Elaine, 68 years

In January 1995, I developed some vaginal bleeding. My doctor performed a curette and an ultrasound revealed fibroids and a 10cm mass on my ovary. I was told I would need a hysterectomy, but a couple of weeks before the operation, I became extremely ill with several problems and was transferred from the country to Melbourne. My surgery was postponed but I had further tests and was told I had an abscess and an ovarian cyst.

The cyst was drained and I returned home. Later that year, I had another check scan and curette, which detected another polyp, but the bleeding continued and when I saw a specialist in June 1996, I was finally sent for a hysterectomy. From that I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer with lymph node involvement.

I had six weeks of radiation and six treatments of chemotherapy and was feeling alright until January 1999, when the cancer returned. I was given more chemotherapy with carboplatten, every three weeks for six treatments and again I was okay until February 2000. At this time I was admitted to hospital with a bowel blockage and was told there was little that could be done for me and that I would have to seek palliative care.

I was then given some medicine which cleared my bowels and within 24 hours I was feeling much, much better. I was referred to an oncologist in my home country town and he suggested we not give up, but should try more chemotherapy. This time I had taxol, and after two treatments changed to etopside capsules, but neither worked.

I had another cyst diagnosed and surgery to drain it and again started chemotherapy, using topetecan. This involved travelling to Traralgon to the Latrobe Valley Hospital and staying there for five days every month for the treatment. I also had a port-a-cath inserted, as my veins had shrunk with all the chemotherapy.

I am still having this chemotherapy and after three treatments my CA125 has fallen to 180. The spots on my liver have shrunk and so has the cyst. I have been fighting this cancer for nearly five years now and I am still hoping. My story shows that it is important to continue to follow up on symptoms and never to give up - there are many different drugs to try and some work for one person and not for others.

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