It can be a total shock or sometimes even a relief to finally find out what's wrong.
It took a lot of insistence and persistence from me to
convince my doctors that something was really wrong. After 3 months
I was finally diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. I was so happy to
have a diagnosis that I overlooked how serious that diagnosis
was.
Hayley, Dunedin
Because the signs and symptoms of cancer are related to many
other common illnesses one visit to the doctor usually doesn't
confirm a cancer diagnosis. However, persistent ill health will
frequently result in further investigation, through X-rays, MRI
scans and laboratory findings, upon which a identification of
cancer cells may appear.
Common signs and symptoms of cancer are: unexplained weight
loss, headaches, swelling or persistent pain in bones, joints, the
back or legs, lumps, excessive bruising or bleeding, nausea,
consistent tiredness and reoccurring and unexplained fevers.
Following the initial diagnosis the patient will quickly be
referred to the closest main medical centre for more elaborate
tests or to start cancer treatment. If the patient is being treated
for pediatric cancer, treatment will take place in one of the three
main pediatric oncology centres in Auckland, Wellington or
Christchurch. Otherwise treatment will more than likely take place
at the main local hospital.
One Monday I went to the doctor complaining of aches,
pains and feverThey thought I might have glandular fever because my
glands were quite sensitive so they took blood tests and on the
Wednesday night they told me I most likely had leukemia. By Friday
I was in the hospital and was having my first does of chemotherapy
on Saturday. It definitely took a while to catch up with
me.
- Danny, Auckland