26/06/2024
A little back story:
I studied to be a professional nurse and midwife and practised in hospital for just over 3 years. I love providing care for people and providing the best help and support where I can. I especially love working with pregnant women, watching and assisting the women bring new life into the world is just amazing. Not to mention the love I have working in the neonatal intensive care unit. Helping and bonding with the babies is the best feeling ever. The bond you create with those tiny souls is more than anyone can describe. But then suddenly everything changed.
It all started at the end of November 2023 with a puffy face. You might think it's just a swollen face nothing to be concerned about. But just imagine going to bed looking one way then waking up seeing someone completely different the next morning looking back at you in the mirror. At first, I blamed it on normal weight gain, and I just stared eating healthier, surely a diet would fix this. But then my hair started falling out in clumps and my stomach started swelling, I had bruises everywhere that could not be explained. My legs started cramping so badly it was paralyzing and stairs became my worst nightmare. I started moving slower and found it difficult to lift things and even get up from a chair. Working was not an option anymore as I was a risk for both my patients and myself.
After many doctors and trying to find a specialist endocrinologist (doctor that works with hormones basically). We discovered that I have Cushing's disease. The scan found a 7cm tumour on my left adrenal gland that needed to be removed immediately. The tumour was removed and sent for biopsy where it was found to be malignant, and the cancer had spread to the surrounding lymph nodes.
I was officially diagnosed with stage 3 adrenocorticocarcinoma (cancer of the adrenal gland) in March 2024. We had to wait at least 6 weeks after my operation for me to heal to do more tests to determine if the cancer had spread anywhere else. But luckily the cancer is still localised to the left adrenal gland and kidney. Praise God!
I officially started chemotherapy in May 2024 and have received two sessions since.
I can not thank everyone enough for all the prayers and support I have already received on this journey. I am forever grateful for each and everyone!
