Short Story

I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November 2019. I had substantial surgery in December 2019. Post surgery biopsies revealed that the cancer had been 'caught early' (stage 1c). Best pre Christmas news ever!

I had  four rounds of chemotherapy January - March 2020.

Following chemo, I had checks every twelve weeks until April this year. I am now on 6 monthly checks as my blood tests have been consistently reassuring.

Throughout this time Target Ovarian Cancer have provided invaluable support - especially in the form of the specialist nurses who are at the end of a phone.

I know that early diagnosis has massively increased my chances of surviving and so I want to:

i) raise awareness so that more women get an early diagnosis (without having to fight for it)

ii)raise funds for Target Ovarian Cancer so they can continue to do their amazing and much needed work.

Long Story

I had a place to run the GNR in Sept 2019. However I had felt tired before the summer holidays and found training tricky. I saw a GP in the summer holidays as I thought maybe I had a urine infection. I didn't have an infection but I still felt tired.

I saw the GP again later in the summer holidays and said I was worried. She said not to be. I asked for a blood test. She was reluctant. I was insistent. I had a blood test and was told I'd be contacted if there was anything I needed to know. I didnt get a phone call but as I still felt tired I rang during my lunch break at school in Sept 2019 to get the results. I was told my CA125 was raised and that I needed an immediate scan.

Scans revealed what was thought to be an ovarian cyst. I was told that it would be removed but that I did not need to worry. Despite being told I would be seen within 6 weeks, I was given a date for an operation in December. I queried this and was then given an earlier date - Friday 31st October.

The operation went smoothly; a biopsy was taken. I was told to wait for a letter confirming that the biopsy was clear. A week later I received a letter asking me to return to the hospital at 9am on the Monday morning. We did not take this as a good sign.

I went to the appointment with Tim (my husband) and was told that it was cancer and that I would need surgery and chemotherapy. I was temporarily floored as I rang my children, my family and friends to let them know but later that day I knew that I wanted to stop crying and get as strong as I could pre op and pre chemo.

My children, my husband, my family and my friends gave me exactly what I needed when I needed it. Cuddles, laughter, treats, company, love.

At this point we did not know what 'stage' the cancer was. We would not know this until after my operation.

I spent the time between ops getting as physically and mentally strong as I could. Walking, resting (I had to learn how to do this!) and being supported by the afore-mentioned gang.

My second operation took place on December 6th 2019. It went smoothly. I came home on the evening of the 8th December and had one of the best meals of my life - a few mouthfuls of a pizza and two chunky chips from The Wood Oven, Wylam. Heaven!

On 16th December I was told that the biopsies suggested that the cancer had not spread elsewhere and so it was graded stage 1c. We rang family and friends and cried over mince pies at a hospital cafe.

I had four rounds of chemo followed by check ups every twelve weeks. In April 2022 I was told I could move to 6 monthly checks. My next check up is October 2022.

I have survived this far, not because I am a 'fighter' or a positive person; I have survived this far because I was diagnosed early and received timely treatment. This is not the case for many many women.

If ovarian cancer is diagnosed at the earliest stage, 9 in 10 women will survive. But two thirds of women are diagnosed late, when the cancer is harder to treat. This has to change.

Target Ovarian Cancer:

• fights for early diagnosis for all women in the UK
• Funds research into ovarian cancer treatment
• Offers support to those diagnosed

You can help by:

• raising awareness of ovarian cancer. Visit here for more info:https://targetovariancancer.org.uk/
• donating to the charity

Thanks again to my amazing crew - my children, my family, my husband and my friends. I love you with all my heart.

Becky