In January 2022, Courtney Liniewski, a 34-year-old crisis counselor from Wisconsin, experienced stroke-like symptoms but was sent home from the emergency room with a diagnosis of a complex migraine and panic attack. This initial misdiagnosis masked a much more severe reality. Weeks later, a shocking discovery revealed she had a rare and incurable form of cancer, highlighting a critical lesson in medical self-advocacy.
An Alarming Wake-up Call Dismissed
The ordeal began when Courtney woke up to a loud bang in her head, followed by a drooped face the next morning. Concerned about a potential stroke, her colleague rushed her to the hospital.
Despite the concerning symptoms, all her initial scans and blood tests came back normal. Doctors pointed to her history of migraines and anxiety. They diagnosed her with a complex migraine and panic attack and sent her home. Liniewski found this strange, telling Newsweek, “I didn’t have a headache that day.”
She felt the diagnosis was too easy and familiar, but being alone during COVID protocols, she lacked the confidence to push for more answers.
Weeks of Worsening Health
In the weeks that followed, Courtney’s health rapidly deteriorated. The initial symptoms were replaced by a host of new, more severe issues that she couldn’t ignore.
She began suffering from extreme fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Her symptoms grew to include:
- Significant and unexplained weight loss
- Drenching night sweats
- Severe back pain that would come and go
- Nightly hearing loss in her left ear
The hearing loss was caused by a swollen lymph node pressing on a vein. “I remember thinking, ‘I really wish I could just get a chest X-ray,’” she recalled. However, she was scared to go back to the doctor, fearing she would be dismissed again.
A Life-Saving Discovery on Vacation
The turning point came unexpectedly during a family vacation to Mexico in February 2022. While away, Courtney discovered a noticeable 4.1 cm lump on her neck. She described this moment as the thing that “truly saved my life.”
She believes her immune system reacted to the stress of travel, finally creating a visible sign that something was seriously wrong. This tangible evidence was the catalyst she needed to seek further medical help upon her return.
That lump prompted doctors to conduct more tests, which uncovered a grapefruit-sized mass in her chest, measuring an alarming 11.6 x 8.3 cm.
The Shocking Diagnosis and Aggressive Treatment
Courtney was diagnosed with Grade 3B Follicular Lymphoma, a rare and incurable type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This cancer is typically found in older white men, making her case highly unusual. While follicular lymphoma is often slow-growing, hers was dangerously aggressive.
Doctors told her that without immediate intervention, she would have died within months. Just 12 days after her diagnosis, she started an intensive chemotherapy regimen known as R-CHOP. After six rounds of the neurotoxic treatment, she is now in remission.
She is currently on a “watch and wait” protocol, undergoing scans and lab work every three months to monitor for the cancer’s return.
A Mission to Empower Others
Reflecting on her experience, Courtney believes that while her migraine was real, her medical history of anxiety led to a premature dismissal of her other symptoms. “Given my history, it felt like they dismissed me too soon,” she said.
Now, she uses her TikTok platform, @cancercourtney, to share her story and warn others. Her post detailing the misdiagnosis has been viewed over 208,000 times, resonating with many who have felt unheard by medical professionals.
Her message is clear and urgent. “If something feels wrong, keep pushing. Get second, third, even fourth opinions,” she urges. “Don’t let fear or stigma silence you—especially as a woman with anxiety. Use your voice. Be loud. You might save your own life.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Courtney Liniewski’s initial symptoms?
Her initial symptoms included a loud bang in her head and a droop on one side of her face, which are often associated with a stroke. However, she was misdiagnosed with a complex migraine and a panic attack.
What is Grade 3B Follicular Lymphoma?
Grade 3B Follicular Lymphoma is a rare and aggressive type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a cancer that starts in the white blood cells. While follicular lymphoma is often slow-growing (indolent), Grade 3B behaves more like a fast-growing (aggressive) lymphoma and requires immediate, intensive treatment.
What symptoms developed after the initial misdiagnosis?
After being sent home, she developed chest pain, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, night sweats, significant weight loss, severe back pain, and nightly hearing loss in her left ear due to a swollen lymph node.
How is Courtney Liniewski doing now?
After undergoing six rounds of aggressive R-CHOP chemotherapy, she is currently in remission. She is being closely monitored by her medical team every three months to watch for any signs of the cancer returning.
What is her main advice for other patients?
She strongly advises people to trust their instincts when something feels wrong with their body. She encourages everyone, especially women with a history of anxiety, to keep pushing for answers, get multiple opinions, and not let fear or stigma prevent them from advocating for their own health.
