Endometriosis Really was Ovarian Cancer

Learning to live with ovarian cancer
BY MICHAEL CLEGGETT
16 Feb, 2011 11:32 AM
Jay Greenaway knows all too well the difficulties associated with detecting ovarian cancer.
The Katoomba resident went through two years of constant surgeries and pain after being diagnosed with endometriosis before a second surgeon found during an operation her suffering was being caused by ovarian cancer.

It was a jarring discovery for the then 32-year-old.

“I woke up expecting to have had a hysterectomy with the possibility of retaining my ovaries and a good outcome, I woke up to cancer,” said Jay.

The first thing Jay’s doctor said to her was “Cancer is not a death sentence” and eight years on she is still living with the realities of her “new life”.

“Ovarian cancer sucks and it will get me in the end because there is no cure.

“You can only manage the disease, like managing diabetes, and that is what I’m doing — I am a good manager,” said Jay.

Throughout February an effort is on to increase awareness of the symptoms and impact of ovarian cancer as well as raising vital funds for support programs and research.

Ovarian Cancer Australia chairwoman Paula Benson said Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month was vital in educating the community about the disease.

“Our aim is to ensure every woman knows the symptoms, understands that there is no early detection test for ovarian cancer . . . and that only knowing and identifying the symptoms can aid in early detection that can save lives,” Ms Benson said.

“This year more than 1200 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and sadly, around 800 will die from the disease,” she said.

Despite the ongoing challenges of chemotherapy, Jay has learned to focus on the positive things in her life.

“I have a good life. I live in the Mountains, I love an amazing woman . . . I have a cute dog, I work and enjoy it still, I have an amazing network of friends and nurses and chemo angels who all help to keep me well and having good quality of life,” she said.

“I have learnt to accept change, to do what I can, that all my plans are fluid, that throwing up in the car on the M4 is not the worst thing that can happen in a day. That my body is strong, that I like being alive and that lots of people love me.”

Recognising the importance of connecting with other women in the same situation, Jay recently started The Lemon Tree, a group for lesbian women with cancer, and their carers.

She urged women to take responsibility for their own health.

“Get a second opinion. Ask, ask, ask and keep asking. Don’t expect the doctors to know what you need to know,” said Jay.



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DERAILED Memoirs of a Botched Hysterectomy - Hysterectomy to Remove Fibroids and Cyst - Really was ENDOMETRIOSIS! How does an outwardly healthy 47-year old woman's "routine hysterectomy" become an 18-day ordeal spanning 2 hospitals, 4 surgeries, and $400,000 in medical bills?

DERAILED is a true story - one woman's terrifying journey through a seemingly endless comedy of errors, miss-diagnosis, and near-death experiences. The reader will find themselves immersed in the constant stream of turmoil experienced by the unsuspecting patient; including cover ups, good doctors protecting bad doctors, and hospitals pitted against the other. Who is she? She is any woman, anywhere and everywhere.

Written by a woman unwilling to give up, the author's light hearted approach will endear you to the class and dignity she portrays; including scores of useful medical facts based upon subsequent research in the areas of fibroids, cysts, endometriosis, blood transfusions, drugs, blood clots, bypass implants, and more - all things she endured as a result of a so called "routine hysterectomy."