On a trip of a life time to New Zealand and Australia with my husband and a group of friends, I struggled the whole time going upstairs or walking any type of incline. It just left me short winded and almost dizzy feeling. I was healthy and exercised regularly so it was confusing and also frustrating to make adaptations to our holiday plans.

When I returned home I went to the Emergency Department thinking I might need a puffer. On triage, my lungs sounded fine and my oxygen level was good. When I was seen by the ED physician, we talked about Australia and the possible benefit of a puffer. Thankfully she ordered an xray to 'be on the safe side'. The X-ray revealed 3 lts of fluid under my right lung! She saw 'red flags' because of an elevated lab result, and ordered additional bloodwork, consults an ultrasound and a CTscan. I will be forever grateful to her!!! Several weeks later, I had thoracic surgery in Halifax to insert a pleural catheter to manage the fluid under my lung and have a biopsy.

In early May, the results of the biopsy came back, metastatic serous carcinoma with gynecologic origin and on May 12th my husband Tracey and I met with a gyneoncologist in Halifax who confirmed the diagnosis of Stage 4 Ovarian cancer. Heartbreaking but it was time to get on with the recommended treatment plan!

The gyneoncologist offered genetic testing and I found out that I carry the BRCA2 gene. The test results were used to help with my treatment plan and advise on proactive preventive screening for other higher risk cancers, such as breast cancer. Screening is NOT available for ovarian cancer so if you carry the BRCA 2 gene, the recommended approach is to have a hysterectomy prior to menopause. Unfortunately for me that information was too late. Looking back, that surgical intervention could have prevented the past 18 months of suffering and the future unknowns of living with a stage 4 ovarian cancer diagnosis.

I try to focus on staying positive and the many reasons why I feel grateful. I’ve responded well to treatment and for the most part, and day-to-day I feel good. I've had many bumps in the road but I'm fortunate to have a strong support system including my husband who has been with me every step of the way!

I am walking to raise awareness so my daughter, granddaughters and other women have their best chance of avoiding this awful disease.