A persistent cough in the morning and before bed was Anneka Gill’s first sign that something was wrong, but she thought it was allergies or something similar. A 32-year-old man at the time coughed up blood during a trip to India, which suggested bronchitis, and a chest X-ray at his home suggested the possibility of tuberculosis, but the diagnosis remained elusive.
A lymph node in Anneka’s neck, which swelled first to the size of a pea, then to the size of a golf ball, then retracted, was the next clue that something was wrong, but a test for strep infection showed no results. was not obtained.
Fortunately, a subsequent biopsy ultimately revealed the cause to be stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Even though Aneka heard the word “cancer” on the day she and her husband Jas were celebrating their son’s birthday, she knew her cancer was one of the most treatable cancers. I was relieved that I would be able to continue celebrating this special day.
That gratitude helped her get through the next six months of grueling chemotherapy, but she was grateful for the care she received from BC Cancer. “Jas has done so much research and BC is one of the most advanced hospitals in the world in research and treatment,” says Aneka.
And thanks BC Cancer – SurreyAneka was able to receive treatment close to home, and Jas and her relatives were able to help care for her then-5-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son.
“I was very lucky to have a cancer center close to home and a large support network nearby,” Anneka says. “It was only a 25-minute drive from home, but for people who have to come from far away or who have to relocate for treatment without a support network, especially those who don’t have transportation. It’s going to be even more difficult.’ The prognosis I had. ”
Looking forward to cancer treatment in the Fraser Valley
Now recovered and healthy, Aneka is appealing to other young mothers to take the symptoms they are experiencing seriously. She has no family history of her illness and she was training for a half marathon when her symptoms started. Although she did not experience many of the common cancer symptoms, she believed that some symptoms, such as fatigue, were simply part of being a mother. She said, “Even if you have a cough, don’t think it’s nothing and go to the doctor.”
In addition to the wonderful nurses at our hospital, BC Cancer Center in SurreyAneka is grateful to the many donors who not only made research and treatment for her cancer possible, but also made it possible closer to home.
The Fraser Health region is one of the fastest growing regions in the province, with cancer cases expected to increase by 35% over the next 10 years as the population grows and ages.
To meet that need, the BC Cancer Foundation is working to: $30 million raised for second BC Cancer Center in Surrey Currently under construction, it will feature the latest life-saving technology to ensure Fraser region residents receive timely, life-saving care when and where they need it.
Learn more about the BC Cancer Foundation’s work funding world-leading cancer research and treatment here in the Fraser Region and how you can help. bcancerfoundation.com/fraser.
