A young man, Jay Shew, diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma at just 21, is using his story to raise awareness about recognizing and acting on unusual symptoms. His powerful message highlights the importance of listening to your body and seeking medical attention early.
Hodgkin’s lymphoma, as explained by Mayo Clinic, is a cancer affecting the lymphatic system, a critical part of the body’s immune system. When healthy cells in this system mutate and grow uncontrollably, it leads to this life-threatening disease.
Read his live video story here.
Shew’s symptoms began in August 2023. Despite feeling fine initially, his doctor noted high calcium levels in his blood – an early red flag. He ignored this at first, but soon other signs began to surface, such as significant weight loss, extreme paleness, and back pain so severe it woke him in the middle of the night. Night sweats became so intense he thought he had wet the bed.
“I didn’t even realize how much weight I was losing, or how pale I had become,” Shew explained in his viral TikTok video that now has over 610,000 views. “The back pain felt like my lower spine was breaking, and the chest pain just wouldn’t go away, even with antibiotics.”
Shew also described overwhelming fatigue that left him unable to function. “I’d wake up, and within hours, I was back in bed,” he said. Alongside these symptoms, he experienced dry skin and worsening chest pain, all of which he initially dismissed.
Thankfully, Shew’s treatment ended in July 2023, and he is now doing much better. He’s using his platform to ensure others don’t ignore their bodies’ warning signs, emphasizing that early detection can save lives.
For more on Hodgkin’s lymphoma, its symptoms, and available treatments, visit trusted resources like the American Cancer Society.
