Awareness of ovarian cancer needs to be higher
profile and I am hoping that strutting my stuff on the catwalk will encourage
you all to help me raise some funds for Ovacome the charity which promotes
the signs and symptoms of Ovarian Cancer and funds research into new treatments.

My Story

I was diagnosed in May 2013 with advanced stage 3C Ovarian Cancer.   I was 54.

Ovarian cancer
can be difficult to diagnose the key symptoms are;

- Bloating, persistent and
unexplained 

- Feeling full when eating quickly
and loss of appetite 

- Abdominal pain, changes in periods,
unexplained bleeding.

- Women of all ages need to be aware
of this cancer, introduce the idea with your doctor, talk and share your
concerns.

My Symptoms were different, a dull ache in my side and
heavy watery discharge.  I waited 8
months to be seen in the gynecology department at my local hospital.  I was never referred under the cancer pathway
it was not on my or my GP’s radar.  My
cancer could have been diagnosed earlier and the outcomes been very different.

When given a diagnosis of cancer your life changes, you
leave the ‘Time Before’ and enter ‘the Time After’.

After a full hysterectomy and 5 months chemo I was in
remission, no evidence of disease, a NED. 

BUT I knew that because the cancer had been diagnosed late
and was advanced the chances of a recurrence were extraordinarily high.  Life does not return to normal.  You live with the fear of the first
recurrence.  AND you live with the on-going
damage caused by major surgery and chemotherapy.  For me this has been ‘lymphedema’ and small
intestinal bacterial overgrowth.  Both
are common for women in my situation.

In 2015 the cancer returned, that dreaded first recurrence
the one that virtually wipes out your chances of a cure.  The rhetoric of medical professionals changes
to ‘we cannot cure you’. 

When I strut my stuff, modeling at the fashion show I will
be half way through this round of chemotherapy. 
The emotional and physical impact of my recurrence remains a huge
challenge for me.

My philosophy is ‘do not become a sick person’ and ‘life
in the ‘time after’ will be long’. 

Cancer has robbed me of my career, changed the life of my
son, husband, family and friends.  But I
remain upbeat, I cherish life more now, I embrace excitement and seek out new
and fun opportunities.

When I was a little girl I dreamed of being a ‘model’, you
may say this is a high price to pay for this opportunity.  No, that is not true. I can now tick that box
off my ‘to do list’ and this really is fun whilst doing something worthwhile to
help everyone with Ovarian Cancer.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.