Catalina, 31 years

The shock of discovering I had an ovarian cancer tumour the size of a football came completely out of the blue. I had no obvious symptoms until one morning after Easter when I woke up with intense stomach pains. As the pain increased I was taken to the RPA, where after tests, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It was recommended that I undergo immediate surgery.

I’ve always been sporty and healthy and I couldn’t understand why this would happen to me. No-one is ever prepared to be diagnosed with cancer. But my gynaecological oncologist surgeon, Associate Professor Jonathan Carter was incredible. He explained my condition and the necessary treatment so well, and the whole medical team was kind, caring and professional, yet human.

I came from Columbia to study at Macquarie University five years ago, so I had no family nearby to support me, which was hard. But I was fortunate to have fantastic friends to support me before my mother arrived, just after my operation. My surgery was followed by chemotherapy at the RPA.

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