Gráinne’s Story:
Gráinne from Monaghan was a busy working Mum when she pulled a stomach muscle lifting her youngest child back in August 2022. She thought it was innocuous enough, but the real shock came with the cancer diagnosis that followed.
“I got a real dart the day I pulled that muscle in my stomach. I was just lifting my youngest onto a chair when it happened. For the first 24 hours I really struggled with it, and although it calmed down, it still lingered for a couple of weeks.
“Shortly after that I was with my GP from my routine smear test, and being a bit of a self-confessed hypochondriac, I mentioned the pulled muscle. She checked it over and referred me for an ultrasound scan at Drogheda as a precaution.
“That scan showed up a large ovarian cyst, which meant a follow up CT scan and MRI were required. And, I was referred by my local hospital to the Gynaecology team in the Mater. I had my first clinic appointment on the 4th October. The team advised there were two options to deal with the cyst – to go in on one side and remove one ovary and fallopian tube or to do a total hysterectomy. Given that I was 44 and wasn’t planning on having more kids, I felt the hysterectomy option was better for me.
“The op took place just a month later on the 4th November. I was so nervous going in, in fact I was a wreck… but I had a wonderful nurse who literally held my hand and got me through it. The surgery took approximately an hour and a half to complete and five days later I was home. I stuck rigidly to the recovery plan I was given and, with the support of my family, was back to myself quite quickly.
“All was good, I was back at the Mater three weeks later for a check-up… and that’s when I heard the word cancer for the very first time. It was such a shock. Histology results from the cyst had shown an aggressive form of cancer. I was so lucky that it was confined to the ovary and they had been able to remove it all – it had been found at the earliest stage possible, stage 1A.
“Because of the cancer’s aggressive nature, the team recommended four sessions of chemotherapy. It would be like an additional insurance policy to protect me. I was determined to make sure it was gone, so was happy to go ahead.
“But, I did find the chemo hard, especially the first session. I think I underestimated what it can take out of you. I had aches and pains, developed oral thrush and found my reaction to the steroids that were required really tough. For me, I found it best to try find something else to focus on – to keep my mind busy and keep the down periods at bay. The chemo meant I also lost my hair, and I’ll admit I cried and cried… but it’s coming back now.
“This whole experience has made me so aware of how important it is to always listen to your body and to always make time for those screening appointments. I tell all my friends that I had no real indication of what was there, but if they experience anything unusual at all – they must go to their GP. Early detection really does make such a difference. It’s the reason, at my most recent check-up, that the team at the Mater were able to say to me ‘Go home, live your life, you’ve been incredibly lucky’.
“I was lucky… I’ve been through a battle and come out the other side. I’m so grateful to the wonderful Gynaecology team at the Mater that looked after me and were always so honest and straightforward with me. I’m so grateful that I had a dedicated GP who ensured everything was checked out. I’m so grateful for the amazing support of family and friends. And, I’m grateful for this opportunity to share my story in the hope that it might raise awareness, encourage someone to get checked out and save even one life.”
Gráinne Morgan O’Rourke,Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan
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