Sharon:"My GP was convinced I was pregnant – anything else would be far scarier."

Sharon was a nurse and midwife. She was shocked when she found out she had ovarian cancer at age 40. She knew about the disease because her Aunt had died from ovarian cancer, but she never thought it would happen to her.

Like Toyah in Coronation Street, her doctor first thought she was pregnant, but when tests showed she wasn’t, they discovered she had stage 3 ovarian cancer. This started a tough journey filled with treatments, family support, and a strong fight to get better. Here Sharon talks us through her ovarian cancer story.

"When I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 40, I couldn’t believe it. I’d been both a nurse and midwife, and my Aunt had died of ovarian cancer – but I’d still never considered ovarian cancer an option. I didn’t feel ill! I had a bit of bloating and was tired, but I was also a Mum of three young kids, so being tired was pretty normal.

When I went to my GP he was convinced I was pregnant. He did everything bar deliver the baby, he was so sure I was pregnant. I was shocked, and confused – because I knew I wasn’t pregnant even though, to be fair, to my GP I did look it. Looking back now, I think he pressed the point so much because he hoped I was pregnant – because anything else would be far scarier.

We took a pregnancy test and it was negative, as I knew it would be. But then the question was – if it’s not pregnancy, what is it? I was sent for a scan, and saw an old colleague as I went. She tells me now she had the fright of her life seeing me walk in with the mass in my tummy. I still didn’t consider cancer.

When stage 3 ovarian cancer was confirmed, I thought of the awful statistics, and of my late Aunt. The doctor told me “I don’t work in statistics, I work in people.” It gave me hope.

My treatment got underway pretty quickly. I was booked in for a total hysterectomy, followed by six sessions of chemotherapy, taxol and carbonplatin at three weekly intervals.

This time was so tough. My children remember random snippets – the soft toys we gave them each to cuddle and comfort them, the time they spent at their Grandparents during the summer whilst I recovered, the Lucozade next to my bed. Missing time with my children made me so incredibly sad, but it was also the thing that made me fight the hardest to get better.

My husband was incredible. The cancer diagnosis was a shock to me, and just as much to him. He now had to be Mum and Dad, and he did it whilst keeping so positive. After my fifth round of chemo I asked him if he thought I might die, and he said “I don’t know.” I appreciated the fact he respected me enough to be honest, and loved me enough to know it’s what I needed at the time.

My faith was also so important to me during this time. I’ve been a Christian since I was young, and this was a huge source of comfort to me during treatment.  When my doctors couldn’t reassure me, God could. I felt protected by him during these moments.

My faith was also so important to me during this time. I’ve been a Christian since I was young, and this was a huge source of comfort to me during treatment.  When my doctors couldn’t reassure me, God could. I felt protected by him during these moments.

We also had the support of our community. From neighbours, to friends and people from our Church – we were never alone with what was happening to us.  People would come to cook, to do the washing up, to play with the kids. It felt a bit like a living eulogy of people coming to say goodbye, because people weren’t sure what was going to happen. My dad had a bell he’d ring when people had reached their allotted time, to ensure I was able to rest and not too worn out. We had a system, led by love and care for one another, and it worked.

Eventually, I was given the all clear. It was a miracle, and I’m so grateful. Since then I’ve been able to watch my children graduate, be at their weddings, and meet my first grandchild.

Now I volunteer to help others going through cancer. I’ve done it for Ovarian Cancer Action, and I do it for my local Maggie's centre to meet and greet patients for their treatment.

Truthfully, it’s so rewarding that I end up getting more out of it then I put in. It’s amazing to be able to support people in a way that didn’t necessarily exist back when I was diagnosed.

After beating ovarian cancer, Sharon now helps others who are going through the same thing. Her journey shows how strong people can be and how much a caring community can help.

Community is at the heart of everything we do at Ovarian Cancer Action - and it's our community that allows us to push for research breakthroughs in ovarian cancer prevention, earlier detection and better treatments.

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