A beloved TV news presenter has shared her battle with a late-stage, aggressive and rare form of cancer after discovering a ‘little lump’ while showering.
Ngarrindjeri Latvian woman Michelle Aleksandrovics Lovegrove was diagnosed with Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma – a fast-growing blood cancer which has a five-year survival rate of 33 per cent.
The former news presenter has shared her battle with cancer in a series of videos posted on Monday to her YouTube channel ‘Changing Life with Lymphoma’.
Ms Lovegrove explained she spotted the lump on the right-hand side of her groin while showering but ‘promptly forgot about it’.
Ngarrindjeri Latvian woman Michelle Aleksandrovics Lovegrove (pictured) said she noticed a ‘little lump’ on her groan area which grew four times the size in just five days
‘It didn’t hurt, it moved around, there was no swelling and it wasn’t red,’ Ms Lovegrove said.
‘I thought “this is weird” and I thought it was a little cyst and I went “I’ll keep an eye on that” and promptly forgot about it.’
But the lump then suddenly grew four times its size in just five days.
When she then found another lump on the left side of her body, Ms Lovegrove immediately scheduled an appointment with her GP.
She admitted she ‘got really worried’ but still did not believe the lump was cancer and simply thought it was the symptom of a hernia.
Ms Lovegrove also dismissed other symptoms including bedsheet-drenching night sweats – which she believed was caused by menopause.
‘I had other definable signs such as incredible drenching night sweats – to be honest I put down to menopause – crushing fatigue, which I put down to other stuff and then later incredible itching,’ Ms Lovegrove said.
Her doctor immediately booked her in for an ultrasound, CT scan and a core biopsy to determine the cause of her lumps.
After three core biopsies, Ms Lovegrove was diagnosed with stage 4B Non-Hodgkin’s T-Cell Lymphoma and was quickly put on chemotherapy treatment.
The former radio and television presenter was diagnosed with stage 4B Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma – a fast-growing blood cancer which has a five-year survival rate of 33 per cent
Ms Lovegrove explained her treatment includes six rounds of ‘pretty aggressive chemo and a lot of other meds’.
Because the Lymphoma is ‘stubborn’ and has an 80 per cent relapse rate within the first 12 months, she said she will also be undergoing more chemotherapy along with a stem cell or bone marrow transplant.
Ms Lovegrove urged others to seek medical attention if they notice anything wrong with their body, even if it is ‘as simple as a little lump’.
‘All I want to say is that it was as simple as a little lump… I am so glad I went to the doctor,’ Ms Lovegrove said.
‘So if there is anything wrong, you are your best advocate. You know your body the best. Get it seen to your satisfaction because no one is going to look after you like you will.’
In another video shared to her YouTube channel, Ms Lovegrove recorded the moment her friend shaved her hair to a buzz cut.
‘Like many other women I don’t wish to see hair all over my pillow. I don’t wish to be pulling out handfuls of hair,’ Ms Lovegrove said.
Ms Lovegrove is documenting her cancer battle on her YouTube channel. In one video, she shares the moment her friend shaves her hair (pictured)
Friend and former colleague SBS Editorial Operations Manager for News and Current Affairs Dr Florencia Isabel Melgar Hourcade set up a GoFundMe for Ms Lovegrove.
‘Let’s get behind an extraordinary woman!’ Dr Hourcade wrote.
‘Michelle is a proud Ngarrindjeri Australian woman, a loving mum and aunty, a respected journalist and broadcaster, and a loyal friend to many.
‘Her life has been a testament to her resilience and commitment to helping others tell their unique stories to the country.
‘Michelle’s personal story is now about the toughest battle of her life, and she needs your help!’
Dr Hourcade explained the funds will go towards any expenses related to Ms Lovegrove’s medical treatment and recovery.
At the time of writing, the fund has received 31 donations totalling $4,325 and aims to raise $30,000.
Ms Lovegrove graced Australia’s commercial television and radio across three states and worked as a national broadcaster at ABC News Radio, news presenter at NITV and as the executive producer of Living Black Radio at SBS for 10 years.
She currently serves as the Senior Communications Officer at the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council.
