‘I was told I wasn’t going to make it’: Woman, 20, is shocked to discover a tiny rash she found on her body is actually a deadly form of cancer
- Olivia Nikolic thought nothing of the rash on her body putting it down to eczma
- The 20-year-old then experienced intense pain from her heart to her shoulder
- Her fiance urged her to go to hospital and she was diagnosed with cancer
- A week later she began treatment and is now recovering from chemotherapy
A woman’s life was turned upside down after she discovered that a rash on her hip was actually a deadly form of cancer.
Olivia Nikolic thought nothing of the rash putting it down to eczma and having a cold after suffering a dry cough.
On February 13, the 20-year-old from Melbourne then experienced intense pain from her heart to her left shoulder which at times left her not breathing.
She knew something was wrong and her boyfriend Volkan Gediktas – now her fiance – forced her to go to hospital.
As a result of the treatment, she has also lost all her hair including her eyebrows and eyelashes, as well as gained weight from the steroids
Ms Nikolic underwent a range of X-rays and was shocked when doctors diagnosed her with stage 4 Lymphoma Cancer
‘I am so lucky he did, as I was told if I’d left it for two more weeks, I wouldn’t have made it,’ she told news.com.au.
She underwent a range of X-rays and was shocked when doctors diagnosed her with stage four lymphoma.
Still in disbelief of her diagnosis, a week later Ms Nikolic started her first of six rounds of chemotherapy to combat the deadly cancer.
Since she began treatment, Ms Nikolic admitted that it has ‘impacted me a lot’ and said she’s been ‘set back’ because she’s unable to do the things she’s always wanted to do.
‘I just wish I was healthy enough to work and save and do the things I’d planned, but now I’m set back,’ she said.
As a result of the treatment, she has also lost all her hair including her eyebrows and eyelashes, as well as gained weight from the steroids.
She said this is the ‘prime of her life’ and it ‘messes her up’ each time she looks in the mirror.
‘I am so lucky he did, as I was told if I’d left it for two more weeks, I wouldn’t have made it,’ she said (pictured with fiance Volkan Gediktas)
However despite the hurdles she’s faced since being diagnosed with cancer, Ms Nikolic said she is grateful for the lesson and that cancer has allowed her to be more thankful.
‘I am lucky enough to have a cancer that is curable. I am thankful for this life lesson because it’s going to shape me to be a better person,’ she said.
‘For as long as I live, I’ll never take anything for granted again.
Ms Nikolic is now recovering from cancer and is unable to find work and can’t survive off the Centrelink payment to cover her hospital bills.
A GoFundMe page has been launched by Ms Nikolic’s friend to help her fund her bills and other needs.
A GoFundMe page was launched by Ms Nikolic’s friend to help her fund her bills and other needs