In a remarkable turn of events, a woman from Banbury, Oxfordshire, credits her life-saving diagnosis of leukaemia to an unexpected reaction during a lip filler procedure. Edita Jucaite, a 36-year-old dental nurse, experienced a sudden and concerning swelling of her lip that led to the discovery of her underlying condition.

During a routine dermal filler appointment in April 2023, where she also received Botox injections, Edita's lip ballooned dramatically after the injection. "It was alarming," she recounted. "The filler entered my lip, and it swelled up immediately." Edita was modeling for her dentist colleague, who was gaining hands-on experience under the guidance of Dr. Brian Franks, a known trainer in cosmetic procedures.

Dr. Franks and his assistant quickly recognized that something was off. "The swelling was not typical and appeared in a location not aligned with the injection site," he noted, adding that he had never seen such a reaction in his practice before. Despite their concerns, Edita hesitated to seek medical advice at first.

However, when bruising spread to her mouth and she noticed unexplained weight loss—a fact highlighted by a concerned colleague who had lost her sister to cancer—she finally decided to consult her GP. Her research on symptoms led her to suspect leukaemia, which proved to be a haunting yet necessary intuition.

A quick turn of events followed; after a blood test, she was alarmed to hear from her doctor that leukaemia was a strong possibility, and she had to head straight to the hospital. "It was awful—a total shock. I couldn’t think straight or focus on anything other than the fear of dying," she shared.

Upon diagnosis at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, Edita was determined to tackle her chronic myeloid leukaemia—a condition that, while serious, is manageable with treatment. She promptly began chemotherapy and then transitioned to taking Imatinib, a medication she’ll need for life.

Dr. Georgia Papacleovoulou, head of policy and advocacy at Leukaemia UK, emphasized how crucial it is to recognize the signs of leukaemia. "Unexplained bruising can often be overlooked," she explained. "Many people don’t make the connection until it’s too late." Amazingly, Edita’s situation is rare—only 37% of patients get diagnosed after feeling severely unwell.

Reflecting on her ordeal, Edita said, "Not many people can claim that lip fillers saved their life, but that's my reality." She expressed profound gratitude towards Dr. Franks and her colleague for their intervention. "Without their timely encouragement for me to seek help, I could have put off the visit, leading to a far more severe situation that would have made treatment much more difficult."

Edita’s story is a testament to the sometimes unexpected ways our health can reveal itself, serving as an important reminder to listen to our bodies. She’s now using her experience to raise awareness about the symptoms of leukaemia and the importance of seeking medical advice when signs arise.

Her close call has given her a new perspective on life, prompting her to appreciate every moment. "I may have had a scary journey, but I made it through, and I'm thankful for that."

Stay tuned for more incredible stories of survival and resilience!