I was first diagnosed in 2010 with HGS ovarian cancer stage 3c. The tumour was 20 cm in diameter, and I had no idea! I was told it was equivalent to being 6 months pregnant.
It’s recurred 8 times since then, with chemotherapy each time, as well as surgeries when the chemotherapy wasn’t enough to deal with it.
I’m still alive and fighting fit. I keep teaching 17/18 year olds, and looking forward to the new year starting soon. I live in Sydney, Australia, so having a summer holiday at the moment.
I have also been diagnosed with Sarcoidosis which has made life a little more interesting. The next PET scan is on 17 February and oncologist visit on 20 February. The last few times, even though there has been evidence of disease, he has advised watching and waiting. I trust him explicitly, and I have enjoyed the break from treatment.
I got to speak at an oncology conference in November 2025 about my experience as a patient. It was fun, but also sobering, to talk to doctors/nurses/medical students about what I have gone through. A little confronting for them. I got a standing ovation, and there were a few teary people in the audience.
I had quite a few people come and thank me afterwards, even the next time I visited the hospital!