Interview OV48

Age at interview: 42

Age at diagnosis: 41

Brief Outline:

Ovarian cancer diagnosed in 2000. Treated by surgical removal of ovaries and womb and chemotherapy.

Background:

Married; no children.

Had been trying to conceive and was devastated at losing her reproductive organs ovaries.

With regards to the effects of having a hysterectomy whilst still being of child-bearing age, I have to say that this is the single most difficult part to come to terms with; even if you have been trying to conceive for a long time, there is always the hope that one day it will happen. Also, you still have the option of pursuing fertility treatments. However, once you are diagnosed with ovarian cancer there is no chance of being able to conceive and you have absolutely no choice in the matter.

Initially after the diagnosis, the fact that you won't be able to have children seems less important because you are focused on having treatment that will keep you alive. It is when you have finished the treatment and life returns to being more normal that the impact of remaining childless hits home and I feel quite cheated. I think it is something that you just have to come to terms with but there is no quick-fix solution.

Had been concerned about her body image and about having sex, but her husband had been very supportive.

But no I think initially you're sort of scared of having intercourse because you're scared of something, you know, breaking or going wrong or probably not being exactly the same because you haven't got all your bits there, sort of thing. But I don't, you know, not really had any problems. And I mean my husband is very good about sort of, he doesn't, as long as I'm there he doesn't care what I look like or, you know, sort of having gone through this as long as I'm still here then, you know, he's not bothered. And he's making, you know, he's good at making you feel sort of feminine, you know, the same as I was really. So no, no problems.

Good.

I think the problem is probably more in my head than anything else, you know, but I think as time goes on it gets easier. 

Her husband was not concerned about her changed appearance and still made her feel feminine.

And I mean my husband is very good about sort of, he doesn't, as long as I'm there he doesn't care what I look like or, you know, sort of having gone through this as long as I'm still here then, you know, he's not bothered. And he's making, you know, he's good at making you feel sort of feminine, you know, the same as I was really. So no, no problems.