My recovery from cancer

My story - the reason for deciding to walk 100 miles for charity!

I am now 70, but when I was 67, in 2008,  I was having a few fleeting 'twinges' in my lower abdomen, but I was active, played tennis, did painting and decorating, and gardening, so I was not too worried. These 'twinges' went on for some time (June to September) before I realised they were getting more frequent and more uncomfortable. I also ignored 'bloating' thinking it was my age. 

I eventually went to my doctor at the beginning of October 2008, when the pain and spasms were quite severe - I thought I had just pulled an abdominal muscle!

My doctor, at the time, thought I had IBS, but also said I should not get that at my age - no investigations were set up and I was prescribed anti-spasmodics. These did not help, so I went as an emergency to see another gp, who tried his best to get me an urgent appointment. There were none for 3 to 4 weeks. I felt I could not wait that long, so I decided to see a consultant privately. I got an appointment the next day! He ordered several tests, but the problems were compounded by waiting for appointments and results. Initially, after one of the tests (a colonoscopy) I was told not to worry because I did not have cancer!

Eventually, I was told I had ovarian cancer and that I was being referred to Gynae Consultants, Peter Townsend and Simon Butler Manuel.  It was very frightening, but timely, as I needed treatment urgently.

 After a laparoscopy, it was confirmed that I had Primary Peritoneal Adenoma Carcinoma with secondaries in the ovaries. I was lucky it was diagnosed, because it is quite rare, and  it so easily could have spread to other organs. 

IT TOOK ALMOST THREE MONTHS FROM WHEN I FIRST WENT TO MY GP BEFORE I WAS DIAGNOSED! Let that be a warning - go early to see someone if you have any unusual discomfort!

 Of course it was a complete shock to be told I had cancer, as it is for anyone who is told that they have an 'incurable' disease. But, if you have also been a very fit and active person, who has never smoked, only drinks a glass or two of wine occasionally with a meal, eats a healthy diet most of the time, and is not overweight, then it seems to be a knockout blow for all that careful living. I also worked as a nurse and midwife in the NHS until I retired in 2001, so I had the insight (good and bad) into my illness once it was diagnosed, but I was still unaware initially. Neither myself, nor my GP, nor the first consultant I saw privately, knew what these symptoms signified. I think everyone should become more aware, and not assume a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome without thorough investigations into the cause, because it could be a symptom of a more serious condition.

On a more positive note, it was actually a relief to be told I could be treated, and my oncologist at St. Luke's Centre (Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford), Aggie Michaels, gave me so much confidence and hope. Chemotherapy was commenced on Christmas Eve 2008. I was to have 6 cycles, one every three weeks. By the second cycle I had lost my hair in great quantities, and all of it shortly afterwards! But that was a small price to pay for the hope of getting well again.

By the end of the 6 cycles, I had another laparascopy with samples taken, which showed that I was in remission!  My consultant said I could go away and enjoy my summer, get fit and well (for I had gone from 8st 9 to 6st 9!) and I would be seen every three months. He told me that the cancer would definitely return, but I was now within their radar, and when it came back, I would have an operation, and further chemotherapy.

I had a year of good health, with my three-monthly checkups. Then, in May 2010, my cancer marker blood test was rising (it was at the upper limit of 'normal'), I had a lot of vertigo and abdominal discomfort, so I was given a full CT scan, from brain to pelvis. Everything was normal, except for a small lump over my right ovary, confirmed as recurrent ovarian cancer by another laparascopy. So, on June 17th I had a total hysterectomy and removal of anything else suspicious. Three weeks later I started another 6 cycles of chemotherapy. My 6th and last cycle was 3rd November 2010. Onwards and upwards again!

Now I can look forward to rebuilding my former good health, and hopefully do my best to raise money for 'GRACE' by walking the 100 miles of the South Downs Way, from Eastbourne to Winchester. All being well, it should be from 1st to 9th May 2011. In the meantime, if anyone has done this walk, I would be pleased to hear any comments or tips, especially on good places to stop for lunch!

When I have fully researched the walk, and the b & bs on route, I will publish it on another post here, along with the dates where I will be each day. Watch this space!

Information about GRACE (Gynae-oncology Research And Clinical Excellence) and how to raise funds and awareness, is on my justgiving page at  http://www.justgiving.com/elsena-marsden

In Training!

Last week I ventured around the village on foot, for about a mile, walking up and down three small hills, stopping to cough, or catch my breath (the tail end of a cold). Prior to this, I was getting out of breath just climbing the stairs at home! I had to cover my almost-bald head with two woolly hats as the wind was bitterly cold! Next time I will not do a long walk unless it is less windy and less cold. The good news is, my hair is beginning to grow - perhaps one hat will suffice soon! Since the snow disappeared, I have managed to play some tennis, once or twice a week, to improve my stamina too. Gradually improving, from a few practice hits, to a few games, to a full set. My tennis friends are very supportive and encouraging. 'Mad Racquets' indeed!

2nd February 2011:  Decided on a longer walk - a good pace, 30 minutes to do 2 miles uphill on a gradual incline - stopped once to stretch my leg muscles, and still wore two hats against the cold! Downhill on the way home, stopping for a coffee on the way. Had a good stretch again on finishing.

3rd February 2011:  A bit stiff, but I loosened up with another game of tennis - lasted two sets this time! I hope I will soon manage to walk 10 miles at a stretch, or how will I manage my target of 100 miles in 9 days! Still, that is not until 1st May - three months away.

8th February 2011:  My first activity since the last post above! Has been very windy and wet. Today, went to Worthing, and walked 6 miles along the Sea Lane, stopping for a sandwich and a stretch, along the way. A wounded toe impeded me a bit (I put a chair down on it last week!), and got a blister as well. Must get some decent walking boots - had to wear my tennis trainers, for lack of decent footwear. However, not bad going, still managed 3 to 4 miles an hour.

9th February 2011:  Muscles are a but stiff this morning. Had a stretch and hot shower, then played two sets of tennis. The sore toe was more problematic than the hamstring tightness!  But managed a good game. Taking it easy this afternoon.

10th February 2011:  Toe still sore, but managed two sets of very enjoyable tennis this morning. Problem is I can do no more for the rest of the day! Feet up!

12th February 2011:  A beautiful sunny day, so went to Rottingdean and had a refreshing bracing walk along the undercliff path towards the Marina - nearly 5 miles by the time we got back to the car, via going up some really steep steps to the top of the cliff, then up the next cliff, and downhill into Rottingdean, and up the other side to the car park. Needed to stretch the hamstrings by then!

16th and 17th February 2011:  Tennis games both mornings, followed by birthday celebrations with my friends for my 70th, which is on Saturday (19th)!  No more training for several days, due to many planned Big Seven O lunches! Not nice weather this week anyway.  Good news is that one of my presents is a decent pair of walking boots, so no more blisters I hope! Just need to break them in a bit now.

19th February 2011:  70 TODAY!  Brilliant day, lots of lovely gifts, including two very welcome 'spa' treatments,  for use after my long walk! Also had a celebratory lunch with my family and close friends.... couldn't have asked for more.

4th March 2011: The weather has turned very cold again, so not much walking, more planning of the route by maps and internet in the warmth of the house! However, earlier this week, I drove to different areas along part of the route, to seek out car-parking facilities, bus routes and 'watering holes'! Still so much to do...

7th March 2011:  Sunny day - drove to another SDW/road junction, at Whiteways on A29. Fortified with coffee and cake at the cafe, walked along the public footpath to join SDW. It became a long drawn-out climb upwards as far as the eye could see! However, as I was only checking it out, I managed to walk for about 3 miles before I decided to head back to the car. Felt ok, as obviously it was downhill on the way back! Continued by car to the A286 and found a car park right next to the SDW just south of Cocking - a lovely little village, with a gastropub 'The Bluebell'. I walked only about a mile, along the SDW and back, both sides of the road, just to check out the path/road/tractor tracks! Lovely views when you get high enough! Noticed that Fernhurst was not far North of Cocking and Midhurst, so called in there to see a friend for a cup of tea.

8th March 2011:  Another nice day, so drove to Petworth, followed the A285 to Duncton Hill, where the SDW crosses over. Nowhere to park, so just stopped in the 'bus stop' area to check out the SDW either side of the road. This was the junction of Littleton Farm - a working dairy farm. Muddy tractor grooves and slurry! Walked up the steep hill on the driest side for about quarter of a mile. Beautiful views of the Downs, and of course the never ending upward trail on the other side of the road! (which is the one I will luckily be walking down!) Had a snack and some water, prepared to go onwards and upwards, but going into the newly ploughed field, there was no sign of the SDW! Not wishing to get lost on my own, I went back to the car, hoping that the SDW trail will be reinstated and the slurry and deep waterfilled tracks will dry up by May! Drove down to Selsey from there, to see some friends, and unexpectedly was invited to have a meal and stay the night! Whilst there, we walked 5 miles before dinner, and 6 and a half the next morning (9th March). Very glad to end that windy sea walk!

10th March 2011:  Played some tennis - battling with the wind - very gusty.  Good exercise though!

12th March 2011:  Off to Spain for 10 days for some relaxation and some walking in warm weather I hope!

27th March 2011:  Returned from Spain a few days ago, weather was variable - very windy (the Levante), overcast and very wet first few days, but we managed to walk through the howling wind and driving rain one day along the beach! The wild sea was spectacular! A few gorgeous days enabled us to walk further, and also to sunbathe on the terrace (the beach was still too wet). Because of the Levante, the planned walks in the mountains did not happen, so I will now have to do some urgent 'Downs' training!