When Georgia McLennan was in such severe pain she found herself at the doctor several times a week, she knew something was seriously wrong.
But nothing could prepare the 24-year-old, from Queensland’s Gold Coast, for the harrowing diagnosis she was about to receive.
And when Georgia was told she had cancer, the worst news was still to come.
Georgia McLennan was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma after months of debilitating pain
The 24-year-old Gold Coast local said doctors were shocked at her diagnosis saying: ‘they couldn’t believe how healthy I looked given what they found inside me’
‘I had the best day even though it was a little bit scary. I’m so grateful to have such amazing friends and family and feel so lucky to receive my treatment,’ Georgia has maintained a positive attitude throughout her diagnosis
‘I found out later they thought I was going to die that weekend’, the young woman told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
Georgia, 24, was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma, and it came after three months of pain, doubt, and one doctor’s suggestion ‘it was all in her head’.
Georgia’s PET scan revealed her diagnosis was much worse than originally thought
‘When I saw the scan I realised this is very bad,’ Georgia said.
Her body was riddled with cancer from her lungs, to tumours on her liver.
At the time her stomach had become so swollen she said she looked six months pregnant and finally a PET scan revealed just how much the cancer had spread.
‘They couldn’t believe how healthy I looked given what they found inside me.’
An aggressive course of chemotherapy followed along with spinal injections every week. So far the treatments have been successful with Georgia’s cancer currently in remission.
On the Instagram account where she documents much of her life and journey, Georgia continually showcases how her positive attitude has helped her throughout the diagnosis.
‘I had the best day even though it was a little bit scary. I’m so grateful to have such amazing friends and family and feel so lucky to receive my treatment,’ she said in one post in response to starting a new treatment.
Georgia’s Instagram showcases her positive attitude towards her treatment and life afterward
After aggressive rounds of chemotherapy and spinal injections, Georgia is currently in remission
In light of the huge odds she has overcome, Georgia is using her journey as a platform for the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation Care for Cancer lunch so other patients can have a similar experience with their treatment as she did
Another reads: ‘Feeling so so good after 5 blood transfusions, grateful for people who donate blood.’
In light of the huge odds she has overcome, Georgia is using her journey as a platform for the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation Care for Cancer lunch.
The lunch raises money for the patient transport service and chemotherapy chairs at the hospital where she received treatment and Georgia knows first hand the impact the little things can have on patients, saying:
‘You don’t realise how much you appreciate a comfortable chair until you are forced to spend some of your most difficult hours in them.’
‘You don’t realise how much you appreciate a comfortable chair until you are forced to spend some of your most difficult hours in them,’ Georgia said towards the need for donations to the Gold Coast University Hospital