Lynn's Journey with Ovarian Cancer: Finding Strength and Hope at Maggie's

Lynn found out her cancer was not operable but she has had chemotherapy and immunotherapy and may get more immunotherapy treatment this year.

Finding acceptance

I was worried about everything to do with cancer and what that word means when you hear it, but one of the gynaecology nurses at the hospital suggested that I should come to Maggie’s for some psychological support.

I really struggled with my diagnosis to begin with, but finding Maggie’s made a big difference.

It was a big step for me to walk through the doors, but Maggie’s staff have really helped me to relax and to manage my anxiety. 

I didn’t ask the doctors the grade of my cancer when I was diagnosed - I didn’t want to know. 

I knew that I had been told it was too big to be operated on and that worried me, but Hannah the counselling psychologist at Maggie’s has helped me to accept that I am living with cancer but that I can have treatment and I’m taking things one step at a time.

Having support

The professional staff at Maggie’s ask the right questions in order to give you the right help. It’s a very caring environment and everyone there is so helpful. 

I always leave Maggie’s more hopeful and feeling better.

I’ve also found it really helpful to come to the women’s group at Maggie’s I’ve met people of different ages with all different kinds of cancer and it’s good to have that peer support and hear how other people deal with their situations and cope with symptoms and treatment.

I also have two lovely grandsons, Lucas and Lewis, and we have another grandchild on the way in August. I wasn’t sure that I’d be here for that baby but now I know, I will.

Ask more questions

I was never one to go to my GP very often but I really believe that women should not be frightened to ask questions and keep going back to their GP if they have more. 

Women should persevere if they feel they have symptoms that are not quite right, and they should not just accept that everything is to do with the menopause beyond a certain age.

The seven-week Where Now? course at Maggie’s really helped me to try to put things into perspective. Between that and my biggest support, my husband Derek, I have been able to get on with my life. 

I hadn’t long retired when I was diagnosed so I was fortunate in that I didn’t have the worry about going to work to make money, which I know that other people who have cancer do worry about –  but I know that Maggie’s benefits advisers can also help with this. 

It’s a very caring environment and everyone there is so helpful. I always leave Maggie’s more hopeful and feeling better.

We’re here with you

Our cancer support specialists, psychologists and benefits advisors are here for everyone with cancer, and all the people who love them. 

Come and see us at your nearest Maggie’s, call us on 0300 123 180 or email us at enquiries@maggies.org