Experiences
Kim writes ...
It started with 'flu, and the resulting constipation drove me to the surgery on 17th November 1992. Two weeks of unsuccessful treatment for that, with gathering ascites, led me to Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton, where ultrasound showed masses in the right ovary and liver. The houseman told me that cancer was almost certain and arranged a gynae appointment.
The two days before surgery were spent updating my will and writing 52 Christmas cards, rightly suspecting I wouldn't feel like either activity afterwards!
At operation the omentum was so glued down with secondaries no surgery was possible apart from a biopsy and I was told that I had about a year. Offered chemotherapy, I answered "why bother?"; they said it would improve my quality of life and I accepted.
On Christmas Eve I saw Dr Graham, the Bristol Oncologist who visits Musgrove once a week, and on New Year's Eve I had my first carboplatin before going home to my flat and long-suffering cat.
In all I saw over 20 doctors, including anaesthetists and my own GPs, all but one beyond praise - the nurses also cheerful and tireless. The food in Musgrove was plentiful and good but my abiding memory is sitting up in bed at 11ish at night, and 5ish in the morning eating Marmite sandwiches. Despite eating like a pig, I went home one and a half stone lighter.
Six months of chemotherapy followed, hospital visits being fitted into lunches out and visits to the garden centre. Half way through a friend took me for a long weekend in Cornwall - wonderful!
The post-chemo CAT scan in July was clear! No-one, including Dr Graham and myself believed that was the end of it and a tight watch is still being kept, but four years on my Ca 125 is normal and I've stopped trying to cram the rest of my life into the next three months.
Since then I've redesigned the garden, returned to pottery and calligraphy classes and started a swimming club. My friends have been magnificent throughout, but I believe I owe my life to the speed of my assorted doctors, even when they themselves thought it wasn't going to make any difference.
Life is still blessed by the unpredictable and God bless the NHS.
Kim Noble
Williton, Taunton
Margaret: on joining"the C brigade"
I thought you might like to hear my experience of joining the 'C' brigade. I was diagnosed as having a tumour on my bowel and underwent an operation where I had a sub-total colectomy in November 1995. After I came round a few days later, the doctor told me that he was unable to find the primary tumour. I had a CT scan and it was then they suspected that the tumour was in my ovaries. It had spread right up to my bowel! I was in hospital for ten days and then was allowed home. I then had to attend another hospital to see a gynaecologist. He agreed to start me on carbo-platinum therapy on the 21st December. In May 1996 I completed the course, feeling tired and weak, but so grateful to everyone who had helped me through it.
Like everyone else who goes through chemo, I had bad days and black nights, but I have to say to anyone who is just starting chemotherapy to stick with it - there is light at the end of the tunnel.
In October 1996 my husband and I travelled to Australia to see our son and his family. We have two grand-children: Angus, who is three years old, and Meghan, who had just turned one. We hadn't seen Meghan and I was so thrilled to hold her in my arms. The journey to Australia did wonders for my self- confidence and I felt normal again.
I have been told I shall probably need chemotherapy again at a later date, but I feel I have had a second chance at life. I am so grateful for the skills of the doctors, and the unending support of my husband, family and friends. I hope this letter will give encouragement to other ladies to carry on fighting.
Margaret Hunt
Ayrshire, Scotland
