I started to notice that my stomach felt hard and I had to go to the toilet more often – sometimes it felt like every 30 minutes. Otherwise though I was feeling okay and still swimming every day before work. Working as a medical secretary at the time, I mentioned it the doctor at that practice but they didn’t seem concerned.
A few weeks later my husband and I went on a trip to Devon and Cornwall. That week it felt like my stomach grew and I had back pain that came on really quickly. How I managed to sit in the car all the way home I will never know.
I remember saying, ‘I really don’t know what the matter is’, but I knew that I needed to get checked as the pain did not ease. I still thought it was probably a UTI so as soon as we got home, I collected a sample pot from my GP and booked an appointment.
I didn’t know enough about ovarian cancer for it to even cross my mind. Thankfully my wonderful GP Barbara Ward recognised what my symptoms could mean and sent me for scans within 24 hours.
I know that things could have been very different if I'd seen someone else that day and I'm forever grateful for her and her actions in saving my life.
Tests, extensive surgery and receiving a diagnosis
My local hospital did internal scans and I was told that I had a cyst. Initially I thought, well that doesn’t sound too bad and at least I know now.
I then went up to Worcester General Hospital for a consultant appointment. The consultant I needed to see actually had a clinic running that day, so I was squeezed in to her schedule.
After reviewing my scans she told me that she was worried. She then repeated it as to make sure I understood what she meant - “I’m really worried”.
I was so grateful to have my husband and a Macmillan nurse present in the room to start processing what might be happening. She got straight onto the calendar and booked my surgery there and then. Tuesday 8 July 2014.
It was an extensive surgery, and I lost a lot of blood. My husband didn’t hear from the team for about six hours. It was a full hysterectomy with my lymph nodes and omentum also removed.
The tumour itself burst during the operation and meant that they needed to wash out the area. It also led to my chemotherapy cycle that followed as they couldn’t be sure whether anything had spread or been missed.
Post surgery I was diagnosed with Stage 1 ovarian cancer. I now know how lucky I am that it was caught early.
Surgical complications, chemotherapy and losing my mum
Three weeks after surgery I started leaking urine from places it shouldn’t have been so it was back into hospital for a nephrostomy (a tube inserted into my kidney through my back whilst I was awake).
It was a painful experience, and I found it quite debilitating having a urine bag attached to my leg. After a couple of weeks a stent was inserted into my ureter and the tube removed.
The stent, which is normally removed after a few weeks, had to stay until all my chemotherapy was complete to avoid risk of infection. The side effects of my sessions were unpleasant. The actual day of the chemotherapy was the day I felt best. I was in a room with about 12 others and we’d chat, laugh, cry, eat biscuits - it was generally a good day.
Just after my penultimate chemotherapy session, I travelled to Liverpool to be with my mum for four days in hospital before she passed away.
Her funeral was on 19 December, the day after my last chemotherapy session. It was a tough time, and my team advised me to reschedule the session, but I was determined to start 2015 stronger and to get well again.
Saying yes to life again
I had to go back to my consultant every six months for a check-up. After almost four and a half years she asked if I wanted to continue as she was happy that I was still cancer free and they were not concerned.
I said thank you very much and agreed to say goodbye.
Having ovarian cancer has changed me. I like to think I’ve always been a positive person but now I’m sure of it.
July 8 is still a very special day for me. It’s the day my cancer was removed, the day I got my life back and the day I am eternally grateful for the wonderful people who gave me a second chance. I’m not going to waste a single second of it and want to make sure I continue to grasp it with both hands and say yes to every opportunity.
Getting back to nature and walking not only helped with my initial recovery but has been a big part of how I continue to celebrate being alive. It’s always been something I enjoy and continues to be a big part of my life.
In 2020 I wasn’t sure if that would be the case as I needed a hip replacement and had to learn to walk again. I just took it one step at a time, determined to get back to the beautiful hiking paths here in the UK. In 2024 I managed to take on Country Walking magazine’s ‘Walk 1000 Miles challenge’.
Raising funds and awareness
My son Lewis took on his own challenge in 2025 when he ran the London Marathon for Pancreatic Cancer UK in memory of his father. Then, after getting a ballot place for this year, he came to me and said he wanted to run it for Target Ovarian Cancer to honour my experience and help raise awareness.
It was such an inspiring day, you get to meet so many amazing people. Seeing Lewis after the race was very emotional for both of us, and I’m incredibly proud of him. It’s what encouraged me to reach out and share my story with the charity.
It does feel like awareness has grown since I was diagnosed, but there's a long way to go. I'll talk endlessly to anyone who'll listen about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and if my story helps just one woman then it’s worth sharing.
I can only talk about my experience, but my main message is always, if you’re not sure or something doesn’t feel right then please get it checked.
If you’ve been affected by this story and would like to speak to a specialist nurse, you can call our dedicated support line on 0808 802 6000 or contact us: [email protected]. We're open from 9am until 5pm, Monday to Friday.
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