Emma's Story
Emma from Jigsaw’s GPO store in Melbourne tells of her experience with ovarian cancer.
“I have worked for Jigsaw & M Webster Holdings since mid 1999, first as a full timer, more recently as a casual. Most of us know through our fundraising efforts that Ovarian Cancer is an extremely aggressive type. For example: a woman who has Ovarian Cancer has a 20% chance of surviving the next five years. A woman who has breast cancer has an 80% chance of surviving five years.
“After going to the doctor four times over a period of nearly two years, trying to figure out why I had occasional bouts of Gastro with no result, I insisted that my G.P refer me to a gynaecologist. The specialist found a large cyst. After more tests and waiting only six days, I was sent to Monash Medical Centre for urgent surgery. Lucky for me the doctors were able to remove the cyst, which was the size of a melon, and just one ovary.
“What I didn’t realise is that all those times I asked a customer to make a donation to Ovcare, I wasn’t just raising money so that a screening test will some day be possible, I was also raising my own awareness as to how important it is to listen to our bodies when they are trying to tell us something.
“After several weeks to recover from the operation, I started a five month course of Chemotherapy. I had 2-monthly and then 6-monthly check ups. I am now fit as a mallee bull and my prognosis is fantastic. Even better, I was married to a wonderful man in April 2007 and we are expecting our first child in the next few weeks.”
Awareness is one of the mandates for Ovcare. If you have a story you are willing to share about your experience with Ovarian Cancer we would love to hear from you. Please email us at info@jigsaw-aust.com.au or phone 1800 621 757 (within Australia).
