Aliona diagnosed with blood cancer after doctors discover huge tumour, bigger than a rockmelon

A young Moreton Bay woman is “cherishing every moment” after a tumour bigger than a rockmelon collapsed one of her lungs.

ALIONA Grytsenko thought she was just unfit when she started experiencing coughing and breathlessness, but in reality, a cancerous tumour bigger than a rockmelon had caused her right lung to collapse.

She was 21 and only six months from completing a four-year Bachelor of Architecture degree when doctors diagnosed her with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of blood cancer.

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That was in July last year. She’s had to stop studying, give up her part-time job and faces more chemotherapy, radiation and a stem cell transplant in the next few months.

Aliona Grytsenko at home in North Lakes. Aliona has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

But she said she was using her adversity to find new opportunities to become a more understanding and loving person.

“Because I’ve had so many scans that didn’t go well, I just have to pray about it and really trust God that it doesn’t matter what the scan says, I’m still able to enjoy time with friends and family,” Aliona said.

“Knowing that things aren’t the best is an encouragement and a big motivation to spend less time arguing or worrying about little things.

“I have to cherish every single moment and be grateful for it.”

She’s started watercolour illustration, developing a skill she didn’t have time for while she was studying and working.

“I didn’t know what resting looked like because I’d never really done it,” Aliona said. “Watercolour drawing helps me battle with anxiety during hospital stays.

“When they’re pouring in chemo, you really feel it going into your body.

“It’s unpleasant and you get a smell and a taste and all these different things that make me feel uncomfortable.

“Drawing gives me something to focus on and it’s also a really good conversation starter in hospital.

“It’s easier to discuss that rather than making cancer a big thing that you’re always talking about.”

Aliona Grytsenko, 22, who is an ambassador for Queensland’s first youth cancer centre, expected to open at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital later this year. Picture: AAP/Josh Woning

Ukraine-born Aliona is an ambassador for Queensland’s first youth cancer centre expected to open at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital later this year, filling a gap for people aged 15 to 25.

She said having the centre would allow her to meet other people her age who were experiencing similar challenges.

“People who are a lot older are at very different stages of life,” she said.

“They’ve already had children, they’ve already married. I might never have children.

“To have a community of people who understand would be such a tremendous encouragement.”

The Sony Foundation has committed $1.8 million towards building the You Can Centre and hopes to raise another $400,000 today at the Brissy4Ward function at Howard Street Wharves, where Aliona will tell her story.

To donate: sonyfoundation.org