A beloved TV news presenter has shared her battle with a rare, aggressive and late-stage form of cancer after discovering a “small lump” while showering.
Latvian Ngarrindjeri Michelle Aleksandrovics Lovegrove was diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a A fast-growing blood cancer that has a five-year survival rate of 33 percent.
The former news anchor shared her battle with cancer in a series of videos posted Monday to her ‘Changing Life with Lymphoma’ YouTube channel.
Lovegrove explained that he saw the lump on the right side of his groin while he was showering, but “quickly forgot about it.”
Latvian Ngarrindjeri Michelle Aleksandrovics Lovegrove (pictured) said she noticed a “small lump” in the moan area that grew four times its size in just five days.
“It didn’t hurt, it moved, there was no swelling and it wasn’t red,” Lovegrove said.
“I thought ‘this is weird’ and I thought it was a small cyst and I said ‘I’ll keep an eye on it’ and quickly forgot about it.”
But suddenly the lump grew four times its size in just five days.
When she found another lump on the left side of her body, Lovegrove immediately made an appointment with her family doctor.
He admitted that he “got very worried” but still didn’t believe the lump was cancer and simply thought it was the symptom of a hernia.
Lovegrove also ruled out other symptoms, such as bedsheet-soaking night sweats, which she believed were caused by menopause.
“I had other definable signs, like incredibly bad night sweats (to be honest, I put them down to menopause), crushing fatigue, which I put down to other things, and then incredibly itchy,” Ms Lovegrove said.
Her doctor immediately scheduled her for an ultrasound, CT scan, and core biopsy to determine the cause of her lumps.
After three core biopsies, Ms. Lovegrove was diagnosed with stage 4B non-Hodgkin T-cell lymphoma and was quickly started on chemotherapy treatment.
The former radio and television host was diagnosed with stage 4B angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, a fast-growing blood cancer that has a five-year survival rate of 33 percent.
Ms Lovegrove explained that her treatment includes six rounds of ‘quite aggressive chemotherapy and many other medications.
Because lymphoma is “resistant” and has an 80 percent relapse rate within the first 12 months, he said he will also undergo more chemotherapy along with a stem cell or bone marrow transplant.
Ms Lovegrove urged others to seek medical attention if they notice any problems with their body, even if it is “as simple as a small lump”.
“All I want to say is that it was as simple as a little lump… I’m so glad I went to the doctor,” Mrs Lovegrove said.
‘So if there is a problem, you are their best advocate. You know your body best. Have it seen to your satisfaction because no one will take care of you like you will.
In another video shared on her YouTube channel, Ms Lovegrove recorded the moment her friend shaved her hair.
‘Like many other women, I don’t want to see hair all over the pillow. “I don’t want to pull out a bunch of hair,” said Mrs Lovegrove.
Lovegrove is documenting her battle with cancer on her YouTube channel. In one video, she shares the moment her friend shaves her hair (pictured).
Friend and former colleague, SBS News and Current Affairs Editorial Operations Manager, Dr. Florencia Isabel Melgar Hourcade, created a GoFundMe for Mrs. Lovegrove.
‘Let’s support an extraordinary woman!’ Dr. Hourcade wrote.
‘Michelle is a proud Australian Ngarrindjeri woman, a loving mother and aunt, a respected journalist and broadcaster and a loyal friend to many.
‘His life has been a testament to his resilience and commitment to helping others tell their unique stories to the country.
‘Michelle’s personal story is now about the hardest battle of her life, and she needs your help!’
Dr. Hourcade explained that the funds will go toward any expenses related to Ms. Lovegrove’s medical treatment and recovery.
As of this writing, the fund has received 31 donations totaling $4,325 and aims to raise $30,000.
Ms Lovegrove appeared on Australian commercial television and radio in three states and worked as a national broadcaster on ABC News Radio, news presenter on NITV and executive producer of Living Black Radio on SBS for 10 years.
He currently serves as a Senior Communications Officer at the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council.