Mom's Wine Pain Leads to Early Cancer Catch

When Hollie Thursby poured herself a glass of wine, she expected to relax, not feel sharp pain shooting through her neck.

The 28-year-old mother of two from the UK initially brushed off her symptoms as normal postpartum changes. After giving birth to her second son Jack, she experienced itchy skin and exhaustion that seemed typical for any new mom juggling two young children.

But the neck pain after drinking wine was different. "Really quite painful and uncomfortable," Thursby told Kennedy News and Media, describing how even a couple of glasses would trigger the strange reaction.

She also felt like someone was sitting on her chest when she tried to sleep at night. The symptoms persisted until July 2025, when she discovered a large, hard lump on the side of her neck that didn't move.

Doctors diagnosed Thursby with Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma, a form of blood cancer affecting the lymph nodes. The alcohol-related pain she experienced turned out to be a rare but recognized symptom of the disease.

"Pain when you drink alcohol is actually a known side effect of Hodgkin lymphoma," Thursby explained. Experts believe the acidity in wine specifically triggers discomfort in affected lymph nodes, though this reaction has been documented since the 1950s, it remains uncommon.

Why This Inspires

Thursby's willingness to share her story is helping raise awareness about unusual cancer symptoms that many people might dismiss. By speaking publicly about her experience, she's encouraging others to trust their instincts when something feels wrong, even if it seems unrelated to serious illness.

The mother began chemotherapy in November with a clear treatment plan and fierce determination. Having lost her own mother to a blood disorder, Thursby knows what's at stake for her two sons.

"I grew up without a mum, and it was horrendous. I can't do that to the boys," she shared. "I'm just doing everything I can to get better for them."

Her early detection gives her excellent treatment prospects. Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma has strong survival rates when caught and treated promptly, according to Cancer Research UK.

Thursby's message is simple but powerful: listen to your body, advocate for yourself, and never ignore symptoms that feel wrong, no matter how unusual they seem.