Texas Teen Discovers Lump in Neck is Cancer

A teenager from Texas has shared her story about how a lump in her neck, initially thought to be a lingering cold symptom, turned out to be cancer.

In January 2025, 17-year-old Makaila Chenier noticed a small lump in her neck but brushed it off, thinking it was just a swollen lymph node from her cold.

However, as the lump grew larger in the months leading up to her high school graduation and she began experiencing difficulties breathing when lying down, she decided it was time to see a doctor.

Her mother, Christina Chenier, recalls Makaila saying, “Look, the lump on my neck has gotten a lot bigger. I can feel it. It’s on the other side now, and I feel like I’m being choked when I lay down.”

After a referral to an ear, nose, and throat specialist, the severity of Makaila’s condition prompted the doctor to advise an immediate trip to the emergency department.

“There was definitely a sense of urgency that we picked up on very quickly in the appointments. We knew something wasn’t quite right,” Christina reflected.

At the emergency department, Makaila underwent several tests, including an ultrasound and a CT scan. These tests confirmed she had Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer that impacts the lymphatic system, which is integral to the body’s immune functions.

The lymphatic system spans across the body and includes components like bone marrow, the spleen, and lymph nodes. Hodgkin lymphoma diminishes the body’s ability to fend off infections.

Makaila later told PEOPLE, “It was very hard because it was like everything changed literally overnight. It was just a little lump.”

After her diagnosis, which is anticipated to affect around 8,700 people in the U.S. this year, Makaila was transferred to Texas Children’s Hospital for further testing. A biopsy revealed the cancer was at stage 2, indicating it had spread to two or more clusters of lymph nodes on the same side of her body.

The survival rate for stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma is estimated to be between 93% and 95%. However, the American Cancer Society predicts there will be around 1,150 fatalities from this cancer type this year.

Christina vividly remembers the moment they received the news, saying, “I’m not sure why I thought to look at my watch, but 8:02 pm on Friday, February 18, 2025, will be permanently etched in my memory because that was the moment when everything changed.”

She added, “All of a sudden we were playing a completely different game and everything was completely upside down.”

Due to concerns about airway obstruction linked to the lump, Makaila was admitted to the intensive care unit. Christina stated, “They were concerned that she may have trouble breathing at any point. They felt it was the best place for her.”

Common symptoms of Hodgkin lymphoma can include swelling of lymph nodes, fever, fatigue, night sweats, and weight loss. Treatment generally entails two to four rounds of chemotherapy along with radiation, which doctors recommended Mikaila start about ten days post-diagnosis.

As of now, she has completed her seventh round of chemotherapy and has five more to go, with treatment expected to conclude by August 1. Currently, she receives infusions every two weeks.

Unfortunately, the frequent treatments and their side effects forced Makaila to quit school, and she is now being homeschooled. She shared, “Initially it was a lot of tiredness. I slept probably for the whole next day. I get really bad nerve pain in my jaw and my tongue, and I also get bone pain in my legs.”

Nonetheless, one important milestone was something she didn’t want to miss. “They let me do graduation because that’s once in a lifetime,” Makaila expressed.

After completing her graduation and finishing chemotherapy, she plans to take a gap year before pursuing her dream of becoming a pediatric nurse.

Throughout her journey, she has maintained a positive outlook, saying, “I’ve been staying really positive through it all and I’ve learned that really helps get through it because they say time flies when you’re having fun. I try to have as much fun as I can and make the best out of it, which has really helped.”