How Early Detection, Determination, and Family Support Helped Her Achieve NED

Kim’s journey began in 2015 when she and her husband decided to escape stressful routines with a holiday in Mauritius. Soon after arriving, she experienced unexpected bloating that worsened rapidly, causing abdominal swelling and severe discomfort. A hotel doctor’s evaluation led to urgent tests and a laparoscopy, revealing a devastating diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Far from home and fearing the worst, Kim navigated insurance complications before finally returning to the UK.

Further investigations confirmed advanced stage IV high-grade serous ovarian cancer, with spread to her peritoneum and enlarged lymph nodes. Initially deemed inoperable, she began chemotherapy to shrink the tumors. Remarkably, she tolerated the treatments well, experiencing mostly fatigue and aches in her legs and feet. Determined to maintain some normalcy, Kim endured the cold cap to preserve as much hair as possible. After three chemo cycles, scans showed enough tumor reduction for an extensive surgery at St Thomas’s, including a radical hysterectomy and removal of diseased tissue from her diaphragm.

Recovering from an eight-hour operation proved challenging, complicated by an infection, hospital-acquired pneumonia, and difficulty breathing. Slowly, Kim regained strength with the unwavering support of her husband, who gently encouraged her to walk a bit farther each day. Two additional cycles of chemotherapy followed. She then began Avastin treatments every three weeks, which the NHS funded for a year, helping to maintain her NED (no evidence of disease) status.

Throughout this ordeal, Kim learned that cancer is not only physical but also mental, requiring emotional resilience and counseling. Reflecting on subtle symptoms she once dismissed—such as increased urinary frequency and abdominal changes—she now urges others to trust their instincts and discuss any concerns with a healthcare provider.

Kim remains profoundly grateful for her medical team and the love from her family and friends, celebrating milestones like her daughter’s university graduation and her own wedding anniversaries. Two and a half years cancer-free, she hopes her experience reminds others that early awareness, solid support, and determined optimism can transform a diagnosis into a triumph.