My journey and why i'm fundraising...
On 23rd August 2023, I went to the loo at work and the three signs of 'something is wrong with my stomach' kicked in...
💩 Tar like stool and black (like the midnight sky)
🅰️ The smell of blood was overpowering
😴 Tiredness, fatigue, dizzy and bloating
My gut instinct said call 111 and just ask. I was not okay and an ambulance was sent, in the meantime I turned into the ice queen barely keeping my eyes open.
Upon arrival at Frimley Park Hospital, they observed my stomach, checked all 'entries' when the nurse started to feel my right hand side. Something was not right and asked a doctor to come in for a second opinion. I had a smear like test (believe me I was not at all prepared) when they were confident in telling me, you need further tests.
30th August came along and my first internal ultrasound. During the scan, a 15cm cyst attached to my Fallopian tube and right ovary was found. Scared was an understatement. To be tested for Ovarian Cancer, were words I'd never thought I would hear.
8th September, I had an MRI which was... Loud. No results.
9th October I had a CT scan with Iodine which was... Uncomfortable. No results.
Within the last 2 months, my tummy was getting bigger, which means whatever was growing was increasing in size and fast. As a bariatric patient, gaining weight is now my biggest fear, but I had to keep my mind straight by thinking positive.
27th October was my appointment with a consultant. She was fabulous. Gave me honest feedback and told me plain and simple 'we cannot rule ovarian cancer out... But it needs to be removed. Quickly'.
20th November was my pre-op where I was weighed to have gained ALOT of weight...
29th November came and I had been praying to anyone that would hear me, to make sure it would go smoothly. After all I had done this before. As the nurses swing my bed round through the corridor, I see the sign 'Operating Room 17'. Anyone who knows me, knows 17 is my lucky/angel number but on this occasion it wasn't.
My right ovary was removed along with the fallopian tube. The cyst had got between 21-25cm length (the size of a cantaloupe melon) and they have found a dermoid cyst (the lost twin... It has nails, skin, nerves etc...) in my left ovary which is to be monitored. Thankfully, the cyst will be removed but we don't know when.
If I hadn't gone with my gut instinct that day, I would have had a full hysterectomy... and I so want to be a mum ❤️
The silver lining... I lost nearly 2 stone 😂
Ladies, a friendly reminder, check your ovaries! I don't know how, but speak to you GP, contact clinics etc you'll be thankful you did🙏🏼
After more tests, it was confirmed that it wasn't cancer, but going through this ordeal made me even more determined to fight it away with other women in the same position.
This is the first ever run/walk I have ever done. I'm not a gym person at all and i'm looking forward to team #LMOO raising funds for those in a similar position.
#LMOO - Laughing My Ovary Off - because if you don't laugh, you cry. I had the best support system. My friends and my family couldn't have done enough for me. They sat with me, cried with me, fed me, took every day stood beside me and that is what my aim is for others.
I may not have had it, but it's close to my heart.
If anyone would like to join the team, you're more than welcome and please get in touch.
E❤️
Amazing! Best of luck!