This week we have a guest post from Diane, whose story is included in our ovarian cancer booklet. She shares thoughts about her diagnosis and the support she received, as well as what she’s up to now to raise awareness of ovarian cancer.
Being diagnosed
I went to hospital in April 2010. The symptoms I had were: the whole of my right leg was swollen to about three times its normal size, I was losing weight, had lost my appetite, had a swollen stomach and had diarrhoea. I’d been misdiagnosed with conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot, fibroids and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
The main thing to realise is that you know your body. Keep pursuing it if you know something isn’t right. Macmillan has information about the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer, and other common cancers, that might be helpful. If you notice anything that’s not normal for you, get it checked with your GP.
My GP was fantastic. I was being discharged from hospital on numerous occasions and the next day my GP would send me straight back to the hospital! In the end my GP referred me to a private clinic, and that’s where it was highlighted that I had enlarged lymph nodes. The results were immediately sent to my GP, and I was asked to have a biopsy.
Getting the news
After that, I was called by the doctor Friday evening and asked to come to hospital the following Monday. I was very distraught and didn’t know what to expect. I knew it was serious, but never thought it would be cancer. I was told that day I had cancer, and that I was lucky to be alive. I was also transferred to another hospital. I felt like I was on a conveyer belt, and I felt let down by the care I received at that point. I had no energy and didn't know what tomorrow would bring. But at the same time I was positive because I was determined that I would be there for my son.
I was assigned an oncology nurse who gave me all the information, but I couldn't take it all in. I had my family with me at the time, the nurse said that it would be so overwhelming and that I would need the Macmillan booklet Talking to children and teenagers when an adult has cancer. My son went through all the emotions that were described in it and I thank Macmillan for that. The hospital was also great.
I’d say that it's so important that you have positive people around you. I had a great network of family and friends, and I am true believer of healing in prayer as long as you have faith. At that time I was in a bubble, not really acknowledging my illness.
Starting treatment
I had three sets of chemotherapy before surgery, and then a further three sets of chemo. Because the cancer was stage 3, they wanted me to start the chemo straight away. But it was my sons 13th birthday a few days later, and I wanted to spend time with him as I wasn't sure if I would survive to see his other birthdays. So I did delay my chemo for until after that.
How was I helped?
I was helped by the Macmillan Support Line (0808 808 00 00). Through them I also got advice about grants and was signposted to groups that I could attend in my area. Macmillan has more information about getting support.
When my treatment ended, I had to find sources of support myself and I now go counselling as cancer has made a major impact on my life.
Raising awareness
I have participated in pathfinder for Target Ovarian Cancer and Macmillan. I have also been on Sky News and BBC News, featured in Woman Magazine, Pride Magazine, The Evening Standard and my local newspapers and been on radio stations. I love raising awareness for ovarian cancer.
To see what else Macmillan's cancer information team has been blogging about, please visit our blog home page! You can subscribe to receive our blogs by email or RSS too.
We're with you every step of the way
The Macmillan team is here to help. Our cancer support specialists can answer your questions, offer support, or simply listen if you need a chat. Call us free on 0808 808 00 00.
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