Angela: The scan revealed a huge cyst the size of a football

Angela shares her story, including how her symptoms first started, being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2015 and volunteering with Ovarian Cancer Action.

"My journey began in May 2015. I had just finished an Open University degree and had been working full-time.

I remember the last couple of months before my degree finished, feeling tired, bloated and in a bit of pain. I had put this down to the studying. Unbeknown to me I had a large cyst which was gradually increasing in size.

One morning I woke up and noticed my ankles and legs were slightly swollen. I made an appointment to see the GP and she suggested I go to A&E immediately to rule out DVT. The scan came back negative.

Meanwhile, as time went by my stomach seemed to increase in size and I decided to head back to the local health walk in centre. The doctor explained that I had a mass and referred me urgently to St Mary's Hospital for a CT scan.

The scan revealed a huge cyst the size of a football along with large fibroids and a follow up appointment was made with Queen Charlotte and Chelsea hospital.

By this time I had already decided to have an abdominal hysterectomy and around August of that year I developed a persistent cough.

The operation had been booked for July and funnily enough I was looking forward to getting the operation out of the way. I had another scan and unfortunately more bad news. The scan revealed liver scarring, i.e. liver disease.

I had never been much of drinker but apparently it was discovered that I had portal hypertension of the liver. This meant they had to put the operation on hold until they had an MDT meeting with the liver specialist.

I remember feeling deflated but I decided to follow guidance from my husband and cousin’s husband by putting my trust in the NHS team.

It was mid-August and a lovely sunny day. I felt I needed to go for a walk in the park. We had only been walking for a short while when I had excruciating pain in my stomach and I collapsed with breathing difficulties.

Looking back I’m glad this happened because the operation was brought forward, but not until October.

Once the operation was over I felt so relieved. I spent nine days in hospital due to various complications. I had forgotten about the biopsy results thinking all would be fine. Little did I know that two weeks later I would be told that I had stage 3a1 Grade 2 serous mucinous ovarian cancer on a background of endometriosis.

I had always tried to remain positive and this seemed the only way to deal with what had been thrown at me. Therefore, I took the view that I should continue to remain positive.

I began by having carrot juice everyday along with smoothies, including supplements such as chia seeds, acai powder, vitamin C powder and goji berries whilst I underwent chemotherapy treatment for eighteen weeks.

I went out on short walks every day. I realise I was lucky to have a supportive husband, family and friends so this, coupled with my daily intake of vegetables and fruit, helped me through a difficult time.

I always say to anyone going through cancer treatment that it is all about managing the side effects and being around positive people. I just thought it has happened and I have to get on with it.

I finished my treatment in May 2015. I am working with Ovarian Cancer Action as a volunteer and will always be grateful to the wonderful team at Catherine Lewis & Gary Weston Centre under the care of Professor Gabra."