A 21-year-old who discovered tiny ‘dots’ on her skin has shared how she was diagnosed with cancer.
Helania Hilliard first noticed freckle-like spots appearing on her body back in November 2021.
Within just a few hours, they grew in size and were scattered across her arms and legs.
Doctors took blood tests and sadly, the results led to an eventual diagnosis of a type of blood cancer called B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is rare, according to the NHS, with around 790 people diagnosed with the condition each year in the UK, most of whom are children.
A purple skin rash (purpura) is one of the symptoms. Other signs include easily bruised skin, night sweats, bone and joint pain, and repeated infections over time.
Up until this point, Helaina had felt healthy and was thriving. She was floored by the news and shared updates on her TikTok page.
However, she believes her diagnosis has given her a new ‘perspective’ on life.
‘I am extremely grateful for my cancer – I now appreciate things to a whole different level because not everyone survives this terrible disease,’ the student, from Iowa, US, said.
‘It sounds crazy but having cancer has made me realise how blessed I am and how much love I have in my life.
‘I still have a long way to go before I am back to where I was before, fitness wise, and I’ve come to the fact I may never get back to the level of where I was before – but if I have the ability to do so, I will.’
Helaina is still on a treatment plan and while she has experienced pain, she is seeing progress.
‘I am still taking chemo daily and monthly at the hospital, so I am still having multiple side effects from that,’ she added.
‘But I see progress daily in my fitness journey. I think this is because I had so much room for growth after what the leukaemia did to my body initially.
‘It has been very rewarding.’
Helaina is currently in the ‘maintenance’ phase of treatment. This is the final stage which will last until March 2024.
‘I have been extremely blessed with my treatment,’ she said.
‘My doctors and nurses have done an amazing job at managing the side effects.
‘There have been some tough days through the past year and a half. It was hard when I lost my hair but I’m happy to say that it is now growing back.
‘The toughest part was probably seeing my family and friends worry about me. Seeing the ones you love worry about you I would say was harder than fighting for my life.’
Helaina was studying for a degree in biochemistry when she was diagnosed and was forced to take a year off. She returned to her studies in September and is easing herself back into athletics.
Now, she is firmly focused on the future and her ultimate goal of becoming a dentist.
‘Little did I know that those innocent little spots would just be the start to a year worth of trial and fighting for my life,’ she explained.
‘It is crazy to look back at all of the chain of events and how I could have easily died.
‘But I realise that going through cancer has allowed me to have a different perspective on life, which is a blessing.’
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