Tori with her portacath during treatment
Last year, when Christchurch resident Tori was just 17 years old she developed a sore neck, little did she know the path that lay ahead:
“After a couple of weeks when it didn’t get better I went to the doctor – she tried a few things but nothing helped. I was starting to worry because I could feel lumps in my neck so I requested a different doctor. He felt my neck and straight away rang the hospital specialist – they recommended an ultrasound.”
The ultrasound showed that Tori’s lymph nodes were enlarged, she was referred for a biopsy:
“When the doctor told me I had Hodgkin lymphoma it didn’t feel real. Mum was working on the West Coast at the time but came back to Christchurch to be with me –that’s when it dawned on me that it was serious.”
Tori was referred to LBC and Matt Eby, one of the Support Services team got in touch. Matt was able to answer all Tori’s questions and provided booklets and information that she was able to share with her family. As she explains:
“It was easier to talk to Matt about my cancer because I didn’t have to worry about his feelings like with family. I knew what he told me was reliable and specifically made for people like me.”
Tori embarked on six months of chemo – it was tough. At times she felt unwell but was determined to continue working in her hospitality job:
“The more chemo I had, the worse I felt. I got about half-way through and felt so rubbish I had to cut my hours down – my boss said I could build them up again when I was feeling better … then COVID hit and I lost my job!”
LBC was able to provide Tori with practical help like taxi vouchers for going to and from appointments and grocery vouchers so she could buy healthy food. After treatment finished she had a scan during Level 4 lockdown restrictions – it was tough as she had to go by herself whilst her mum waited in the car. It was a nervous wait for the results:
“Because of COVID I had to get my results by video chat which felt weird. When the doctor told me I was in remission I was shocked… it didn’t feel real.”
Tori continues to be in remission and, inspired by her cancer journey, has started studying towards a Bachelor of Medical Imaging. She really appreciates the support she received – made possible by donations:
“I want to say thank you to all the people who donate to LBC – it’s a great thing you are doing and it definitely helped me a lot when I was struggling.”