Cancer couldn't stop Belinda Phillips from living a normal life.
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The mother and nurse was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Follicular Lymphoma in 2010 after the lymphoma in her abdomen ruptured her appendix. However, she continued to work during her diagnosis and treatment.
There were some signs and symptoms but like many Australian's Belinda didn't know them.
Belinda's diagnosis was followed by two painful weeks in hospital filled with biopsies and scans and then chemo, radiation and maintenance therapy for 18 months.
During this time Belinda continued to work she also wore a wig (the chemo made her hair fall out) but not because she wanted to look good, because she didn't want to be faced with questions about her health.
"I did not want people to know I was a cancer patient and ask me questions," she said.
"Having to tell others was difficult with many not knowing what lymphoma was and others not understanding why they could not just 'cut it out' like other cancers and not understanding that it was not curable.
"The fatigue, nausea and emotional strain is difficult."
After three years her lymphoma came back in the form of excruciating pain in her pelvis, shoulder and left chest area.
"I was very tired all the time and knew something was wrong," Belinda said.
"I think it is very important to trust your own intuition."
After several referrals and trips to the hospital it was found to be lymphoma.
This time the chemo was a different type and there was no loss of hair. Treatment and maintenance therapy lasted 18 months.
"Throughout this whole time I continued to work as an enrolled nurse and am now studying to become a registered nurse," Belinda said.
"I am so thankful to be one of the 'lucky' ones and to live in this country where the doctors and nurses are fantastic.
"The doctors are truly amazing and I cannot thank them enough. I live in a world where I hope for a cure and try to remain positive. I hope the message of lymphoma is shared so people are aware of symptoms and I also wish there was more emotional support for patients and support groups in different regions."
Lymphoma Australia and medical experts are using World Lymphoma Awareness Day to 'put lymphoma in the limelight' and call for all Australians to better recognise the symptoms of a blood cancer that takes an Australian life every six hours.
"Despite claiming as many lives as skin cancer, most Australians are unaware of the signs and symptoms of lymphoma. Recent research by the Lymphoma Coalition identified that only 14% of all Australian patients had been diagnosed with lymphoma for their initial symptoms. This often leads to delayed diagnosis and can make it harder to treat the cancer," Lymphoma Australia National Lymphoma Care Nurse Donna Gairns said.
Some of the prevalent symptoms include: painless swollen gland/lump, fatigue, itching rash and drenching night sweats.