Leane Flynn, 51, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in April 2017, again in March 2018 and she is currently going through chemotherapy for the third time for another recurrence in February 2019. Throughout her treatment, she has been an Ambassador for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF), helping them to raise awareness about the disease and vital funds
"At the start of 2017, I had some bloating and was urinating more than usual. I put it down to menopause but had a blood test and scan to be sure. When my doctor rang me after the tests, I knew something wasn’t right. When she told me I had ovarian cancer, and I went into shock.”
Major surgery was done a couple of weeks after diagnosis, and they removed a Coke can-size tumour from each ovary and another one growing between the liver and diaphragm. 6 months of chemotherapy was then done which resulted in no evidence of disease in November 2017. This is a fantastic result, but statistically, ovarian cancer has a 90% recurrence rate when found in later stages (which it usually is). Because symptoms are so vague most women are found in Stage 3 or 4 which doesn’t have a good survival rate.
It can be hard to stay positive and focused on treatment with such a bad prognosis, but with 3 daughters [who are 22, 20 and 15] and an incredibly supportive husband, you just have to take each day as it comes.
Sharing my story and helping to raise awareness and hopefully make a difference is what motivates me to keep going.”
Author credit: Leane Flynn