Sutton Coldfield Woman's Cancer Battle After Doctors Initially Dismissed Symptoms
Kelly Underwood, a 25-year-old from Sutton Coldfield, is courageously fighting stage four cancer after doctors repeatedly told her "nothing was wrong" during multiple visits over several months. Her journey highlights the critical importance of persistent medical advocacy and the devastating impact of delayed diagnosis.
Months of Dismissed Symptoms Lead to Stage Four Diagnosis
Between May and September of last year, Kelly visited doctors six times with concerning symptoms including a growing lump in her neck, swollen eyes, extreme fatigue, and itchy skin on her hands. Each time, her concerns were dismissed as a simple infection that would resolve on its own.
"At 24, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma after months of being told nothing was wrong," Kelly explained. "By the time I was finally taken seriously, my life had completely changed."
It was only when one doctor finally ordered an ultrasound that alarm bells began ringing. The scan revealed raised lymph nodes in her neck, leading to the devastating diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma that had already progressed to stage four.
Intensive Treatment and Wedding Dreams
Kelly underwent six cycles of escalated chemotherapy over four months, a treatment she describes as "so intense it takes everything from you." Tragically, the chemotherapy did not fully work, leaving her facing the next phase of her battle.
Now, Kelly must relocate over 100 miles to Manchester for specialist radiation therapy at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. She is scheduled to receive daily treatment for nearly a month starting next week.
Amid this medical crisis, Kelly and her partner Olivia Read, 28, are planning their wedding. The couple got engaged when Kelly was first diagnosed, with Kelly proposing earlier than planned due to the seriousness of her condition.
"The night before she was due to be admitted to hospital, she quickly proposed to me because she didn't want to do it when she didn't feel or look like herself," Olivia revealed. The proposal happened in a Costa drive-thru near their home when a hospital bed became available unexpectedly.
Financial Strain and Community Support
Cancer has taken a tremendous toll on Kelly's life. "Cancer has taken so much from me already," she shared. "My health. My independence. My hair. My fertility. The chance to feel like a 'normal' young woman."
Unable to work and facing the additional financial burden of relocating for treatment, the couple launched a GoFundMe appeal to help cover wedding costs and medical expenses. The fundraiser raised more than £1,000 in its first 24 hours.
"A wedding feels completely out of reach — yet it's the one thing that would bring us joy, hope, and something to hold onto through all of this," Kelly said emotionally.
Looking Forward with Hope
The couple plans a small wedding in 2027, possibly in a historic location or forest setting with just family and close friends. "We want some normality and something to focus on," Olivia explained.
Kelly is documenting her cancer journey on TikTok to show others that help is available, and the couple has also raised funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust, which has provided crucial support throughout their ordeal.
If the radiation therapy proves unsuccessful, doctors will explore a stem cell transplant, which would require finding a close match. Through all the challenges, Kelly maintains a determined perspective: "You can either get on with it being sad or depressed or take it at face value."
Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of trusting one's instincts when it comes to health concerns and the resilience of the human spirit in facing life's most difficult challenges.
