How a silent 15cm tumor led to Ovarian Cancer

My Name is Persida Lake,

 

After having our first child, Harrison in 2019 – Covid was announced as a deadly pandemic.

 

I suffered severe separation anxiety, which debilitated me from everyday life – including leaving the house. I feared the worst; and focused on our son immensely. I could not sleep without constantly checking his breathing or the home's temperature. Was he dressed enough, did I put the wrap on him properly, will he suffocate, will he roll over, will he just stop breathing?

 

Flooding my mind constantly, I started to isolate myself from family and friends. I was a lioness with my baby cub, and any threat I was ready to fight; having Harrison became my purpose.

 

Suffering the debilitating condition – I sought medical treatment with the support of my husband Terry, family and friends; I came out to the other end in 2021. We were then greeted with the news of falling pregnant with our second child in June 2021. Almost halfway through – we were given the notice that our baby did not survive; this then became our new challenge to face head-on. On another long road to recovery, we became stronger, wiser and more mindful of life.

 

In June 2022, I started sleeping more, eating less, and losing ambition. I was working endless hours from home and looking after our son, that I related the exhaustion to the sleepless nights as when you have a newborn. After a week, I went to see my doctor, and we ran tests, thinking I might be pregnant.

 

My doctor called Sunday morning, 5/6/22 - ultrasound revealed that I had a 15cm tumor on my ovary. I was told to present to ED, and I was admitted immediately. After days of numerous tests to ensure the tumor was benign before the surgery - I had to be operated on to save my life. Unfortunately, we no longer had the time to wait for the results.

 

Surgery was advised for approximately 1.5hours; it lasted over 5. I had lost 2L of blood in the process and was unwell during surgery; They saved my life.

 

I was advised to await the results. Then, exactly a week after surgery, I received the call to present for a discussion with the medical team at RBWH. I could hear the tone in the doctor’s voice, and I felt the tremble in her words. It was then I knew I had to ask what was going on.

 

She continued to tell me about the surgery, and my mind started to drift; hearing only keywords; the following keywords would change my life forever.

 

“The tumor presented as malignant, and you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer”.

 

At that point in time, I realised; that is all I have.

 

My knees start to shake; my palms are burning; I can feel my heart increasing as it takes my breath away. First, I feel the fear fill my body through every limb; now, I am numb.

 

After presenting to the appointment, hearing it from your professional, whilst they look at you with great sadness and repeat your diagnosis, it makes it real, and I look at my husband and son in fear.

 

Awaiting results will confirm the diagnosis stage, as the tumor removal may have spread. Further surgeries and ongoing treatment will be advised. My husband Terry has been diagnosed with Acute stress disorder and Adjustment Disorder from my diagnosis; it has severely impacted him, and is incapacitated to work for 3 months.

 

Thank you sincerely for taking the time to read my story; I believe in educating young women about this silent condition as it generally presents with no symptoms and goes undiagnosed until it is too late.

 

To our family, friends and supporters - there are no words to express my sincere gratitude for the love, support and encouragement we have received; this has severely impacted our physical, emotional and financial state.

 

Sincerley

Persida Lake