Meet Ellys

Ellys shares how yoga and nutritional support were important in helping gain her confidence back after being diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma. Her message to others: Even if you think you’re so alone, you never are and the support is there to help meet l

I am Ellys, 24 years old. I love socialising with my friends, grabbing coffee on the weekends and baking!

I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. I was a rare case where my symptoms included a swollen face and debilitating shoulder pain which meant the doctors did not diagnose me for a really long time. I was in hospital for 3 very scary and very long weeks which is when it felt like my world was just tipped upside down.

My clinical nurse referred me to the Ella Dawson Foundation and the support I have received has made such a difference. I felt lost and felt so alone like I was the only young person to go through this. I felt like I had nowhere to turn to. Prior to the Ella Dawson Foundation, I was unaware of the amazing support they can provide.

The eat well sessions helped me gain confidence in what I was eating again. I have such a passion for cooking and baking which I felt with the treatment I was losing due to weight loss and appetite changes. However, the eat well sessions provided me such important nutritional lessons. I will be forever grateful for my move well sessions with Katy, I have found strength in being able to move my body again even if that was just an hour of yoga a week on my bed. Having that focused time each week carved out to relax and move my body was great.

I have now gained so much of my confidence back and a year after receiving the diagnosis I am back to my normal/usual self.

Even if you think you’re so alone, you never are and the support is there to help meet likeminded people and services which bring light even in darkness.