Life swiftly turned upside down for Willowbrook resident Emma Alcott when she was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin lymphoma last year.
The 24-year-old mother of two young boys香蕉视频直播擠axon, 7, and Kaeson, 3香蕉视频直播攚as one week into her psychology degree at the University of B.C. Okanagan when she learned of her diagnosis. Her fianc茅, Devon Robinson, said she had been experiencing symptoms for about a year prior but they didn香蕉视频直播檛 recognize them as things to worry about.
香蕉视频直播淪he was having migraines constantly, then it just got to the point where she was having troubles breathing and what not,香蕉视频直播� said Robinson.
Alcott added, 香蕉视频直播淭here was just so many things that I didn香蕉视频直播檛 know that were symptoms. Like I香蕉视频直播檇 wake up in the middle of the night super itchy and I just assumed it was from my laundry soap. Then I couldn香蕉视频直播檛 lift my hands above my head for very long and just thought it was like weak muscles. But those are both symptoms I never even thought to tell my doctor.香蕉视频直播�
In May 2018, doctors identified a mass in Alcott香蕉视频直播檚 body and by the middle of June 2018, she was told it was Hodgkin lymphoma. According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada, Hodgkin lymphoma affects the body香蕉视频直播檚 lymphatic system and is one of the curable forms of cancer.
香蕉视频直播淚 was originally given stage 2B but then they started me on treatment before they had the chance to give me a PET scan. Because of how big it was, they couldn香蕉视频直播檛 wait for the scan,香蕉视频直播� said Alcott. 香蕉视频直播淎fter they did the scan they realized I was stage four.香蕉视频直播�
Alcott proceeded to undergo six months of chemotherapy in Kelowna to treat the mass, having to give up her work and school in the process. She said it was taxing on her body, but she was thankful for the support systems around her.
香蕉视频直播淥ne of the chemo nurses at the hospital, when I started having a really hard time, told me to take it day by day and try to focus on each day rather than when I香蕉视频直播檒l be better,香蕉视频直播� said Alcott. 香蕉视频直播淭hat actually helped a lot.香蕉视频直播�
Her condition turned from bad to worse, however, when Alcott and Robinson received word on Christmas Eve that chemo had not shrunken the mass and it had grown since her last scan. It was then decided that Alcott needs to undergo a stem cell transplant, wiping out her body香蕉视频直播檚 immune system, to treat the cancer.
Robinson said this experience has been hard for their family especially because it香蕉视频直播檚 forced Alcott, a normally active and involved parent, student and employee, to slow down.
香蕉视频直播淪he香蕉视频直播檚 always been go, go, go and was always the one that香蕉视频直播檚 first there. And now basically she had to start learning to slow down and let people help her out,香蕉视频直播� said Robinson. 香蕉视频直播淏ecause chemo was hard on her, she got really sick there and it wasn香蕉视频直播檛 helping.香蕉视频直播�
Alcott will spend three months in Vancouver beginning mid-April to receive her stem cell transplant and a high dose of chemotherapy. Then, she香蕉视频直播檒l need a follow-up six weeks later, after she is discharged. Although she was a full-time student, because she had to stop attending to get the treatment, she can not access her insurance as a student.
To make matters worse, she does not qualify for E.I. and Robinson was recently laid off from his job. This has led to the family and community starting a to help deal with her healthcare costs and other treatment-related expenses.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 been a struggle. There has been a lot harder days recently. There香蕉视频直播檚 been a lot of help香蕉视频直播攚e started a bottle drive (the week of Feb. 18) and so many of the neighbours have come to help out,香蕉视频直播� said Alcott.
Robinson added, 香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檚 a lot of people out there who have been helping us out.香蕉视频直播�
On April 6, the Barley Mill Brew Pub is hosting a fundraiser to add to the GoFundMe campaign with a silent auction, raffle door prizes, entertainment and more. Tickets are to be purchased in advance for $20 each and include a choice of a veggie burger or ribs with a side.
While Alcott continues to fight her battle against cancer, she香蕉视频直播檚 also using the opportunity to educate others and help those in similar situations. She said she hopes others will 香蕉视频直播渓isten to their body if they think that something is wrong.香蕉视频直播�
香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檚 this age gap. There香蕉视频直播檚 a lot of resources available for people under 19, and people who have been working for longer have built up E.I.,香蕉视频直播� said Alcott. 香蕉视频直播淏ut I香蕉视频直播檓 in this gap, where it香蕉视频直播檚 common to be diagnosed at this age with (Hodgkin lymphoma) but I can香蕉视频直播檛 access any resources. As a full-time student, you don香蕉视频直播檛 have the contributions to CPP or E.I. So I香蕉视频直播檇 love to start a foundation to help other students in this situation.香蕉视频直播�
The fundraiser begins at 6 p.m. and tickets can be pre-purchased by calling or texting Alcott at 250-488-4567 or emailing hally@telus.net. For updates on Alcott香蕉视频直播檚 journey, visit her .
To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.
<>Jordyn Thomson | Reporter
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