"I didn’t have any symptoms, just some stomach bloating. But after a holiday spent eating nice food, I didn’t think too much of it."
For Andrea, 51, life before her diagnosis was active, consisting of regular pilates, running, family time with her husband and two teens, and a full-time job in the television industry. She was strong and healthy and had no reason to suspect anything serious.
As time went on, her discomfort increased, and Andrea decided to see her GP. The earliest available appointment was two weeks away, so she was advised to visit A&E, where she was sent home with a stool sample kit.
“I felt a lot of uncomfortable pressure on my organs from the bloating and was struggling to breath. I didn’t think I could wait weeks for answers.�
Instead Andrea sought out a private gynaecologist to run some tests. The next day, she got a life-changing call.
"The doctor said, ‘I've seen your scans and your bloods, and you need to go to A&E immediately.�"
Andrea returned to A&E and spent three weeks in and out of NHS care, feeling unwell and with no confirmed prognosis. Desperate for guidance, she reached out to a trusted gynaecologist, who recommended Mr Phadnis at AOAÌåÓýƽ̨.
Finding Clarity at AOAÌåÓýƽ̨
When Andrea met Mr. Phadnis, her first question was one that had weighed heavily on her mind: “Am I going to die?�
“He said, ‘Well, everyone dies at some point, but you're not dying from this now and I feel confident you will be back playing tennis, running and doing all the things you love�.’�
Andrea’s diagnosis of stage 4B cancer meant that the cancer cells had spread to distant organs such as lymph nodes in her chest cavity. Historically stage 4B was considered incurable and treatment was palliative, however with improved understanding of tumour biology and advances in treatment, more women with stage 4 ovarian cancer are living longer.
When she learned she had stage four ovarian cancer, Andrea needed to understand what that meant for her future.
"Mr Phadnis just said, ‘It means I've got to work harder in the operating theatre, but I can get you to cancer-free.�
Before that, no one had mentioned cancer-free to Andrea.
“They were using words like treatable, not curable. But Mr Phadnis was really optimistic."
Mr. Phadnis scheduled a biopsy and installed a drain to relieve her discomfort caused by fluid build-up, with chemotherapy set to begin the following week.
“If I'd seen him sooner, my first three weeks would have been very different. I came home feeling like a different person. I felt like I had a future."
Mr Phadnis was focusing on ensuring Andrea’s care plan to her, discussing her case with other members of his multi-disciplinary team, including oncologist Dr Miller.
“Dr Miller- she’s incredible. She works on a lot of drug trials, so she’s at the forefront of new treatments. She was so inclusive and supportive, even inviting my children into meetings so they could understand my care better.�
Andrea had three chemotherapy rounds before her operation, and recently completed her final post-surgery chemotherapy.
"Mr Phadnis advocated for my future quality of life. I had asked him if he could operate immediately and remove all the cancer. He said, ‘That would mean a stoma. And I'm not just thinking about now, I'm thinking about what your future quality of life.�"
Andrea trusted his judgment, and the surgery was a success, with no stoma required.
"Mr. Phadnis is an amazing surgeon. I was up and climbing stairs within three days! I was back cycling a month after the operation. I'm not one to give up."
Surrounded by Care
"All the staff were so friendly. When I was first admitted, I was in a wheelchair, and the porter who brought me down came to visit me again, when he heard I was back in."
When chemotherapy took a toll on her health, Andrea was readmitted. Her nursing team provided round-the-clock support, giving her a direct line to call them at any time.
At AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ she also found comfort in complementary therapies like reflexology, where she connected with therapist Fiona, who was herself a survivor of ovarian cancer.
Beyond her medical care, AOAÌåÓýƽ̨ provided warmth and a sense of normalcy, even in the toughest moments.
"After surgery, my children visited and we watched a movie in my room while ordering takeaways. The staff even brought them ice-cream!�
Looking To The Future
Thanks to the expertise and dedication of her team at AOAÌåÓýƽ̨, Andrea is looking forwards with optimism, resilience, and gratitude.
Her cancer markers have dropped significantly, from 33,000 at admission to 109 before her final chemotherapy session.
"Recently I finished chemo, and at this point, the only cancer remaining has been described to me as being like grains of sand."
Andrea’s cancer is caused by the BRCA mutation, which means it responds well to targeted therapies. She is due to start a two-year course of PARP inhibitors to prevent recurrence.
She has a powerful message to others facing a similar journey: "Don't give up. You really need to fight. I don't think cancer is something to be so frightened of now days because there are so many different treatments. It’s incredible for I, who had stage 4b, to have hope- but I do.�
