consent for treatment’ appointment. They explained that the potential benefits of treatment outweighed the risks, but that treatment would impact my immune system so I was given a red card, with details of a 24 hour line I could call if I experienced certain side effects relating to low immunity.

As I was really well informed on the side effects, nothing that followed came as a complete surprise. I experienced fatigue, nausea and constipation during my treatment, along with changes to taste, increased appetite and mood swings. I had regular appointments with the consultant and some of the medications were adjusted to suit me better. For example, one of the anti-sickness medications was causing other symptoms, so this was swapped for another one.

Towards the end of chemotherapy, I started to develop tingling in my fingers and was told that I had likely developed peripheral neuropathy due to one of the drugs. The consultant carefully considered whether they would adjust the dosages of the medication but it was decided to continue as planned. I found the tingling improved a few months after my last R-CHOP cycle.

In March 2025 I had another PET/CT scan and was told that I had reached complete remission. This was so reassuring and a huge relief to my family and I. We swiftly got in the car and rushed off to grab some fish and chips in the spur of the moment. We had a lovely afternoon!

Throughout my diagnosis and treatment, the information and support available from Lymphoma Action has been a great help. The Facebook Support Group was really useful for connecting with others in similar circumstances and following their stories. Because my lymphoma type is quite rare, I was worried I wouldn’t find many people who had the same diagnosis, but I was surprised to find that there were many people with same type of lymphoma as me who were able to share some reassuring comments and experiences.

I went on to attend a number of special focus support meetings, which were helpful for getting information on things like fatigue and nutrition, and I also signed up to Online Support Meetings for newly diagnosed people and, later on, for those in remission. Meeting virtually was a great way to meet others with similar experiences and feel part of a wider community.

A few months later after reaching remission, I attended a Live your Life workshop which was a really useful session in helping me to accept what has happened and move forward with my life in a positive way.

I now have regular appointments with my consultant to ensure everything is OK. I had some further tests recently that all came back clear which was really reassuring. I am back to work full-time and have been progressing with my master’s degree, which is now at the dissertation stage. Whilst life is very busy, I have learned from this experience that making time for wellbeing is important. It’s taken me quite some time to build the confidence to travel again but I am looking forward to my first holiday abroad since my diagnosis. I have a new found appreciation for enjoying every moment. It feels like I am seeing and experiencing things for the first time and I am trying not to take anything for granted.

Before this experience, I only ever thought there was one kind of blood cancer, leukaemia, and that this only affected young adults or children. When I was told I might have lymphoma, I had no idea that this meant cancer. The symptoms I was experiencing weren’t immediately making me think I could have cancer either and I can see how someone with those symptoms might not seek help. That is why I am sharing my story, as raising awareness about blood cancer is so important. As with many cancers, early detection and treatment can be key so it is so important to be informed on common symptoms to look out for. Of course, these symptoms don’t always mean cancer, but it is well worth discussing them with a GP or health professional to get reassurance. It’s also important to raise awareness of the work of charities like Lymphoma Action and the support they give to people experiencing a blood cancer diagnosis. I am indebted to this charity for their support during the hardest time of my life, and for their continued support to this day.”

Lymphoma Action is the only charity in the UK dedicated to supporting people affected by lymphoma. This Blood Cancer Awareness Month, the Charity is inviting everyone to join the conversation about lymphoma to raise awareness about this type of blood cancer, and help even more people affected by the condition. For further details, please visit: www.lymphoma-action.org.uk/BCAM