‘I wasn’t going to make it’: Woman, 20, is shocked to discover a tiny eczema-like rash she found on her body is actually a deadly form of cancer – and if she’d left it any longer she would’ve died
- Olivia Nikolic thought nothing of the rash on her body putting it down to eczema
- 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
By Sahar Mourad For Daily Mail Australia
Published: 23:51 EDT, 27 July 2019 | Updated: 03:58 EDT, 28 July 2019
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 eczema 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 struggling to breathe.
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
What are the symptoms of lymphoma?
- Unexplained fever
- Swelling of one or more lymph glands such as in the neck, armpits, or at the angles of the legs
- Swollen abdomen
- Abnormal sweating, especially at night
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Bruising or bleeding easily
- Weight loss
- Rash or itching
Source: Cancer Council
‘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.
Ms Nikolic said the treatment had taken its toll and that she had been ‘set back’ because she is now unable to do the things she always wanted to.
‘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, and has gained weight from taking 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)
Despite the hurdles she’s faced since being diagnosed with cancer, Ms Nikolic said she is grateful to be alive, adding 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. She says her Centrelink payments do not 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
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