I blamed my shoulder pain on sleeping funny. For a month, a massage gun helped... then a sudden symptom proved the worst. I was so shocked, I couldn't even cry
Daily Mail • • health
Key Points:
- Callie Matalas, a 39-year-old teacher from Chicago, experienced severe left arm pain and a persistent cough starting in August 2025, which she initially attributed to a muscle spasm.
- After noticing visual disturbances and worsening arm pain, she sought medical help, leading to a CT scan that revealed a four-inch tumor near her left lung.
- In October 2025, Matalas was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), a cancer of the lymphatic system, which is rare in her age group and often diagnosed in older adults.
- Since November 2025, she has undergone six rounds of chemotherapy and is awaiting a PET scan to assess treatment effectiveness, while coping with the emotional and physical challenges of cancer and motherhood.
- Matalas urges others, especially young people, to advocate for their health and seek medical attention if they notice unusual symptoms, emphasizing the importance of persistence in getting proper care.
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