Constanza Guerra Parada: Chilean student booked an appointment with the dentist to check out her sore gums. The diagnosis was much worse
What should have been a routine dental check-up for international student Constanza Guerra Parada turned into a life-changing ordeal.
The young Chilean, 31, who lives in Sydney, first noticed bruising on her limbs, fever and fatigue in late July, but dismissed it as a result of her work as a cleaner.
When the inflammation in her gums made it impossible for her to eat, Mrs. Guerra Parada finally went to the dentist.
She was told that her inflammation was unusual and was referred to a GP for blood tests.
Two days later, Mrs Guerra Parada, or Connie, was admitted to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, where doctors gave her the devastating news that she had acute myeloid leukaemia.
The shocking diagnosis shocked Mrs. Guerra Parada and she began chemotherapy almost immediately.
Fellow Chilean Isidora Becerra Quezada, 24 is not only one of Ms. Guerra Parada’s best friends, but also one of her lifelines in Australia.
“I know her cancer treatment will be a long and difficult process and I will be with her every step of the way,” she wrote in a GoFundMe page set up to help her friend.
Constanza Guerra Parada is fighting for her life after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.
‘Unfortunately, she is away from her family, as she decided to come to Australia to strengthen her professional skills. But due to circumstances, this dream will fall apart.’
Just a week before she was diagnosed with shock, Ms Guerra Parada had booked a holiday to visit her family back home and was planning to return to Australia for her second term.
Ms Becerra Quezada said her friend struggled to find a way to tell her family she would not be able to see them.
“First she told her brother about her illness so he could help her tell her mother,” Ms. Becerra Quezada said 7news.com.au.
The family is now saving to travel to Australia and help care for Mrs. Guerra Parada.
“Right now she is all alone,” Ms. Becerra Quezada wrote online.
Best friend Isidora Becerra Quezada (right) has rallied behind her best friend Connie
She added that her friend has been severely weakened by the treatment.
“The medications and chemotherapy are not showing good results… first it started with an allergic reaction all over her skin and now there is an infection somewhere, because even the antibiotics are not having much effect,” Ms. Becerra Quezada wrote.
Ms Guerra Parada also cannot afford to focus on her recovery, as her treatment is overshadowed by financial and international complications.
Her student visa requires her to attend all classes, but that proves impossible.
Ms. Guerra Parada needs official approval to postpone her studies at her school in order to legally reside in the country.
However, Mrs. Guerra Parada has not lived in Chile for many years and therefore does not have insurance to cover her treatment there.
“For her safety, we would prefer this process to be completed in Australia,” Ms Becerra Quezada said.
Ms. Guerra Parada went to a dentist with concerns about her gums, but was referred to her family doctor
Even if she keeps her visa, Ms. Guerra Parada will have to pay for most of her treatment herself.
Her insurance here in Australia means that about a fifth of her total treatment is covered here.
Doctors estimate that if chemotherapy is successful, recovery will take six to eight months.
“With help…she can fight cancer under better circumstances and be with her family during this very sad and difficult time,” Ms. Becerra Quezada wrote on the fundraiser.