When Alexandra went to her GP complaining of bloating he quickly sent her for a CA125 blood test. She had no idea his quick thinking would end up saving her life…

I lost my husband three years ago to cancer. When he was sick he looked so ill, so when I got ill and looked so well, I couldn’t believe I was going to die. I try not to think of what could happen, I try to be very positive about it. I’m determined to live with this disease and now I have been given time.

It all started when I began experiencing slight swelling in my tummy. I’m a coeliac so I was used to having some bloating in my tummy, but it would normally go away quite quickly.

I went to the doctor and asked if I could be allergic to something else. He said I looked fine but he would send me for blood tests. At the time I didn’t know what blood tests I’d had, but later I discovered I’d been sent for a CA125. I got a call that afternoon from a different doctor at the surgery who asked me about my symptoms and confirmed to me that my CA125 was over 1,000. He asked me to come in the following morning and informed me that it could be ovarian cancer. It was the first time I’d heard of the idea. I thought they were joking.

The day after I had the CA125 test, I was referred for an ultrasound scan and a meeting with the gynaecologist. The scan showed widespread cancer.

Although I was told that I needed an operation within the next week, I still haven't had my operation because i don't have enough money for that , i cant get my inheritance because my late husband states i have a husband who stands to receive it .I wish to get my inheritance