I immigrated to Canada in May 2018 with my husband. I was looking forward to a new chapter of life in a new country with goals for my career and for starting a family. But I guess life had different plans for me. My life flipped upside down when I was told that I had a rare and aggressive blood cancer.
I was diagnosed with stage 4 subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma complicated with HLH (an immune disease) on Aug. 28, 2019 at the age of 32. The only symptoms I had were fever and chills.
The diagnosis took almost 3 months of staying in the University of Alberta Hospital. I had to go through extensive blood tests, scans and endless biopsies.
I had probably never thought about the length of my life until I was diagnosed with the “big C.” Hearing that you have cancer changes your life, and the lives of those who care about you. When you’re faced with the greatest obstacle and the only choice is to live, you take a breath and focus.
Cancer was a condition I could not control, but the way I reacted was up to me. It was so difficult to take everything in at that time — when my doctor said the C word, nobody wants to hear that.
I had a stem cell transplant in April 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, I was isolated for 32 days with a strict no-visitor policy. The stem cell transplant was unbelievably tough for me; without having my family around for support. But with my younger brother being my 100 per cent donor match, it was ultimately successful.
Being in the hospital by myself, I wondered whether I would get out alive or not. I was just fighting for my life every single day.
Although it wasn’t easy due to the amount of stress, changes to my mental health and physical appearance, this whole experience has given me a new perspective.
My amazing husband and family got me through those tough times. It’s been a long journey to get here. At some points, I felt like this day would never come. But here I am, getting better every day and living my life.
