I am 52 years old. I've dedicated my career to different roles within the luxury supply market, focusing on interiors, boutique fitness, hotels, spas, and the beauty industry. This has led me to work as an executive strategist. My heart has always been drawn to hospitality in service, coaching others to embrace this mindset. While people may forget what they purchased or did, they will always remember how you made them feel. This principle transcends all businesses. Now, my life has taken a turn into uncharted territory after my diagnosis, and I'm beginning to understand how businesses often lack the tools to support individuals facing Cancer or other stressful times.

I live in the quaint village of Tatsfield with my husband and our beloved Boxer dog, Brodi. We have three wonderful sons and two beautiful daughters, and we are incredibly blessed to have a close-knit family.

When I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, I realised just how little awareness there is around this disease. We are all familiar with the importance of early detection of breast cancer, but there are few strong campaigns for Ovarian Cancer. The voices of celebrities have made breast cancer more visible, yet Ovarian Cancer remains the deadliest female Cancer with no effective test. It is a silent killer, affecting millions of women worldwide each year, yet it remains grossly underfunded and overlooked. Deep within, I knew there had to be a reason for this happening to me—I had to use my voice and my love for writing to bring attention to it.

Ovarian Cancer wasn't even on my radar, so I had no idea what the symptoms could be. Unfortunately, I didn't recognise any changes in my body as indicators of the disease. In December 2022, I decided to start CrossFit and focused on living a healthier, fitter lifestyle. I lost almost 15 kg within a year, and alcohol began to make me feel ill, which I attributed to lifestyle changes or age. My portion sizes halved, and I felt bloated, but I chalked it up to being really fit. By the end of February 2024, I noticed a tiny lump in my abdomen, which I dismissed as a cyst. I began experiencing intermittent abdominal pain, but again, I ignored it. The constant feeling of bloating finally pushed me to see my old GP while I was on a business trip in South Africa. He immediately knew something wasn't right. The next morning, I was in my gynaecologist's office, and a pelvic scan confirmed my worst fears.

Ovarian Cancer is shrouded in misunderstanding, leading to several harmful misconceptions that hinder awareness, early detection, and effective treatment:

• Symptom Recognition: Many believe Ovarian Cancer has obvious early symptoms, but the reality is that these signs are often vague and easily mistaken for less severe conditions. Symptoms like bloating, pelvic pain, and digestive issues are common yet nonspecific, leading to late diagnoses.

• Age Misconception: It's often thought that only postmenopausal women are at risk. While the likelihood does increase with age, younger women can also develop Ovarian Cancer.

• Pap Smear Confusion: A common misconception is that a Pap smear, which screens for cervical Cancer, can detect Ovarian Cancer. This isn't true—my Pap smear results were normal. There is no standard screening test for ovarian Cancer.

• Ovarian Cysts: Many assume that Ovarian cysts are a sign of Cancer. In reality, most Ovarian cysts are benign, though some types, especially in postmenopausal women, may require closer monitoring.

• Screening Availability: There's a mistaken belief that effective screening tests for Ovarian Cancer are widespread. Sadly, no such test exists for the general population, leading to diagnoses often being made too late.

Ovarian Cancer is a quiet storm, affecting over 300,000 women globally each year. Yet, its scale remains largely unnoticed until it's too late. Often, by the time symptoms arise, the disease is already advanced. If we unite our voices to create awareness, campaign for early testing, and raise funds for research, we can change lives and rewrite the future for so many women.

The greatest challenge for me has been the realisation that this disease is beyond my control. There is nothing I can physically do to change its course other than trust in the science. I'm naturally a positive person and a fighter by heart, but I've had to accept that there are dark days I can't escape, the pain I can't alleviate for my family, and changes in my body that are beyond my control. Losing my hair was far more brutal than I imagined it would be. This journey has taught me to accept the things I cannot change, to listen to my body, and to surrender to the process. Writing has become my solace—while it's hard to put my feelings into words, it's incredibly cathartic when I do.

In the UK alone, around 7,500 women are diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer annually, making it the sixth most common Cancer among women in the country. The disease affects 1 in 52 women and causes approximately 4,100 deaths each year. Globally, over 300,000 women are diagnosed annually, making it the eighth most common Cancer, with over 200,000 deaths each year.

Survival rates vary dramatically depending on the stage at diagnosis. The overall five-year survival rate is around 35%- 40%. However, at Stage 3 diagnoses, it plummets to below 20%, and at Stage 4 diagnoses, it drops further to just 5%. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for better screening methods and early detection.

From the outset, my husband and I decided to follow the science and place our trust in the doctors. We avoided the rabbit hole of internet searches, instead relying on reputable sources like Cancer Research UK and Macmillan. My treatment plan for Ovarian Cancer, given its specific type and stage, involves neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by interval debulking surgery, and then adjuvant chemotherapy.

In my case, this means five rounds of chemotherapy, which aims to shrink the tumour, making it easier to remove during surgery. I'm scheduled for Interval Debulking Surgery (IDS), where they'll perform a full hysterectomy and remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes. After surgery, I'll undergo two more rounds of chemotherapy to eliminate any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence—a process often referred to as "mopping up."

In addition to following medical advice, we've adopted an integrative approach, switching to organic foods and high-quality supplements, maintaining an alkaline diet, and eliminating sugar.

You are not alone. There's a vast community out there ready to support you. Be open with your friends and family—rally your female warriors around you. No one should face this journey alone, and there is no shame in getting Cancer or in asking for help. If you lack a support system, reach out; I'm here to help.

My motivation stems from a desire to prevent this from happening to our daughters and their daughters. I want to campaign and raise funds for early detection. In this day and age, there should be more funding, research, and attention directed toward this disease. It's 2024 and we still have no reliable testing.

Given the gravity of my diagnosis, I chose to follow the science with unwavering faith. However, I've also woven in holistic therapies that complement my treatment plan beautifully. Acupuncture and reflexology have become part of my routine, offering gentle relief and balance. Additionally, practices like breathwork, meditation, and yoga have provided a sanctuary for my spirit—a place where I can find peace and strength amidst the storm.

I am a vibrant blend of German, Scandinavian, and Jewish heritage.

I am an Aries, with my sun in Aries—double the fire—and my moon in Cancer to soften and nurture.

I'm currently enchanted by classic songs reimagined as slow ballads. Something about their haunting beauty resonates deeply with my soul.

Sunrise, absolutely. There's nothing quite like greeting the dawn with a warm cup of coffee, soaking in the stillness of a world yet to come alive.

This year, I achieved something I once thought impossible—I launched a blog where I've bared more of myself than I ever imagined. It's been a journey of vulnerability and courage, and as I look ahead, I know that 2024 has gifted me with a profound sense of purpose. I've always felt that I was meant to do something powerful, and now, with every word I write and every voice I raise, I believe I'm stepping into that purpose.

https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/

For screening: Search for your closest Ultrasound Clinic

Fundraising: My goal is to raise £1 000 000.00 towards early detection.

https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/all-ovar-it-giving

www.allovarit.com

Instagram - @allovarit