My mum, Susan McDonald, was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer in April 2005. Her diagnosis was an incredible shock to the family as mum had been visiting her GP for 2 years prior to being diagnosed complaining of feeling unusual, tired, and swollen and often having strong back and abdomen pain. Her GP continuously assured mum that she was most likely going through menopause. After two years of seeing her GP mum was advised to have a hysterectomy and an ultra sound, which revealed two large tumours, later to be weighed in at approximately 7kgs.  Both tumours were malignant and subsequently removed and so mum started her 5 long years of chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

Mum has now fought for her life and her family for 5 long years. The chemotherapy has been horrific for mum with the hair loss (four times now), lack of taste and smell, nausea, body aches, lack of appetite, mouth ulcers and loss of feelings in her fingers and toes.  My family knows our days with our beautiful mum are numbered. My mum is the bravest woman l know and l am so proud to be her daughter. Her fight for life has been truly inspirational.