Alison's Journey with Ovarian Cancer

My name is Virginia and this is Ali's story of her journey with Ovarian Cancer.

Our beautiful friend is modest and humble. I am writing this on her behalf and that of her husband and children.

Our friend is giving in nature, wanting the best for those she loves and calls family and friend. This aspect of Ali’s nature has gently permeated into every thread of her life, and blooms with a steadfast passion as a disability support worker, helping and guiding young adults into meaningful employment, transitioning into the workforce.

In February 2021, Ali’s life changed, her family’s life changed in a way that no one person ever wants to go through. This change was quiet, sneaky even, weight gain, bloaty, constipated and feeling generally unwell. Pain crept in and in two weeks it escalated. Badly.

Her eldest child, bearing witness to Ali’s pain, called Bryan – her husband - home. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital become Ali’s home for a number of days. The pain meds were upped, her arm was reduced to a red welting pin cushion and the need to hold a pee became legendary for every ultrasound she endured. Ali and her family learned over those days; she had an overly large 12cm – yep 12cm think of the size of an orange - cyst on her right ovary.

Ali was booked in for surgery the following week. It was successful and her operating gynecologist was happy with the procedure and told Ali not to worry, as any result that is bad usually arrives quicker than a blink of an eye. Having not heard after two weeks, Ali and her family, heaved a sigh of relief at the day of her follow up post -surgery appointment, because no news was good news right and they hadn’t heard anything, so must be ok.

The news was the worst any one person could be told. Our beautiful friend crumpled at the words “stage 3 aggressive ovarian cancer…”

Nothing prepares you for that, nothing.

On 12 April 2021, Ali was in surgery for a total hysterectomy. The Gynecological Oncologist also removing several lymph nodes to check for cancer spread. Chemotherapy next to eliminate random noxious cancer cells.

In speaking with Ali and her family, it is their fundamental desire to bring awareness of this insidious, silent disease to the wider community.

At the centre of this cancerous storm, is Ali. Yet her journey touches everyone in her life. Her nearest and dearest, work colleagues, her kids sporting clubs, and school. An emotional, difficult and tough journey is being compounded with financial stress. Unexpected out of pocket expenses, not being able to work, her husband taking time from his employment for her care; the everyday household bills are mounting up. Wanting to feel and live their lives as normally as possible is taking its toll, in more ways than one.

Ali and her family need to concentrate on the journey of recovery and getting Ali back well and healthy.

On their behalf, I humbly ask and appreciate any donations to help them recover, with great thanks and gratitude.

Ali has expressed that 10% of donations received will be forwarded to the Letitia Linke Research Foundation (LLRF) for ongoing research and funding to early detection tests for Ovarian Cancer. 

The Letitia Linke Research Foundation Inc is a South Australian based not for profit charity aimed at increasing awareness of Ovarian Cancer – sometimes called the silent killer. We raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of this insidious disease and our annual event the Adelaide Silver Style raises funds to finance research, to find an early detection test and develop more directed and personalised treatment for women with Ovarian Cancer. Together we can make a difference.

A world where an early detection screening test, means early detection and cure for Ovarian Cancer. To raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of Ovarian Cancer. To fund research into finding a reliable early detection test for Ovarian Cancer. To fund research to develop directed, personalised treatment to improve survival rates for women with Ovarian Cancer.

https://adelaidesilverstyle.com/letitia-linke-research-foundation-inc/ 

https://llrf.org.au/