In May 2017, my life could not have been any better. I had just moved back home to Newcastle upon Tyne after spending the last 3 years living in New Zealand and Australia, though I was carrying a little extra weight than I would have liked.

In November 2017, I had lost weight from all over my body apart from my stomach, so went to see the GP about this assumed bloating. Four months later, in March 2018, after numerous trips back and forward, I woke up in chronic pain and was back at the GP. We had ruled out IBS, constipation, diet, stress and the contraceptive pill and this time I was sent to hospital where I had blood tests, scans and ultrasounds and was informed that there was a large mass in my abdomen. I was given an appointment to see a consultant in 2 weeks time.

2 weeks later, I met my consultant and was informed that my CA125 blood levels were just under 3000 (anything above 30 is considered abnormal and suspicious.) Another ultrasound was performed and it was confirmed that the large mass was in fact potentially a cancerous tumour. Serious discussions were had and I was referred over to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead where they specialise in Gynaecological practice.

May 9th 2018 I went in for my first operation; an exploration, which showed that there were actually 2 tumours, 1 on each ovary. Biopsies showed that the tumours were borderline cancer. On June 4th 2018 I was back for further surgery and signed the biggest consent form I have ever seen. I had agreed to almost every organ in my abdomen being removed or reconstructed and was preparing myself for life with a stoma bag. Due to the skilled work of my surgeon, I underwent a full hysterectomy, removal of 37 pelvic lymphnodes and the removal of my omentum, and the 2 tumours with combined weight of 14lbs. No stoma bag needed and all other organs intact.

Results from histology came back and I was diagnosed with stage 3 low grade ovarian cancer. Low grade is the rarer form of the disease and I was just 1 stage away from being terminal. I was 25 years old.

I then spent 18 weeks on chemotherapy, and in December 2018 I was told that my scans showed no evidence of disease. I did it. I got through it. I beat cancer.

I am now aiming to raise as much money as possible to give back to two of the organisations who helped myself, family and friends throughout this entire time. Maggie's Cancer Care Centre and Target Ovarian Cancer have provided outstanding support and offered hope, encouragement and inspiration. It is now my turn to return the favour to them and I ask you to donate as much as you can to help me do this.