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CANCER was the last thing Olivia Nikolic, age 20, had in mind when she entered in 2019 with a small rash and a mild cough.
In fact, his sudden symptoms have been described as completely boring and innocuous.
"It started with a rash on my hip that spread very quickly on my legs," she told news.com.au.
"I really did not think about it, I just thought it was eczma, when I had a dry cough, I just thought that I had a cold, I thought it was only normal things. "
She was not thinking about anything when she developed a rash, which made her a cold. Image: provided
A few weeks later, when Olivia developed a throbbing pain from the heart to her left shoulder, she realized that something was wrong.
"It was such an intense pain, it was so terrible that I cried, I could not breathe," she said.
"My boyfriend – now engaged – felt that something was wrong and forced me to go to the hospital.
"I'm so lucky that he did it.Me said that if I had left it another two weeks, I would not have done it." . "
The eruption spread rapidly on Olivia's body. Image: provided
The Melbourne woman expected the doctors to confirm her suspicions of colds, but instead they asked for X-rays, the results of which would upset her world.
"The next day, the doctors seated me and said they found a tumor, I just cried, I did not even want to live anymore," Olivia said.
Valentine's Day 2019 – just weeks after the development of her easily understandable symptoms – Olivia was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma.
"I was only incredulous about having cancer," she said.
"I went to the hospital on February 13 for what I thought was a small cough, and then the next day I learned that I had lymphoma cancer."
However, his seemingly ordinary symptoms turned out to be cancer. Image: provided
"Even a few days before I arrived at the hospital, I did not know that something was wrong with me, I was with my family and friends, fun and enjoying life.
"It's not something you're hoping to live in. You always see it happen to other people, but you never think it would happen to you."
Only one week after the shock diagnosis, Olivia began the first of six cycles of chemotherapy. Cancer has had a tremendous impact on all aspects of her young life.
Olivia is cared for at the hospital. Image: provided
"It touched me a lot, I always feel tired and unable to do what I want, I'm only 20. I'm 21 years old this year I should be planning my 21st birthday in America and save for a home – but I can not do anything about it.
"I would just like to be healthy enough to work, save and do the things I planned, but now I'm back.
"My life is put on the back burner and I really struggle to accept it."
It is already difficult enough to cure a cancer without limited financial resources. Olivia is now unable to work and Centrelink barely enough to pay the bills and the essence of the young woman, not to mention parking in a hospital and medication.
Accepting the physical consequences of cancer and chemotherapy has also been a huge fight for Olivia – especially the loss of her hair.
And unfortunately, quality wigs can cost thousands of dollars.
Losing her hair was particularly difficult for Olivia. Image: provided
"I lost all my hair, my eyebrows, and my eyelashes.I also gained weight because of the chemotherapy because of the steroids they gave me," she said. she declared.
"I lost everything physically, I felt really confident and now I do not feel good enough."
"It's really a shame that I look like that when I look in the mirror – no hair, no eyelashes – it's supposed to be the best of my life."
But despite the many trials that cancer causes, Olivia is grateful.
"I am fortunate to have curable cancer, I am grateful for this life lesson because it will prepare me to become a better person," she said.
"As long as I live, I will not take anything for granted.
"As a person, cancer has made me more grateful and grateful even for the air that I am able to breathe in. I am very grateful for all that I have.
"I am more than grateful for the extraordinary people I have in my life, and even though they are so upset that this is happening, it has made me a lot closer to them."
"My boyfriend – now engaged – had the feeling that something was wrong and forced me to go to the hospital." Photo: Provided
Olivia's message is to live life to the full. to appreciate the little things and not sweat the little things – as well as to get all the symptoms, no matter how small they look.
"The signs and symptoms of lymphoma are as easily confused with stress, I want to educate everyone as much as I can.
"If Volkan had not encouraged me to be controlled, I would be dead – he saved my life.
"I want to make everyone understand that this can happen and help other people to live the same thing."
Fortunately, Olivia's tumor has halved. And with a few extra chemotherapy sessions, it is hoped that she will recover fully. A friend recently opened a GoFundMe account to try to raise $ 5,000 to cover her medical expenses.
"I can not wait to start living my life again," she said.
Zoe Simmons is an independent journalist. Continue the conversation @ItbeginswithZ
But she dismissed it as something serious. Image: provided
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