Enlli Thompson, at 19 years old, began experiencing troubling symptoms in 2024, including changes in her menstrual cycle and severe pain. Initially, her concerns were dismissed, with medical professionals telling her she was fine. The persistent pain led her to seek further medical attention at A&E at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor, where scans revealed what was initially believed to be a cyst in her pelvic area.
She was placed on a monitoring plan and continued working as a trainee mechanic, managing the pain with painkillers. A subsequent call from the hospital for further scans intensified her anxieties, and her fears were confirmed when she was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer, meaning the cancer had spread beyond her pelvis.
The diagnosis also brought the news that she would be unable to have children, a revelation that caused her significant distress. Despite the emotional toll, Thompson expressed a sense of relief upon receiving a diagnosis, as it provided an answer and a clear treatment path.
Following the diagnosis, Enlli underwent fertility treatment, resulting in the freezing of seven of her eggs. She completed her chemotherapy in September 2025 and passed her driving test a week later. The treatment has induced early menopause, leading to symptoms such as hot flushes, brain fog, joint and muscle pain, and fatigue. She noted that it can be challenging to distinguish between symptoms stemming from the menopause and those that are side effects of the chemotherapy, particularly concerning her memory, which she described as "absolutely awful."