The Journey
“This is serious, I suspect ovarian cancer and I have already contacted the hospital for an appointment”. The words from the GP that were going to change our lives for ever.
A whirlwind period of meetings and numerous tests and scans followed all carried out by Angels disguised in uniforms but we soon learnt that they were really Angels.
Next the first of many meetings with a senior Angel, although she preferred to go under the title of Consultant. Yet more tests and scans until finally confirmation of Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer, treatable but non-curable. Our emotions ran wild. Relief at knowing, disbelief, extreme anger, resolve and always the question why?
What a hell of a rollercoaster ride we found ourselves on. Slow uphill climbs then rapid descents but lower and lower each time. Dips and twists and turns all out of our control. Days into weeks into months becoming both the longest (and shortest) two years of our lives together.
Treatment after treatment, 29 sessions of chemotherapy. At times it felt like the treatment was actually harder to endure than the illness. Highs but mainly lows. Good news followed soon after by bad.
Knocking us down and putting us firmly back in our place. The brave faces became harder to put on as each day passed. Staying positive a thing of the past.
At times it felt as though we were characters in a book. One chapter ends another starts, never knowing how many chapters there were. The next page was always blank until we finished the current one. Always hoping it was not to be the last.
The Rollercoaster was replaced by a Merry-Go-Round but without the merry. That in turn was replaced by a treadwheel. We ran as hard as we could, then we walked, then we crawled but we were getting absolutely nowhere eventually collapsing from a combination of exhaustion and despair.
Cancer takes few prisoners, shows little mercy. You may think you have won a few battles on the way but cancer has no respect for human life and was always going to win this particular war.
So it was to be. On Christmas Day of all days. The Angels were still with us to the very end still trying their utmost to ease the pain and suffering.
We will always remember the most wonderful people we came into contact with on our journey and thank them from the bottom of our hearts for all the care and attention given to my wife.
It certainly was not from want of trying!
"tapestry48" passed away on the 25th of December 2015. She found great comfort and support from your members comments, questions and answers. Knowing she was not the only person going through these problems helped her at some very low emotional moments in time.
NICE review olaparib and bevacizumab - your comments needed
ON THE 9TH / SEPT I HAVE MY CT SCAN.
Alan & Jenny
World Ovarian Cancer Day: May 8th 2013
