She’s now issued a warning to others 😢💔

Courtney Liniewski, a 34-year-old mother from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, once dismissed the sharp back pain she felt as a consequence of sitting too long. But what she initially thought was nothing more than fatigue or a sedentary job turned out to be a life-threatening illness. Today, she shares her story to raise awareness about a symptom many might overlook.

At the end of 2021, Courtney began experiencing intermittent but intense pain beneath her shoulder blades, in the mid-sternum area of her back. “I just thought I wasn’t moving enough,” she explained, believing her discomfort was related to her desk job. Over the following weeks, additional symptoms appeared: hearing loss in her left ear and a constantly runny nose. While these “weird symptoms” worried her, she didn’t immediately connect them to anything serious.

In January 2022, a startling moment jolted her awake—a loud bang in her head. Later that morning, she noticed facial drooping. A colleague rushed her to the emergency room, fearing a stroke. Brain scans came back normal, and with her history of migraines and anxiety, she was sent home.

A month later, her health worsened. Chest pain left her breathless after even a single flight of stairs. During a vacation in Mexico, she discovered a 4.1 cm lump on her neck. This lump became the crucial clue that led doctors to a diagnosis: Grade 3B Follicular Lymphoma, a rare type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Typically slow-growing and more common in adults around 60, this cancer was aggressive in her case, and without treatment, could have been fatal within a month.

Luckily, Courtney received timely care and is now three years cancer-free. Still vigilant, she keeps regular appointments with her oncologist, knowing the cancer could return.

“I think people should know that it’s okay to advocate for yourself if something is wrong,” Courtney told Unilad. Her experience underscores the importance of paying attention to unusual symptoms, even when they seem minor.

From back pain to a neck lump, Courtney’s story is a powerful reminder that listening to your body—and insisting on medical attention—can save your life. Today, she hopes her journey encourages others to recognize red flags early and seek care promptly.