Lorraine was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer, aged 41. In an extract from her blog, she looks back on her diagnosis and treatment.I started feeling 'out of sorts' around Christmas.I’d gone off my food, kept getting stomach ache and feeling sick. I felt out of breath when I did any sort of exercise, which I put down to overindulgence during the holiday period.The symptoms continued to get worse. I felt bloated and had to buy new clothes because I was gaining weight, even though I was on a diet.I couldn't sit comfortably at my desk at work and constantly had to go to the toilet to wee. I suffered with chronic constipation and, even when I did move my bowels, it didn't feel like I’d completely emptied them.I wondered if this was a bad flare up of IBS.
First trip to my GP:
By the end of February I was feeling so poorly and miserable I booked an appointment with a GP. As I walked into the surgery there were posters up for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, listing some of the most common symptoms:persistent bloatingfeeling full very quicklyneeding to wee more oftenchanges to your bowels. That was the first time I considered it might be something serious. My GP examined me and immediately ordered some blood tests. There was a marker in the blood used as an indicator for inflammation in the pelvic area – mine was quite high. I later learned this was called the CA125. 
Tests and diagnosis:
I was referred to a gynaecologist for further investigations.My tummy was filled with fluid called ascites and this was making it difficult to find my ovaries. They drained off five litres of fluid from my stomach, some of which was sent to the lab for further tests.I was introduced to a Macmillan nurse so I knew it was pretty serious.In March, on the day my Nanna died of stomach cancer – I was told they’d found cancer cells in the fluid. My next set of scans had to be fitted around my Nanna’s funeral.The CT scan confirmed I had something called primary peritoneal cancer. The peritoneal is the lining of the tummy. This not only contains the ovaries but also the kidneys, liver and pancreas, as well as the digestive system.
Moving closer to family:
I decided to move closer to my family, handed my notice in at work and got a referral to The Christie in Manchester.My new consultant was not satisfied with my initial diagnosis and wanted a biopsy to confirm the type of cancer because it would influence my treatment options.Unfortunately my diagnosis did not turn out to be straight forward. After a series of painful procedures, I was eventually diagnosed with a low grade ovarian cancer at the end of July after having surgery. Low grade means that the cancer grows and spreads very slowly.My cancer was not curable because it was quite advanced and I needed chemotherapy to mop up the cancer cells.l am currently having my third lot of chemo in four years after hormone therapy failed.
Running for charity:
There are days I feel sad and angry, when I consider what I’ve given up for the cancer. However, writing my blog has helped me look back and consider what I’ve gained since my diagnosis.I love to run, but having cancer now makes it a bit more challenging. These days it is all about staying healthy, raising awareness and money. Target Ovarian Cancer has done so much for me. It has given me something to focus on and helped me adjust. Now I want to do something for them.
Friends & Family:
Carl and I became friends last year because of my obsession with all things running I dragged him along to my local running club little knowing that would ignite his own obsession. He has been wanting to do the Great North Run for a while but missed out on this years ballot so I suggested a charity place and he got in just in time.
My brother, David Broadhurst, has agreed to join the team. He Ran the City of Salford 10k and mum and I went to watch him. He finished around 52:38 and looked really strong.

Carl, Tracy and I have enterted Plymouth Half it is on my birthday and is the first half I did. I finished it in 2007 and said I would never do it again lol.

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