"My journey of ovarian cancer"

My journey started after a small bleed in January 2023 and I was post menopausal.  I had the bleed over the weekend and it was still there on the Monday so I called my GP surgery and a doctor called me back on the Thursday but by then it had finished so I felt a fraud but my doctor sent me for a vaginal scan and something was noticed on the scan.

I was referred to Miss Borley at the gynaecology department in March. I was told that I had a cancerous tumour on the ovary which was surrounded by a 10cm cyst.  She arranged for me to have a minor operation to take samples of the womb which was performed by Miss Julyan, which were clear.

In April 2023 I went into hospital to have a hysterectomy. I required a large incision in order that Miss Borley could remove the cyst, tumour and ovary all at once to reduce the chance of cells from the tumour spreading.  My recovery was absolutely brilliant and the service I received was second to none from Miss Borley, her team and the Eden Ward where I recovered after the operation.  I was in hospital for 5 days. 

When you receive the news that you have cancer you feel scared and wonder what the outcome will be.  The speed at which Miss Borley arranged all my care was beyond belief and I am forever grateful - within about 7 weeks of the bleed I had had my hysterectomy and on the way to recovery. 

The support I received from the Macmillan nurses was brilliant - they were at the end of the phone for support all the way of my journey.  The only part of my treatment that was not so nice was having to inject myself at home for four weeks (I don't do needles) so was very apprehensive but knew that this was necessary to prevent clots. 

I had to wait a little longer  for the results of the tumour analysis as it was unusual and needed to be sent to Exeter.  My follow up appointments were brilliant and resulted in me being told in the June that the tumour had been removed successfully and was intact so I did not require any further treatment. My scar could hardly be seen and instead of stitches or clips I had received internal dissolvable stitches and my wound was glued so no infection of the wound at all. 

I recently had three urine infections and was slightly worried but again at the end of the phone  was Melissa and Emma the Macmillan nurses and I went back to see Miss Borley who assured me there was nothing to worry about but through my age my pelvic floor muscles needed to be strengthened. 

I felt I needed to tell my story as the NHS gets such bad publicity but people only moan about the bad stories and never give the NHS and staff the praise they deserve when the treatment someone receives is absolutely marvellous. 

My advice to any woman reading this is do not ignore post menopausal bleeds - they could be nothing major but it could be like mine and require intervention.  I now have an open appointment - so if I have any concerns I can just call the number and talk over any concerns and see Miss Borley again if required.