A 13-year-old girl vacationing in Spain was surprised to learn she had a rare type of cancer after initially mistaking her symptoms for a common cold.
Billie Williams, a budding model, noticed a lump under her arm during her family trip in July 2022. Initially attributing it to a lingering cold, she later realized the lump was growing in size. Subsequent scans revealed that Billie had Hodgkin lymphoma, an unusual cancer affecting the lymphatic system.
Expressing her disbelief, Billie shared, “It was so surreal. Even though I had a suspicion it could be cancer, the news still shocked me. We were all in tears.” Prior to discovering the lump while on holiday, neither Billie nor her family had any inkling of her health condition.
Upon returning to the UK, Billie and her mother, Emma, visited a GP who advised monitoring the swollen lymph nodes for a month. As the lump continued to enlarge and cause intense pain, further tests and a chest X-ray were conducted, revealing a mass pressing on Billie’s windpipe.
Emma recounted her emotional response upon learning about Billie’s diagnosis, expressing deep shock and devastation. Subsequently, Billie received support from the Teenage Cancer Trust unit and commenced chemotherapy in September 2022, just weeks after her vacation.
While the initial treatment phase posed challenges, including adverse reactions to medication and hospitalization, Billie persevered through blood transfusions and multiple rounds of chemotherapy. By late December 2022, a follow-up scan indicated that the cancer had vanished, allowing Billie to celebrate Christmas at home.
Despite her triumph over cancer, Billie faced insensitive comments about her appearance upon returning to school, leading her to opt for homeschooling temporarily. Reflecting on her journey, Billie shared how the experience reshaped her perspective, fostering gratitude for everyday activities like showering and eating.
Now back in school and returning to modeling, Billie has entered the Miss Teen Great Britain competition, aiming to inspire others with her resilience and self-confidence. Encouraging those battling cancer, she emphasized the importance of self-assurance and the belief that beauty transcends physical challenges.