Victoria's personal journey with ovarian cancer began in May 2020 when, at 59 years old, she was confronted with the diagnosis of stage 3C high-grade serous ovarian cancer. This initiated a tumultuous period characterised by major debulking surgery and weekly chemotherapy sessions over seven months.
Before her diagnosis, Victoria experienced subtle symptoms like back pain and changes in bowel & bladder habits. It took approximately eight months of consultations with medical professionals before she received a definitive answer.
After some mild pelvic pain, her doctor sent her for a transvaginal and pelvic ultrasound that found a large tumour on her right ovary. After a PET scan, laparoscopy, and biopsies, it was confirmed that the cancer had spread to her peritoneal cavity and lymph nodes.
As a nurse and nursing lecturer, Victoria has dedicated most of her career to educating and empowering future healthcare professionals. Ironically, despite her proximity to ovarian cancer patients and her knowledge of two colleagues who had passed away due to the disease, the symptoms didn't trigger alarm bells until in hindsight.
Her diagnosis thrust Victoria into the dual roles of caregiver and patient, but she drew strength from her close-knit family – married with three children and six grandchildren. Alongside her colleagues who shaved their heads to raise funds, they provided support as she confronted the uncertainties of her condition with determination.
Despite her extensive healthcare background, Victoria was initially unaware of the organisations available to her, such as Ovarian Cancer Australia (OCA), until she chanced upon them through social media. Through these channels, she discovered invaluable resources and support, including the compassionate guidance of ovarian cancer nurse consultants like Fi.
"Fi was amazing – I can't praise the service enough. It was the right amount of support at the right time, and even though I've been in remission for some time, she still checks in every 6 weeks or so," Victoria expressed gratefully, acknowledging the vital role Ovarian Cancer Australia played during a dark time.
Residing in a regional area of East Ballina posed challenges for Victoria, from enduring a 1.5-hour commute to the nearest hospital to having limited access to psychological services. With the assistance of OCA’s Psychosocial support services and dedicated professionals like Clinical Psychologist, Dr Lauren Williams, she overcame these hurdles and emerged more resilient than ever before.
Victoria's experience was marked by physical trials, including balance problems initially and ongoing peripheral neuropathy & fear of recurrence. Nevertheless, her personal journey fueled her advocacy for ovarian cancer awareness. "Every step of this journey has taught me something new," Victoria reflected, stressing the importance of advocating for enhanced care and support for ovarian cancer patients.
Through her role as Regional Coordinator & Presenter for ANZGOG’s “Survivors Teaching Students” and community ambassador for OCA, Victoria champions patient-centered care, amplifying the voices of those affected by ovarian cancer. “I now have a broader awareness of what people need and use this to educate others, emphasising the importance of empathy and viewing patients as whole individuals.”
Now at the age of 63, Victoria remains hopeful that increased awareness will change the ovarian cancer narrative as she uses her voice to advocate within our community. With resilience and determination, she refuses to let cancer define her, embracing each day with fortitude.