What was supposed to be a routine dental checkup for international student Constanza Guerra Parada has turned into a life-changing experience.
The 31-year-old Chilean resident of Sydney first noticed bruises on her limbs, fever and fatigue in late July, but ignored them, thinking they were due to her job as a cleaner.
When she was unable to eat due to swollen gums, Mrs Guerra Parada finally went to the dentist.
She was told her swelling was unusual and sent to a GP for blood tests.
Two days later, Ms Guerra Parada, or Connie, was admitted to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, where doctors gave her the terrible news that she had acute myeloid leukaemia.
The shocking diagnosis shook Ms. Guerra Parada who began chemotherapy almost immediately.
His Chilean partner Isidora Becerra Quezada, 24 years old. She is not only one of Ms. Guerra Parada’s closest friends, but also one of her lifelines in Australia.
“I know that your treatment to fight cancer will be a long and difficult process, and I will be by your side every step of the way,” she wrote in a GoFundMe Page created to help her friend.
Constanza Guerra Parada is in the fight of her life after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.
‘Unfortunately she is not with her family as she decided to come to Australia to strengthen her professional skills, but due to circumstances this dream will fade away.’
Just a week before the shocking diagnosis, Ms Guerra Parada had booked a holiday to visit her family back home and had planned to return to Australia for her second semester of studies.
Ms. Becerra Quezada said her friend struggled to find a way to tell her family she wouldn’t be able to see them.
‘She first told her brother about her illness so he could help her tell her mother,’ Becerra Quezada said. 7news.com.au.
The family is now saving to travel to Australia to help care for Ms Guerra Parada.
“She is currently alone,” Becerra Quezada wrote online.
Best friend Isidora Becerra Quezada (right) has joined in to support her best friend Connie
She added that her friend was severely weakened by the treatment.
‘The medications and chemotherapy are not giving good results… first she started with an allergic reaction all over her skin and now it is infected by something because the antibiotics are not having much effect either,’ wrote Becerra Quezada.
Ms Guerra Parada also cannot afford to focus on her recovery, as her treatment is marred by financial and international complications.
Her student visa requires her to attend all of her classes, but that seems impossible.
Ms. Guerra Parada will need official approval of a deferment from her school to remain legally in the country.
However, Ms. Guerra Parada has not lived in Chile for years, so she does not have insurance that covers her treatment there.
“For their safety, we would prefer this process to be completed in Australia,” Becerra Quezada said.
Ms Guerra Parada went to a dentist with concerns about her gums but was referred to her GP.
Even if she keeps her visa, Ms. Guerra Parada will have to pay for most of her treatment out of pocket.
Your insurance here in Australia means that about a fifth of your total treatment will be covered here.
Doctors estimate that recovery will take between six and eight months if chemotherapy is successful.
“With help… she will be able to fight cancer in better condition and be with her family in this sad and challenging time,” Becerra Quezada wrote in the fundraiser.