"I wanted my family to have somewhere to go to feel safe, supported and comfortable."

Jacqueline’s Story

I was first diagnosed with stage 3 high grade serous ovarian carcinoma in October 2017, after a long year of experiencimg various different symptoms. I just vividly remember being called into the room and being told I had cancer and that it had spread. Shortly after the diagnosis, I had a major operation to remove part of the tumours (I think there were about 11). However, once in surgery, it turned out to be much worse than what had been initially anticipated, meaning I had to have a colostomy bag.

After my surgery, I stayed in hospital for about a week before I was allowed to go home, although this was short lived as I was re-admitted to hospital for four weeks as another tumour had been found to be blocking my bowels completely, with further deposits on my spleen, diaphragm, liver and lungs. I had to stop eating while the doctors waited to see whether my bowel was ever going to work again - it was literally a life or death situation. Chemotherapy started straight away and consisted of 6 cycles of carboplatin and paclitaxel. Soon after, I was told I had No Evidence of Disease (NED), but this didn’t last too long either, as in July 2019, I was told I had a relapse. The cancer returned as serosal disease on the liver porta which is now incurable.
This meant I had to undergo another 6 rounds of the same chemotherapy with all of the same side effects: losing my hair, eyelashes and eyebrows for the second time. I am now taking a PARP inhibitor drug called rucaparib which I take at home in tablet form. I have scans every 3 months and blood tests every 4 weeks. I will carry on taking these tablets to control the disease for as long as they continue to work. And to my amazement - they certainly have been doing, as my last few scans have come back with No Evidence of Disease! I pray that this will continue and if so, I am hoping that the surgeon will agree (if safe to do so) to a colostomy reversal in the near future.
Throughout my journey Maggie’s have been there every step of the way. I visited Maggie’s with my family in 2017 before my operation as I wanted my family to have somewhere to go to feel safe, supported and comfortable - outside of the hospital waiting rooms. I never expected to be engulfed in the warmth and welcoming environment that is Maggie’s. They have been a safe haven for me and my family throughout my journey and I know that they will always be there for us all in the future, whenever we may need them. It is such a wonderful, warm and relaxing space that not only offers the emotional and mental support that you may need when going through cancer, whether that be speaking to a specialist or just a cup of tea and a cry around the kitchen table, but also a wide range of courses, activities and classes (such as living with cancer, relaxation classes, cooking, yoga, and I even joined the choir!) to help you find your feet before, during and after treatment. I honestly cannot put into words the support that Maggie’s have offered us over the last few years and I cannot wait to give back as part of the Class of 2021!