Today marked the second milestone on my road to recovery. After having my blood taken and the test coming back as suitable to proceed, I started my second session of chemotherapy. Below are some pictures of my experience.
Thank you to doctors and nurses of the Royal Marsden for keeping a smile on my face and to my aunt for the foot rubs!
#FindingCyril
“This cancer is aggressive. It could even have come on in a matter of weeks.” This is what my consultant told me after giving me the diagnosis. The shock of the diagnosis was even more compounded by the fact that I had a pelvic scan and CA125 blood test 7 months ago. My one saving grace is that the 4th doctor I saw picked on the cancer from the symptoms I had.
The aim of this blog is to raise awareness to the fact that these symptoms can be easily misdiagnosed as IBS. This is what happened to me 3 times in the space of two weeks. Initially, my GP, a gastroenterologist and an A&E doctor all assumed I had IBS and constipation after feeling my stomach and doing a generic blood scan. The symptoms I had included:
Due to the misdiagnosis, I was prescribed laxatives. Whenever I took these, I felt worse and the pain and discomfort intensified. Once I was diagnosed properly, my doctor explained why this was. The bloating was from a huge build up of liquid around my organs (they drained off almost 5.5 litres). From what I understand, this liquid put pressure on my bowels, constricting them and stopped me from using the toilet. When I took the laxatives, I felt worse because I got more and more clogged up.
These symptoms came on quickly over a couple, of weeks and as they went on they intensified. It wasn’t until I went to A&E for the second time (due to the pain and discomfort) that they finally did a CT scan.
These symptoms can be too often be confused with bowel issues. If you experience these symptoms, please go straight to the GP. Nag, moan, complain and make a pain of yourselves if you need to girls but please make sure you get checked! I am just very thankful, grateful and happy that my symptoms were picked up on and that I am able to have the treatment to get better.
If you experience these symptoms, ovarian cancer must be considered regardless of age. It is rare at a young age but it can happen.
For more information look at the websites below:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cancer-of-the-ovary/pages/symptoms.aspx
#FindingCyril
As a 27 year old walking into a chemotherapy room, I was frightened beyond belief. A fellow teacher sitting on the chair next to me spoke to me about her experiences because she could see that I was so young and distressed. She wrote the message above in my journal to give me hope.
It’s the support from family and friends that helps you find the courage to walk through that door and sit in the chair. The photos below show a pamper bag my sisters and brother put together for me, a picnic prepared by my friends and my wonderful boyfriend who supported me to get writing!
I woke up on Monday full of fear wondering what the day would hold for me. Of course I was anxious, who wouldn’t be. But, I was a good girl and still had my breakfast! I really want to try and keep my hair, so I’ve decided to try the Cold Cap which is like a helmet filled with a special gel and freezes the scalp to below -2 degrees. We’ll have to wait and see if it works. IV line in place and 6 1/2 hours of chemo started to flow through my veins. How odd that to kill this disease, I’m being filled with poison. Poison to kill a poison. If you’re wondering if it hurt…the answer is no. It’s so important that young people are made aware of the brutality of cancer and that it can attack anyone. Cancer does not discriminate, it can effect anyone at any time and at any age. My first chemo session was documented by my father via texts to our family WhatsApp group!
#FindingCyril
Finding Cyril 