A Conversation with Katie
Cancer survivor Katie Nicol opens up about her cancer battle and how she's sharing the important stories of women like her.
Katie Nicol
When 25-year old Katie Nicol returned from a holiday in Darwin, she didn't think too much about a few bumps on her body. "I had what I thought were mosquito bites," she explains. "They became really dry, but still itchy and eventually I just thought I had developed eczema."
"I began getting sick often and I started getting shooting pains from my neck to my shoulders. I remember I was at my cousin's wedding trying to dance on the dance floor, and I was in crippling pain, finding it hard to breathe. A week later, I was getting temperatures, nausea, and dizziness on top of everything else, which is when I finally went to the doctors."
The visit to the GP's office resulted in shocking news – Katie was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin Lymphoma. "It didn't feel real," Katie says. "I remember being in Emergency with the nurses asking me questions I didn't know answers to. How could I, a personal trainer who was training her clients a few short weeks ago, be in the hospital with cancer?"
When it came to determining the best treatment, two options were given: either six months of chemotherapy with possible radiation or a new trial designed for Hodgkin Lymphoma patients. "The trial was three months but a lot more intense than chemotherapy. My doctor recommended it as I was young and knew my body could handle it. With Hodgkin Lymphoma, it is better to hit it hard, and that's what we did! I started the trial in November and entered remission in February this year."
““When you are getting better, it’s not just you celebrating; it’s your team of nurses, doctors, researchers, family, friends, and fellow patients all celebrating the success.””
"My story would be entirely different if for not cancer research - when you're in a trial, you really see the importance research has. Halfway through my treatment, I was walking down the hall with my catheter attached to my chemo bag and my co-ordinator beamed at me, telling me how good I looked and how exciting it is when the trial works and they see someone doing so well. It's pretty special to be a part of something like that."
Convos with Katie
Katie in hospital battling Hodgkin Lymphoma
From her cancer experience, Katie knew that she wanted to do more for females who had undergone the same journey as her. "As a young woman, there's a lack of support going through cancer and particularly after it. I decided to create an Instagram account and host a segment called 'Convos with Katie' where I interview a fellow young women cancer survivor over Instagram live and they share their story.”
“I speak to women with different cancer types, backgrounds, experiences because cancer is experienced differently by everyone. There is so much incredible truth and strength that these ladies have learnt and share with my community. It’s an experience to support my warrior sisters, and create a community where no one feels alone, no matter what point they find themselves on their cancer journey."
Thank you to Katie for sharing her story with us and head here to watch Convos with Katie.
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