Jamie Wildman
27 February 2017
After initally thinking that her symptoms were related to her diet, Jamie was eventually diagnosed with stage 3b grade serous tubal ovarian cancer in May 2015.
"It started with constant colds.
In 2013 I decided to try out a juice fast but I couldn't lose weight. Going to the gym left me fatigued, and I was always getting colds.
Normal daily activities left me feeling exhausted.
I had indigestion, chronic diarrhoea and bloating.
It took one and half years to finally get a diagnosis.
In 2014 I went to my GP and with a sore lower abdomen.
She sent me for an upper abdominal scan and they said I had a slightly fatty liver.
When I saw a nurse for a follow up she told me I didn't look like someone with a fatty liver.
I changed GP.
By now my pain and bloating was more problematic.
I was having trouble swallowing and my diarrhoea had become chronic. I also constantly needed to urinate at night.
One GP told me to take peppermint tablets. I felt like I was a typical 'problem patient'.
In 2015 I was determined to sort it out. I had ascites but just thought it was the food I was eating. So I gave up gluten.
"I wasn't sent for a scan until May and it showed many growths on my ovaries. I had stage 3b grade serous tubal ovarian cancer."
Jamie Wildman
In March I met up with an old friend I hadn't seen in years. Luckily for me she's a GP. She asked why I wasn't eating so I told her that I was bloated and uncomfortable.
She felt my now pregnant-looking belly and told me to ask for a CA125 blood test and a pelvic ultrasound.
I made an emergency appointment and asked for the tests and, reluctantly I felt, the doctor took my blood. He said "Your friend is really a GP? If I were concerned about you, I would send you for a colonoscopy."
I wasn't sent for a scan until May and it showed many growths on my ovaries. I had stage 3b grade serous tubal ovarian cancer.
Today I am about to have my fourth session of chemotherapy of Carboplatin and Paclitaxel.
Now I am dealing with peripheral neuropathy from the chemo.
I don't mind the mid line scar, the weight loss (a bonus) or the hair loss.
I do mind being treated as if I was making things up. I do mind not being taken seriously."
