I had ovarian cancer with 3 nodes on one ovary and 5 on the other.

A number of Ultra sound Scans carried out at the wansbeck hospital, an indecisive consultant allowed the nodes to grow over the next few months, until eventually he referred me to the Queen Elizabeth hospital.

I was referred to Mr Metin, a consultant oncologist surgeon, who arranged a date for surgery in August 2012.

After the surgery was completed and a recovery time of approximately 3 weeks, I saw Mr Metin again. He informed me that the cancer was agressive and high grade and would never go away.

He referred me to Dr Dark a Consultant oncologist who wanted to start chemotherapy as soon as possible.

I had 6 bouts of chemotherapy into 2013, although the last one was cancelled as not needed.

During 2013 regular appointments and scans identified enlarged lymph nodes in the back area.

I was referred back to Mr Metin for surgery. In January 2014 I had surgery to remove 12 lymph nodes in my back. The surgery left me bed ridden for 4 months and in allot of pain. I ended up in the Wansbeck with Sepsis for 18 days in March 2014.

Once I recovered in May 2014 I continued my appointment’s with Dr Dark, with regular scans through 2014, 2015 and into 2016

During a regular scan enlarged lymph nodes were detected in my upper chest. I was referred for surgery to take a biopsy of one of the lymph nodes. The results came back as cancer same as the original.

Dr Dark put me on a course of Tamoxifen to stop the growth on the cancer. Continued with regular appointments and scans until December 2018 when it was discovered that the right hand lymph nodes was enlarged. 

I was referred to Mr Barnard a consultant therasic surgeon.

Surgery was carried out in January 2019 and the lymph node was removed. The second lymph node was in an area deemed inoperable due to its proximity to the heart, lungs and other vital areas. A drain was monitored and a bleed was identified. A week later I had to go back into surgery to repair the bleed.

I was taken off the Tamoxifen as it was determined not to be working.

In July 2019 Dr Dark wanted to reduce the number of appointments a year which we opposed. Our faith in Dr Dark had been waining for a while but this was the last straw. We asked for a new Oncologist and were appointed to Dr Hughes.

In October 2019 I had a massive asthma attack in the doctor’s surgery and was taken to hospital by ambulance. I was taken into the Cramlington hospital, transferred to the Wansbeck hospital after an a few days and then transferred to the Freeman hospital about 2 weeks after that.

While in the Freeman my right lung collapsed and I ended up in ICU. The surgery planned for the following Tuesday was brought forward to the following day, which was a Sunday.

After the operation to install a stent in my right bronchus airway. The cancer had been causing the airway to close.

On completion of the operation they reflated the lung but on removing the breathing aid I was not breathing on my own. As I had a DNR in place, the breathing aid was replaced and I was sent back to ICU.

Luckily then they were able to get me breathing on my own again. I was discharged in Nov 2019 only to go back to the Cramlington hospital 2 days later. I was transferred to the Wansbeck for a week of palitive care.

I was set up with help washing and dressing in the mornings by the NHS on my return home. I was also referred to a phycologist to help me deal with my emotions towards the cancer. 

After the stent was put in by Mr Barnard he wanted to see me, in hospital under anesthesia to check on the stent in particular and the right Lung in general.

After a check up in February 2020, Mr Barnard thought it wise to have radiotherapy on the remaining lymph node to try and stop any further growth.

In April 2020 I underwent 4 bouts of radiotherapy. Dr Hughes and Mr Barnard have kept their 3 monthly checks in hospital and remotely as the Pandemic hit.

In June 2021 I was taken into the Cramlington hospital with severe headache and no vision in the left eye. I was transferred to the RVI where they did emergency Lazer treatment to reduce the pressure in the eye. I had Glaucoma in the left eye and cataracts in both eyes.

They operated, reduced the pressure and dealt with the cataracts in the left eye. I was discharged in June 2021 after 2 weeks.

A few weeks later I was in the RVI to have the right cataract repaired. I was put on medication for my eyes.

I have outpatient appointments for my eyes and have continued to have problems with them both. The left eye has become a lazy eye not looking forward but 

looking to the left. The right eye is becoming tired with over use. I am under three consultants for my eyes and continue to attend outpatient appointments.

In December 2021, I was rushed into the Freeman hospital, by my doctor, with acute back and upper right leg pain. They increased my medication, carried out an MRI scan and an x-ray. I found a lump in my breast and was referred to the breat clinic at the RVI. I have been referred to an orthopedic consultant about my leg and the emergency eye clinic at the RVI as my eye sight has deteriated while in hospital.

I have 3 appointments in February and another at the begin of March.

There is no end to the treatment unfortunately.

I feel the NHS cancer services have helped me a lot, especially during the Pandemic.

Found that first oncologist consultant was telling me what was going to happen rather than giving me the options to decide myself.

I feel improvements have been made over the past 10 years. Although the staff at the Queen Elizabeth hospital were difficult to deal with.

A palitive care ward at Alnwick Infirmary.

Danielle

Photo to follow. 

Danielle