A NURSE has vowed to get better after being diagnosed with stage three cancer just four months after qualifying.
A&E nurse Georgie Johnston secured her dream job at Royal Bournemouth Hospital late last year after 'three years of juggling her studies and working for free across all departments'.
The 28-year-old was shattered when she was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in March – leaving her requiring chemotherapy and a mastectomy.
Having officially worked for the NHS for less than a year, Georgie is unable to claim full sick pay and will eventually have to survive on just £80 a week.
Despite months of treatment ahead of her and a high risk of losing her hair, the New Forest resident is inspiringly optimistic for the future.
“I was just finding my feet with the job in A&E, so that makes me sad,” she told the Echo.
“I’d love to still be able to work but I just can’t with the treatment, but I’m already excited to go back. I’m feeling optimistic.”
Despite complaining of breast cancer symptoms to health services when she was 25, it was another three years until Georgie was formally diagnosed.
She said: “I am a really positive person, but I feel gutted that it wasn’t picked up sooner. It makes me want to urge people to really push if you think something isn’t right.
“I do still feel lucky that I pushed on and found the cancer as I will still have my life when it’s all done – some people aren’t that lucky.”
Georgie was inspired to become a nurse at a young age after finding her grandmother had suffered a stroke. “I told myself that I didn’t ever want to be in a situation again where I didn’t know enough to help,” she said.
As a result, she worked at a nursing home for several years before re-training as a nurse.
Due to the limitations of Georgie’s sick pay, her close friend Caroline Streat set up a fundraiser to help see Georgie through the treatment.
Close to £2,000 has already been raised.
“They have made me feel overwhelmingly happy,” she said.
“It has made me realise that people care more than you think and it has put me on such a high. Words can’t express how much it means to me and they have inspired me to not let the cancer get the better of me.
“Through this experience, I feel like I’m going to become a better nurse as this has taught me so much.”
To donate, search 'Lets help Georgie buy a wig!' on GoFundMe.
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