A Canadian woman is left fighting for her life after ignoring the signs of stage 4 cancer.
Taylor Deanne Roy, 32, had noticed a range of symptoms over a two-year period but felt they were nothing to worry too much about.
“I suffered from extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, itchy skin and random aches and pains for years, but I thought it was nothing to worry about,” the Alberta native explained.
After multiple doctor visits, she was certain her health complications were due to follicular eczema and believed the other problems were the result of aging.
‘For two years I had been extremely tired and out of shape, but I thought it was just part of being a parent. (Then) I started having random pains that I blamed on myself,” she recalled.
But over time, in September she noticed a large lump in her neck and asked a doctor for an ultrasound, which then led to a biopsy.
A month later, results showed she was suffering from stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
‘On October 2 this year, less than two months after I found the lump, I was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which had spread to my lungs and the bones in my spine.
Taylor Deanne Roy, 32, is left fighting for her life after ignoring the tell-tale signs of stage 4 cancer – believing they were linked to eczema
The results ultimately revealed that she was suffering from stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma
‘The moment I was told I had cancer, it was as if the whole world around me stood still. For a few minutes I felt like nothing was real.
‘All I wanted was to be the best version of myself and have a family. Now, at 32, I am in the fight of my life,” she said.
Roy is now undergoing treatment for the condition and is plagued by ‘severe pain, nausea and exhaustion’.
‘My body is a stranger, betraying me in ways I never thought possible. Simple tasks that I once did without thinking are now sometimes almost impossible.
“The hardest part is losing the independence I’ve worked so hard to gain,” she revealed.
Just months before her diagnosis, an electrical fire destroyed her home and all her belongings.
She noticed a large lump in her neck in September and asked a doctor for an ultrasound, which then led to a biopsy
She also believes she might have found out about her disease sooner if she had been more “pushy” with her doctors and not ignored the signs.
But despite her situation, Roy found support from family and friends, noting that they helped her in every way possible.
‘They showed themselves in every possible way. From donating to making food, sending onesies to replace the ones I lost, and helping with daily tasks, they’ve done it all. “I am beyond broken – physically, mentally, financially,” she said.
“I’ve reached a point where I have to ask for help, because sometimes no matter how strong we try to be, we can’t do it alone.”
She also believes she might have found out about her disease sooner if she had been more “pushy” with her doctors and not ignored the signs.
‘I wish I had told my doctor about them sooner. If I had been more pushy with the doctors, I wouldn’t be in stage 4 now.
“Stand up for yourself and don’t give up if doctors don’t listen,” Roy said.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a form of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. Some of the most common symptoms include swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin, fever, fatigue, night sweats, weight loss and fatigue.
Roy is now undergoing treatment for the condition and is plagued by ‘severe pain, nausea and exhaustion’
She has also launched a GoFundMe to raise money to support herself and fund her treatment.
From now on crowdfunding page has raised $815 CAD out of its $25,000 goal.
According to the Mayo ClinicHodgkin lymphoma is a form of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. Some of the most common symptoms include swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits or groin, fever, fatigue, night sweats, weight loss and fatigue.
In stage 4, the cancer spreads to at least one organ outside the lymphatic system, such as the liver, lungs, or bone marrow. This is in addition to cancer in the lymph nodes.
Treatment for stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma typically includes six to eight rounds of chemotherapy, possibly steroids, and radiation therapy. Cancer Center.