Kevin Guiney - Husband

Women, have written much about this insidious disease to women, about those who have to endure it.

After witnessing Shirley suffer through 18 months after her tumor was found and removed and then finally to lose her battle, I now realise the emotional upheaval that other husbands, partners and families must also be going through every day, as we did. Shirley was very strong through it all and I can only imagine what she was feeling and to have to stand by and be powerless to help her, can only be described as horrific.

So I write in the hope that whoever may be going through this nightmare now and in the future with their loved one, may in their turmoil acquire some realisation that there are many others like you who trying to cope and go on. At the time that it is happening, you feel that you are the only ones affected as I did and ask why your dear wife or partner is in this terrible situation in the first place, why her? Believe me, contrary to what is said, time doesn't dull the pain, memories and loneliness. However now after more than two years since losing Shirley, I now have a strong ambition to take some revenge, by trying to deprive ovarian cancer of as many future victims as possible. By promoting in various ways, early detection and awareness, since if detected early survival rates are very high.

My sons have lost their mother, grandchildren their grandmother, her mother - a daughter and myself, my life partner to this evil disease. If we had known and pursued further medical investigation in the early stages when a bowel complaint was diagnosed, maybe the ovarian tumor would have been found, removed and Shirley would still be with us. The bowel was treated over a long period and the time was hiding the growing tumor.

Early detection and being aware in this place, is vital for survival.

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