Irish Woman’s Cancer Journey: From Muscle Pain to Diagnosis

Grainne Morgan-O’Rourke, a resident of Carrickmacross in Monaghan, Ireland, faced a life-altering diagnosis after what she initially believed was a simple muscle strain turned out to be cancer. In August 2022, during a routine visit to her general practitioner for a smear test, she casually mentioned abdominal pain that had persisted for two weeks. Grainne described the moment, stating, “In July, I pulled what I thought was a muscle in my stomach because I twisted really, really fast.”

Her doctor responded by scheduling an ultrasound at the local hospital, leading to a referral for further examination. Grainne recalled her mindset at the time, thinking, “Ah sure, it’s just an ultrasound.” However, the results revealed a substantial ovarian cyst, prompting a series of scans and consultations with specialists.

The situation escalated when a consultant presented her with two surgical options: removal of one ovary and one fallopian tube or a complete hysterectomy. Grainne, a mother of two, decided on the more extensive procedure to avoid future surgeries. “I thought, ‘just take it’ because I didn’t want to go in for more surgery,” she explained.

She underwent the hysterectomy in November 2022. It was only three weeks post-operation when she received the shocking news that the cyst contained cancer cells. Grainne was diagnosed with stage 1A clear cell ovarian cancer, a rare and aggressive form of the disease. She expressed her disbelief, saying, “I was worried about the cyst but I never thought it was cancer.”

Despite the gravity of her diagnosis, her consultant reassured her, stating, “Look, you dodged a bullet, it’s all gone, surgery got rid of it, go live your life.” Following the surgery, doctors recommended precautionary chemotherapy as a safety measure.

Facing Treatment and Recovery

Grainne began her chemotherapy treatment on January 9, 2023, completing four rounds by March 20, 2023. She described the treatment process, noting, “The first day I was about six or seven hours, and then it was every three weeks for around five hours.” While the treatment was challenging, she was fortunate to experience fewer side effects with each session.

“The muscle pain was my big side effect from chemotherapy and I had cold hands and feet,” she noted, adding that she fortunately did not experience nausea. However, losing her hair was an emotional struggle. “To see it all fall out was horrible, so I got it shaved off the day after my last chemotherapy,” she shared. Despite this, she embraced her new appearance, eventually opting to go on holiday without her wig in May 2023.

During her treatment, Grainne took a leave of absence from work, later returning on reduced hours. “I just thought, ‘well look, it’s done’, and I was just so glad to get back to work,” she said.

The surgical menopause she entered post-hysterectomy presented additional challenges. Grainne could not take hormone replacement therapy due to the nature of her cancer. She experienced joint pain and insomnia but reported that her symptoms improved over time.

Raising Awareness and Encouraging Others

Grainne’s children, aged six and ten at the time of her diagnosis, were not informed about their mother’s cancer. She explained her reasoning, stating, “I thought, ‘what’s the point in telling them and worrying them’.” Now, she has been discharged from hospital care but remains on the books for monitoring.

Reflecting on her journey, Grainne emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset. “I felt sorry for myself for the first couple of days after chemo but then a week later when you were getting more energy… you’d be thinking, ‘ah well, this is not that bad’,” she noted.

In recognition of World GO Day (Gynaecologic Oncology Awareness Day), a global initiative aimed at increasing awareness of gynecologic cancers, Grainne shared her story to encourage others to seek medical advice for any unusual symptoms. She advised, “Any little change you notice or anything that’s not normal for you, go and get it checked. Stay away from Google because Google is so outdated it’s unbelievable.”

Grainne’s experience serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of early detection and the impact of a positive attitude in the face of adversity. Her story highlights not only her resilience but also the critical need for awareness regarding women’s health issues.