Auckland dental receptionist Rebecca Gilbert suffered excruciating daily back pain for five years before she was given a scan that showed a tumour on her spine.
Despite being told surgery might leave her paralysed, the 37-year-old bravely went ahead with an operation, where the tumour was successfully removed and declared non-cancerous. But a week later, Rebecca experienced a medical nightmare that left her on the brink of death.
"When I first started getting back pain, I figured it was part of my job as a dental assistant, which I did for 12 years before I got sick, because you're always leaning to the side," says Rebecca, who was swimming, walking and doing F45 fitness at the time. "My GP said I just needed to exercise and take pain relief more often.
"In June 2021, the pain got so bad, it was consuming me. I changed to my partner Andrew's GP and was booked in for a scan two weeks later. They had to sedate me so I could lie flat without being in pain."
Finding out a tumour was responsible for her pain was a relief for Rebecca, but it wasn't what she'd been expecting! She instantly thought about cancer and was told specialists wouldn't know until they'd tested the tumour.
"I was given the pros and cons of having surgery to remove it, but was told I'd be in a wheelchair by my midfifties if I didn't, so I had no choice really," recalls Rebecca, who was in surgery for 11 hours. "I was absolutely petrified knowing I was going in and might come out not being able to walk if it went wrong. But my family and partner told me it'd be OK and it'd be the end to my pain." Luckily, the surgeons successfully removed 90% of the tumour, but told Rebecca they'd left behind small lesions that were too risky to touch.
This story is from the January 21, 2024 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 21, 2024 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
JESS' TEARS OVER JUSTIN'S SHOCK ARREST!
Jessica Biel is reeling after her husband Justin Timberlake's shock arrest in the Hamptons during a night off from his Forget Tomorrow World Tour.
NICHOLAS GALITZINE 'I WAS DRIPPING IN JEWELS!
The actor discusses working with Julianne Moore on Mary & George, from Wednesday on TVNZ+
JUDGE JAY-JAY
More FM radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas
KIWI BROADWAY DARLING MY BATTLE WITH ANOREXIA
Theatre queen Scarlett reveals her behind-the-scenes struggle
EMMA'S PREGNANCY NIGHTMARE 'I SPENT ALL DAY VOMITING!'
The Matakana mum's morning sickness was so extreme, she was hospitalised 20 times
CHIEFS STAR EMONI'S HEALING JOURNEY
How family helped the rising rugby star bounce back from his shattered Rugby World Cup dreams
AMANDA KNOX'S NEW LIFE DOTING MUM & CRIME PODCASTER
From Italian prison to US podcast host, Amanda has reinvented herself in a big way
SHORTY STARS EMMETT & HOLLY'S HIDDEN HEARTBREAK
The acting duo reveal why a tragic loss has left them scared of starting a family
PIRIPI & STEPH WHAT REALLY HAPPENED!
The groom's TV confession left his bride reeling from the start
POSH & BECKS SECRET DIVORCE
A bombshell book has opened up painful wounds for the family