'I've been given the all-clear after ovarian cancer'
Battling ovarian cancer
I hadn't got a clue there was anything wrong with me when I was diagnosed in 2002. I was on holiday in Tunisia with my best friend Jackie when I got serious stomach ache. I was rushed to hospital where doctors told me my appendix had ruptured causing peritonitis. They had no choice but to operate.
When I woke up, doctors had removed my appendix - and my right ovary. I'd had a tumour on it, the result of ovarian cancer. I was so shocked, especially as I'd had no idea there was anything wrong with me. I'd said to Jackie just a few days earlier that I felt full even though I hadn't eaten anything. I know now that is one of the signs but at the time, it hardly seemed worth mentioning.
Back in the UK, doctors also found a 10cm tumour on my left ovary. They told me I had Stage 3 cancer, with Stage 4 being the worst kind. I had another operation to remove that tumour and had a full hysterectomy at the same time. I was 38 and didn't have children but I understood it had to happen to save my life.
The op was successful but I was warned that even with chemo, I might not make it, especially when a biopsy showed the cancer had spread to my liver and bowel. I had 9 cycles of chemo in all, lost my hair and felt dreadful. Even after that, I was told the cancer often comes back within 2 years.
But I kept positive and made it past then. I even kept working as a social worker. It's been a tough few years but in July 2007, I reached the five-year mark and was finally discharged from hospital with the all-clear. Even now I can hardly believe it and I'd like to give hope to other women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Things to look out for are feeling full when you haven't eaten or a swollen stomach. Basically, know what's normal for you and don't be scared to ask a doctor if you're worried about something. It could save your life.
Paula Larratt, 44, is a social worker from Kettering, Northamptonshire
- For more help and information, visit Ovacome at www.ovacome.org.uk, and Ovarian Cancer Action at www.ovarian.org.uk.
