‘Living with Ovarian Cancer’ is a Podcast full of inspiring stories told by people or their loved ones, who themselves have lived with, or are still living with Ovarian Cancer.

Each person’s story is a gift; unique and is told from the heart in their own words. I am your host, Diane Evans-Wood.

In this episode, I am talking to Julie Drake. Julie explains the chain of events that led her to seek medical attention prior to diagnosis in 2020. Her experience was frustratingly slow to begin with and Julie found herself having to push to be investigated and diagnosed because she knew something was very wrong. Her diagnosis of stage 4 high Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer came during the Covid-19 pandemic, and it was a huge shock to Julie. She tells me about the 7-hour surgery that she endured, how she recovered and the bombshell that her boyfriend at the time dropped on her. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed; Julie looked at herself in the mirror at the long scar down her abdomen and at her bald head and wondered how anyone would ever love her again. After recovering, Julie soon returned to the activities that she loved and very soon found love again. During her sailing holiday in Spain with her new love, Julie was told her cancer had recurred. All this happened within a year and in Julie’s words “cancer is a roller-coaster”. Julie continues to embrace life and I love her quote “Don’t let life happen; make life happen”. I thoroughly enjoyed chatting to Julie today and I am sure you will find her story very inspiring.

Julie talked about Macmillan Cancer Support and the life coaching she had with them. Here is a link to their website https://www.macmillan.org.uk

Thank you so much for listening to ‘Living with Ovarian Cancer’. If you want to get in touch with me or you would like to tell your own story on this Podcast about living with Ovarian Cancer, please email [email protected]

You can find more information about me on my website by following this link: https://dianeevanswood.wordpress.com

My sincere gratitude to Gary and Ruthie Colcombe who continue to carry out all the editing and uploading of each episode of this Podcast. I couldn’t have managed without them! You can find their Podcasts here http://celticmythpodshow.comand  https://inbedwithadruid.com

Intro and outro music is called ‘Waltz for the little mermaid’ by Meidi Goh. To read more about Meidi please follow this link http://meidigoh.com

Before you go, please don’t forget to click ‘subscribe’ to this Podcast so that you don’t miss future episodes and also if you could leave a rating, I’d be very grateful.

Disclaimer: Each story in this Podcast is unique to the woman who is telling it. The content of each episode and the views expressed are not meant to be a substitute for medical advice or intervention. You will hear stories of women who sought alternative therapies, integrated oncology services or even choosing to decline treatment options. However, this is their story, and I am not advocating that you follow the path of any one woman who features in the podcast. If you have a diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer, please make sure that you discuss anything that is going to affect your treatment or wellbeing with your own Medical team. You are unique and so what’s right for one woman may not be right for you!

Living with Ovarian Cancer’ is a Podcast full of inspiring stories told by Women or their loved ones, who themselves have lived with, or are still living with Ovarian Cancer.

Each Woman’s story is a gift; unique and is told from the heart in their own words. I am your host, Diane Evans-Wood.

In this episode, I am talking to Tamara Campbell, who describes how she endured the death of her Mum in Australia at the same time as Lockdown restrictions started in the UK. Tamara was also going through her own health issues at the same time, and she tells me about the symptoms that prompted her to seek medical advice that led to a diagnosis of Clear Cell Ovarian Cancer. This episode is incredibly heartfelt as you can imagine, because what we talk about is still very raw as it only happened last year during an already difficult time due to the Pandemic.

Content warning: we talk about bereavement and loss when Tamara’s Mum died. We also talk about making a will and end of life wishes.

Thank you so much for listening to ‘Living with Ovarian Cancer’. If you want to get in touch with me or you would like to tell your own story on this Podcast about living with Ovarian Cancer, please email [email protected]

You can find more information about me on my website by following this link: https://dianeevanswood.wordpress.com

My sincere gratitude to Gary and Ruthie Colcombe who continue to carry out all the editing and uploading of each episode of this Podcast. I couldn’t have managed without them! You can find their Podcasts here http://celticmythpodshow.comand  https://inbedwithadruid.com

Intro and outro music is called ‘Waltz for the little mermaid’ by Meidi Goh. To read more about Meidi please follow this link http://meidigoh.com

Before you go, please don’t forget to click ‘subscribe’ to this Podcast so that you don’t miss future episodes and also if you could leave a rating, I’d be very grateful.

Disclaimer: Each story in this Podcast is unique to the woman who is telling it. The content of each episode and the views expressed are not meant to be a substitute for medical advice or intervention. You will hear stories of women who sought alternative therapies, integrated oncology services or even choosing to decline treatment options. However, this is their story, and I am not advocating that you follow the path of any one woman who features in the podcast. If you have a diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer, please make sure that you discuss anything that is going to affect your treatment or wellbeing with your own Medical team. You are unique and so what’s right for one woman may not be right for you!

Living with Ovarian Cancer’ is a Podcast full of inspiring stories told by Women or their loved ones, who themselves have lived with, or are still living with Ovarian Cancer.

Each Woman’s story is a gift; unique and is told from the heart in their own words. I am your host, Diane Evans-Wood.

In this episode, I am talking to Gemma Lodge who shares her story about her long and winding road of being diagnosed with Ovarian cancer. Her story begins with what was thought to be an isolated Pulmonary Embolism, but she soon developed other symptoms that were attributed to stressful life events at the time.  A holiday to Texas saw Gemma taken to hospital as an emergency where she was subsequently diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. On her immediate return to the UK, she had urgent surgery followed by chemotherapy and Avastin, but this was not effective as a scan showed disease progression. She started a different treatment regime which fortunately is showing a reduction of disease. Gemma tells me how she was at the height of her Law career at the time and had to take sick leave. As a professional with an individual client case load it was essential to be reliable and consistent, but Gemma describes why she wasn’t able to continue to work during chemotherapy. We touch on the difficulties surrounding whether to tell an estranged family member about her diagnosis and then the guilt associated with the decision not to.

Content warning: we talk about how surgery sadly took away Gemma’s ability to have children of her own and how that impacted on her emotionally. Our conversation also broaches hospice and palliative care which is really helping Gemma’s quality of life. Gemma’s partner has recently proposed to her and so she is now able to focus on planning their wedding. We all wish them both every happiness in their married life together.

Thank you so much for listening to ‘Living with Ovarian Cancer’. If you want to get in touch with me or you would like to tell your own story on this Podcast about living with Ovarian Cancer, please email [email protected]

You can find more information about me on my website by following this link: https://dianeevanswood.wordpress.com

My sincere gratitude to Gary and Ruthie Colcombe who continue to carry out all the editing and uploading of each episode of this Podcast. I couldn’t have managed without them! You can find their Podcasts here http://celticmythpodshow.comand  https://inbedwithadruid.com

Intro and outro music is called ‘Waltz for the little mermaid’ by Meidi Goh. To read more about Meidi please follow this link http://meidigoh.com

Before you go, please don’t forget to click ‘subscribe’ to this Podcast so that you don’t miss future episodes and also if you could leave a rating, I’d be very grateful.

Disclaimer: Each story in this Podcast is unique to the woman who is telling it. The content of each episode and the views expressed are not meant to be a substitute for medical advice or intervention. You will hear stories of women who sought alternative therapies, integrated oncology services or even choosing to decline treatment options. However, this is their story, and I am not advocating that you follow the path of any one woman who features in the podcast. If you have a diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer, please make sure that you discuss anything that is going to affect your treatment or wellbeing with your own Medical team. You are unique and so what’s right for one woman may not be right for you!

Living with Ovarian Cancer is a Podcast full of inspiring stories told by Women or their loved ones, who themselves have lived with, or are still living with Ovarian Cancer.

Each Woman’s story is a gift; unique and is told from the heart in their own words. I am your host, Diane Evans-Wood.

This episode is dedicated to Shirley whose Birthday is on 21st March. She was much loved and is still remembered with so much love today and always!

I am honoured to be talking to Gill Kelly who tells me all about her Mum, Shirley, who died with Ovarian Cancer. Gill also shares her own story of when she was diagnosed with Mucinous Ovarian Cancer at the same time that her Mum was nearing the end of her life. It was a very tough time for Gill going through her own diagnosis during a period of grief. Gill talks about her symptoms and the management of her Ovarian Cancer. The treatment of Mucinous Ovarian Cancer differs to other types of this disease which you will hear in this episode.

Content warning: we talk about what Gill’s Mum’s wishes were before she died, her death and what it was like for Gill as she was grieving.

Thank you so much for listening to ‘Living with Ovarian Cancer’. If you want to get in touch with me or you would like to tell your own story on this Podcast about living with Ovarian Cancer, please email [email protected]

You can find more information about me on my website by following this link: https://dianeevanswood.wordpress.com

My sincere gratitude to Gary and Ruthie Colcombe who continue to carry out all the editing and uploading of each episode of this Podcast. I couldn’t have managed without them! You can find their Podcasts here http://celticmythpodshow.comand  https://inbedwithadruid.com

Intro and outro music is called ‘Waltz for the little mermaid’ by Meidi Goh. To read more about Meidi please follow this link http://meidigoh.com

Before you go, please don’t forget to click ‘subscribe’ to this Podcast so that you don’t miss future episodes and also if you could leave a rating, I’d be very grateful.

Disclaimer: Each story in this Podcast is unique to the woman who is telling it. The content of each episode and the views expressed are not meant to be a substitute for medical advice or intervention. You will hear stories of women who sought alternative therapies, integrated oncology services or even choosing to decline treatment options. However, this is their story, and I am not advocating that you follow the path of any one woman who features in the podcast. If you have a diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer, please make sure that you discuss anything that is going to affect your treatment or wellbeing with your own Medical team. You are unique and so what’s right for one woman may not be right for you!

Living with Ovarian Cancer’ is a Podcast full of inspiring stories told by Women or their loved ones, who themselves have lived with, or are still living with Ovarian Cancer.

Each Woman’s story is a gift; unique and is told from the heart in their own words. I am your host, Diane Evans-Wood.

In this episode I am honoured to be talking to Audrey Oldham who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer initially after a routine mammogram. She later developed Ovarian Cancer that was completely unconnected to the Breast Cancer. Audrey describes what made her see her GP after having bowel issues for a while that she thought was IBS. Audrey has been through such a lot since her Husband died at the age of 44, but she tells me how she stays positive and how she adapts to change. Audrey keeps a Blog on FaceBook, which I have added a link to for anyone wanting to keep up with her news. Audrey describes a therapy that she has been having called Hyperbaric Oxygen which helps her to stay well. It was lovely to chat to Audrey; she was so full of positivity and has adapted to many changes by embracing life.

Here is a link to Audreys Blog: https://www.facebook.com/Audreys-blog-living-with-incurable-cancer-107176714247631

Thank you so much for listening to ‘Living with Ovarian Cancer’. If you want to get in touch with me or you would like to tell your own story on this Podcast about living with Ovarian Cancer, please email [email protected]

You can find more information about me on my website by following this link: https://dianeevanswood.wordpress.com

My sincere gratitude to Gary and Ruthie Colcombe who continue to carry out all the editing and uploading of each episode of this Podcast. I couldn’t have managed without them! You can find their Podcasts here http://celticmythpodshow.com and  https://inbedwithadruid.com

Intro and outro music is called ‘Waltz for the little mermaid’ by Meidi Goh. To read more about Meidi please follow this link http://meidigoh.com

Before you go, please don’t forget to click ‘subscribe’ to this Podcast so that you don’t miss future episodes and also if you could leave a rating, I’d be very grateful.

Disclaimer: Each story in this Podcast is unique to the woman who is telling it. The content of each episode and the views expressed are not meant to be a substitute for medical advice or intervention. You will hear stories of women who sought alternative therapies, integrated oncology services or even choosing to decline treatment options. However, this is their story, and I am not advocating that you follow the path of any one woman who features in the podcast. If you have a diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer, please make sure that you discuss anything that is going to affect your treatment or wellbeing with your own Medical team. You are unique and so what’s right for one woman may not be right for you!

Living with Ovarian Cancer’ is a Podcast full of inspiring stories told by Women or their loved ones, who themselves have lived with, or are still living with Ovarian Cancer.

Each Woman’s story is a gift; unique and is told from the heart in their own words. I am your host, Diane Evans-Wood.

In this episode I am honoured to welcome back Libby Holden with her Husband John. If you listened to episode 1 you will have heard that Libby mentioned a charity song that she and her Husband planned to launch in March, which is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in the UK. That song has now become an amazing Album and they hope to raise funds for Professor Charlie Gourley’s research into Low grade Ovarian Cancer. In this episode Libby and John tell me all about the songs, the musicians involved and who they are raising money for.

Since recording this episode, Libby wrote to tell me that the EP has grown somewhat. It is now a 9 track, 46 minute Album. Musician artistes have generously donated tracks of their own to help raise money for this charitable cause.

The EP is available from: https://johnholden.bandcamp.com

If you download the EP on the first Friday of the month Bandcamp do not take any fees so 100% of the funds go to the charitable cause.

The video can be seen here: https://youtu.be/29oymlgjb_4

The song, Circles, has music by John Holden and lyrics by Elizabeth Holden. Vocalist: Sally Minnear, Keyboards: Vikram Shankar, Guitars: John Holden,

The song, Northern Lights, features: Vocalists: Mark Atkinson, Anneke Van Giersbergen, Peter Jones, Sally Minnear and That Joe Payne. Guitar: Michel St Pere, Bass: Jon Camp, Keyboards: Vikram Shankar and Oliver Wakeman and Drums: Gavin Harrison

The video features twelve women with low grade ovarian cancer, some who are sadly no longer with us, from the UK, Australia, Canada, India and the USA.

Cure Our Ovarian Cancer Charitable Trust can be found here: https://cureourovariancancer.org. If you click on the news tab, you will see an article about Libby and John’s charity EP.  Gratitude to Jane Ludeman for founding this charity which is the only one dedicated to Low Grade Ovarian Cancer.

More about the work of Professor Charlie Gourley in Edinburgh can be found here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/profile/charlie-gourley

Professor Gourley is currently working on this project which is supported by Target Ovarian Cancer https://targetovariancancer.org.uk/news/searching-new-treatments-low-grade-serous-ovarian-cancer

Living with Ovarian Cancer’ is a Podcast full of inspiring stories told by Women or their loved ones, who themselves have lived with, or are still living with Ovarian Cancer.

Each Woman’s story is a gift; unique and is told from the heart in their own words. I am your host, Diane Evans-Wood.

In this episode I am honoured to be talking to Sandra Koniotes who was diagnosed with High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer and is now living disease free. Sandra talks about the symptoms that led her to be diagnosed initially and how her diagnosis affected her. She went on to tell me about the two major surgeries that she had to endure, one of which was midway through her course of chemotherapy. Sandra exudes positivity and told me how she keeps going and how she maintains hope. In this Podcast, Sandra read a poem to me that she wrote which I found very moving and reminded me of how I felt when diagnosed.

Sandra is so passionate about telling her story, not only in the hope of raising awareness of Ovarian Cancer but also as a source of hope and support for others going through this journey.

Thank you so much for listening to ‘Living with Ovarian Cancer’. If you want to get in touch with me or you would like to tell your own story on this Podcast about living with Ovarian Cancer, please email [email protected]

You can find more information about me on my website by following this link: https://dianeevanswood.wordpress.com

My sincere gratitude to Gary and Ruthie Colcombe who continue to carry out all the editing and uploading of each episode of this Podcast. I couldn’t have managed without them! You can find their Podcasts here http://celticmythpodshow.comand  https://inbedwithadruid.com

Intro and outro music is called ‘Waltz for the little mermaid’ by Meidi Goh. To read more about Meidi please follow this link http://meidigoh.com

Before you go, please don’t forget to click ‘subscribe’ to this Podcast so that you don’t miss future episodes and also if you could leave a rating, I’d be very grateful.

Disclaimer: Each story in this Podcast is unique to the woman who is telling it. The content of each episode and the views expressed are not meant to be a substitute for medical advice or intervention. You will hear stories of women who sought alternative therapies, integrated oncology services or even choosing to decline treatment options. However, this is their story, and I am not advocating that you follow the path of any one woman who features in the podcast. If you have a diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer, please make sure that you discuss anything that is going to affect your treatment or wellbeing with your own Medical team. You are unique and so what’s right for one woman may not be right for you!

Living with Ovarian Cancer’ is a Podcast full of inspiring stories told by Women or their loved ones, who themselves have lived with, or are still living with Ovarian Cancer.

Each Woman’s story is a gift; unique and is told from the heart in their own words. I am your host, Diane Evans-Wood.

In this episode I am talking to Adele William-Sewell who shares her experiences of being diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 1999 and then subsequently eight years later with Stage 3 High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer. It wasn’t just a matter of bad luck in being diagnosed with both of these cancers as Adele explains. She was told she has a BRCA mutation which posed a challenge not only for her but for her family. Adele is an incredibly inspiring woman and won a ‘Woman and Home Amazing Women Award’ in 2020 for “turning her ongoing personal battle with Ovarian Cancer into a successful charity and annual event”. When I spoke to Adele she was “stranded” in Jamaica due to the ongoing Covid restrictions cancelling flights back to the UK. What a place to get “stranded”?

In this episode, Adele talks through her experiences of being diagnosed with Breast Cancer and then Ovarian Cancer, her symptoms that led to seeking medical help, what it meant for her and her family to be BRCA positive, her take on what treatments are right for her personally and what helped her to live through these experiences.

Adele recommended a Book written by her late friend Della Lamden called “The Reason”. Unfortunately, Della’s website is no longer available. To purchase a copy of the book that Adele mentioned please contact Della’s daughter Bobbi Lamden via this email [email protected].

Adele mentioned the wonderful Penny Brohn Centre which can be found by following this link: https://www.pennybrohn.org.uk.

Thank you so much for listening to ‘Living with Ovarian Cancer’. If you want to get in touch with me or you would like to tell your own story on this Podcast about living with Ovarian Cancer, please email [email protected]

You can find more information about me on my website by following this link: https://dianeevanswood.wordpress.com

My sincere gratitude to Gary and Ruthie Colcombe who continue to carry out all the editing and uploading of each episode of this Podcast. I couldn’t have managed without them! You can find their Podcasts here http://celticmythpodshow.comand  https://inbedwithadruid.com

Intro and outro music is called ‘Waltz for the little mermaid’ by Meidi Goh. To read more about Meidi please follow this link http://meidigoh.com

Before you go, please don’t forget to click ‘subscribe’ to this Podcast so that you don’t miss future episodes and also if you could leave a rating, I’d be very grateful.

Disclaimer: Each story in this Podcast is unique to the woman who is telling it. The content of each episode and the views expressed are not meant to be a substitute for medical advice or intervention. You will hear stories of women who sought alternative therapies, integrated oncology services or even choosing to decline treatment options. However, this is their story, and I am not advocating that you follow the path of any one woman who features in the podcast. If you have a diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer, please make sure that you discuss anything that is going to affect your treatment or wellbeing with your own Medical team. You are unique and so what’s right for one woman may not be right for you!