Read on Twitter
I’ve been silent on Twitter for a long time. What I thought was stress-induced abdominal pain turned out to be metastatic ovarian cancer. I was diagnosed in June after major abdominal surgery. It’s time to share my story n/1
I’d been having vague abdominal pain since January. My GP treated me with all sorts of antibiotics, some of which brought minor relief. Early ultrasounds were not alarming. When the lockdown hit in March my pains intensified. n/2
At this point I couldn’t even see my doctor. I had another ultrasound in April which was pretty irregular. Early diagnosis was endometriosis. Then an uncle suggested I have my blood tested for cancer antigens to rule out ‘anything bad.’ He probably saved my life n/3
My cancer antigen 125 was elevated. I got referred to a specialist immediately and had more tests. Surgery was scheduled for 2 weeks later. It lasted 4 hours and I spent 6 days recovering in hospital. No visitors allowed. n/4
Chemo started 4 weeks later and ended on Oct 28. It was intense and debilitating. If it wasn’t for an outpouring of support from friends, colleagues and family, I don’t think I would have made it. I was truly blessed with loads of support. n/5
My sister and mother-in-law both withstood two weeks of quarantine in order to be with us. When I moved to Canada I never imagined a closed border between me and family. I haven’t seen my mother. I am so thankful to my network of friends in Montreal for their support. n/6
Although I am mostly fine now, I am still struggling to come to terms with my new reality. Ovarian cancer affects 3000 Canadian women each year. How did I draw such horrible odds? I’m not who I was in March. For starters, I’ve been bald since July. n/7
I might tweet about how having ovarian cancer has affected my life. I might ask you for support or love or strength. I might ask that you pray for me or send me positive energy. I need to find a way forward. n/8
This is me, sending a smile into the world. FIN
I’m blown away (and crying buckets) by your love and kind messages. Thank you 
