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