Living WITH Ovarian Cancer

Recently it was the 3 year anniversary of my cancer diagnosis. I celebrated with a beautiful dinner out with my husband Paul.

It was a moment of celebration and also reflection of the incredibly hard times we have all been through as a family, but have managed to get through as well as we can.

I've also stopped chemo for a while. Its a very strange feeling.....
I went in for my routine scans during maintenance chemo and then in to my meeting with my oncologist, where she said after 20 months of clear scans it was time to stop chemo for three months and see what happens. She never thought we would be at this point and neither did I.

I was elated! I was so over chemo!!!! I know I had to have it but I really was completely worn out physically and emotionally after 2 years straight of monthly chemo treatments.

I remained on the hormone blocker so was still on some treatment, but the side effects are nothing compared to pumping chemical into your body every month.

I've enjoyed the last three months without chemo immensely and when it came time to have my next scan I had totally prepared myself to be going back in for chemo and for my cancer to have relapsed.

The scan was clear!

I was happy to hear this but I'm not sure I was emotionally prepared for this. I didn't leave the room fist pumping. It's very hard to explain to someone who hasn't been through this.

Paul was quite cross with me. Why didn't I appear happier?

The thing is Ovarian Cancer is not curable. I have another scan in three months time and that is always hanging over your head. My cancer will return it is just a matter of when.

Life with chemo was somewhat altered for me so that I avoided risky situations of infection and had time to recover. Don't get me wrong, I'm extremely grateful every day to be alive!!

So where to now? Its like I'm in limbo. Living life but not quite to the fullest.......

In Australia one woman dies every ten hours from ovarian cancer.
The Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation is working hard to support finding a cure and developing an early detection test for ovarian cancer. To find out more visit the OCRF.

Frocktober

What is Frocktober?

Throughout October, the Frocktober campaign invites women to band together and wear their favourite dresses while raising funds for the OCRF.
For a day, a week or the whole month, something as simple as the clothes we put on our back has the potential to start important conversations, raising awareness of the lack of early detection method, of women’s experiences, and of how we as a community can do more to support ovarian cancer research.

Why should I frock up?

Frocktober empowers women of all backgrounds, lifestyles and fabulous fashion senses to support a common cause: ovarian cancer research. It’s a chance to connect with like-minded women, share personal experiences, and play a pivotal role in the journey towards an early detection test for ovarian cancer.'

How do I get involved?

Frocktober is all about participation, in whichever form that may take.

Dedicated supporters might curate a month-long Frocktober wardrobe, uploading a snap of themselves in a different dress each day to their social channels. Others may choose to gather a group of friends to frock up and attend a single event. 

So what am I doing to support Frocktober?

After the success of the Adelaide Silver Style Cocktail Party 2016, I decided it would be a good idea to run another Adelaide Silver Style event.

To mix things up a bit I'm holding a fundraising lunch inline with the Frocktober Campaign.

Planning of the Adelaide Silver Style Frocktober Friday Lunch in support of the OCRF is in full swing!

I've assembled the best of the best in Adelaide.

DETAILS-

Adelaide Silver Style Frocktober Friday Lunch

Date- 27th October 12pm till 3pm

Venue- Stone's Throw - recent winner of Best New Restaurant - Metro  Restaurant & Catering 

MC- Lucy Cornes

Guest Speakers - Lucinda Nolan CEO OCRF and Georgia Arentz OCRF Researcher

Fashion Showcase & Illustration by Petar Prodonovic

Huge thanks to major sponsors Adelaide Obstetrics and Fertility and Abbott Pathology for once again supporting the Adelaide Silver Style.

For more info head to www.adelaidesilverstyle.com

For more info about hosting your own event head to http://www.frocktober.org.au/

WITCHERY WHITE SHIRT CAMPAIGN LAUNCH 2017

Photo via Witchery

I recently had the honour of speaking at the Witchery White Shirt Campaign Launch at the Roslyn Packer Theatre.

The campaign is a fashion based initiative by Witchery in support if the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. 

Photo via Witchery

The event was attended by the 2017 campaign ambassadors including Megan Irwin, Tahnee, Atkinson, Annabella Barber and Zoe Cross. Along with Australia's top media Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, , Elle, Marie Claire, Instyle, Sunday Life and style influers Yan Yan Chan, Nadia Fairfax, Nathan Joliffe and Kaitlyn Ham, as well as many others including members of the Witchery and OCRF teams.

With Lisa from the OCRF photo via Witchery

I share my speech with you here....

Firstly massive thanks to the OCRF and Witchery for having me here to share my story today. The more we hear real stories from patients and survivors the greater the awareness will be.

I’m Letitia Linke 37 wife to Paul, and mum to Ollie 11 and Tommy 10. I live on a farming property 2 hrs from Adelaide.

In 2013 I went on a health kick and lost a large amount of weight through diet and exercise.

I felt some pain in my abdominal wall and felt a lump.

 I went to two GPs who suspected I had a hernia and referred me to a reconstructive surgeon.

This surgeon sent me off for an MRI in which they noticed some unusual tissue, at this time they thought  it to be endometriomas.

I was then referred to Gynaecologist who booked me in for a cleanup operation, on one of the worst cases of endometriosis she had ever seen.

Whilst in surgery she biopsied my ovaries.

A few days later I had a call from her to discuss my results.

I received the news that they had found ovarian cancer cells. I was aged 34.

A few days later I underwent a radical hysterectomy.

At this point I felt extremely grateful for having had my two boys at a young age.

During this surgery they removed the abdominal lumps I had felt. These turned out to be cancerous tumours.

What followed was 18 weeks of chemotherapy once a week in Adelaide.

Then another operation to remove yet another tumour.

5 weeks of 5 day a week radiotherapy in Adelaide. Then another operation to fix part of my bowel which had been obstructed by the cancer.

During this operation my doctor noticed some spots on my abdominal wall....

My cancer had relapsed.

I wasn’t surprised. I’d seen it happen to other patients and the percentage of relapse in Ovarian Cancer Patients is extremely high.

I then started another 6 months of monthly chemotherapy.

I am now still on maintenance chemotherapy once a month. My latest scans are good but I know that this can change at any time.

It’s chemo once a month and life as normal the rest of the time.

I feel extremely lucky that my cancer was found early enough to treat. Not everybody is so lucky.

There is a huge need for an early detection test for Ovarian Cancer. Pap smears do NOT detect it despite 50% of our population believing incorrectly that it does.

Before I was diagnosed I knew nothing about Ovarian Cancer.

The work I have been doing in my role as community ambassador for the OCRF has been both rewarding personally and a great positive focus to have whilst undergoing treatment.

The White Shirt Campaign has helped hugely to raise the profile of Ovarian Cancer Research in Australia whilst also raising the vital funds needed to develop an early detection test and more targeted successful treatments.

My heartfelt thanks to Witchery and the OCRF for their support of Ovarian Cancer Research.

During the WHITE SHIRT CAMPAIGN I will be wearing my white shirt proudly because until 3 years ago aged 34 diagnosed with ovarian cancer I had no idea of the signs and symptoms. I would like to raise awareness for this horrible disease, educate women to know their bodies and help fund research for an early detection test. 

I will also wear it for my friends from the chemo room who have sadly lost their battle.... let’s all do our very best to help others win theirs!

You can get your white shirt here !

With my bestie Sally photo via Witchery

White Shirt Day

White Shirt Day- Photo by Kelly Dyett - Black Sheep Photography

Today is White Shirt Day.

Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation and Witchery have teamed up to help raise ovarian cancer awareness and vital funds for the development of an early detection test. 

I share my story in the hope it might help save even just one life.................

9 months ago aged 34 years old I was given the news that I had Ovarian Cancer.

Over a year earlier I hit the Michelle Bridges bandwagon and decided to get super fit and healthy.
30 kgs lighter and feeling fabulous I discovered a lump in my abdomen that I could not feel before.
A few trips to the doctor who suspected a hernia and a referral to a specialist reconstructive surgeon, who could fix it and my large abdominal wall separation, led me to have an MRI.

They found what they thought were Endometriomas and one of the worst cases of Endometriosis they'd seen.

So off to a Gynecologist and a routine procedure to 'clean up' the Endo. Whilst in surgery my ovaries were biopsied. Thank goodness they were.... Thankyou Dr Simona Fischer!

On top of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Endometriosis, I had Ovarian Cancer. Me? Really? I didn't have any symptoms. Or did I?

A week later I had a Radical Hysterectomy. I was so incredibly grateful for my two children and for having them when I was in my mid twenties. The lump in my abdomen turned out to be a tumor.

Next it was 18 weeks of chemo once a week in Adelaide. I was lucky enough to have access to the 'Cold Cap' meaning I didn't lose the hair on my head. Those who say 'your hair doesn't matter' you have no idea!  I just wanted to look as normal for my children as possible and to feel as normal as I could.

Last day of chemo and my balloon from chemo buddy and friend for life Kel!

Next I underwent another big operation.

ICU getting in to the ice chips!

And you thought you loved your children before!

Last week I finished my 20 sessions of radiotherapy.

I've had the most amazing doctors and medical staff around me at all times and I've had the most up to date treatment available.

I've met some of the most incredible people along the way and been truly inspired. I've become a much better person than I was before.

I would like to thank my husband Paul and my two boys Ollie and Tommy for their unconditional love and support over my treatment. I could not have done it without them. 

Last day of Radiotherapy

Also to my family and friends for their support and friendship. I know I've been a little cranky and precious at times and I appreciate your understanding and patience. The biggest thanks to all who looked after and out for my boys over the past 9 months.

What I don't know is if or when the cancer will return. I'm just getting on with my life.


Please take the time to learn the signs and symptoms of Ovarian Cancer. I had some of them but I had no idea! We desperately need a screening test developed so that early detection can save lives.

If you would like to donate to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund and support my team in the 2015 City to Bay please head over my fundraising page https://citybay2015.everydayhero.com/au/letitia.

Single Fronted Cottage - Master Makeover

After- new built ins and white fireplace

Housewarming gift - Love print from My Sweet Prints 

Much needed storage

LOVE my new curtains

Simple and hopefully timeless lighting- yellow walls still to be painted.
Colour suggestions?

Before!

I always knew this little SFC had great 'bones' it just needed a facelift!

I have thoroughly enjoyed decorating our Master Bedroom! Hope you like it?

Can't wait to share the rest of the house.

The Single Fronted Cottage

The Single Fronted Cottage

Those of you who follow me on Instagram will know that I've been a little excited by the purchase of our very own little 'city pad'.

We used to own an apartment at North Adelaide before children but sold that to be mortgage free whilst raising little boys!

It's always been a dream of our to have a little single fronted cottage close to the city. We've always kept our eye on the market and had been waiting for the right property to come up.

We toyed with the idea of new of more modern properties, but that's just not us!

The boys scooting around the area with little mate Zander who lives one street away! Perfect! 

We missed out on a few I had my heart set on but this one is now ours. It's TINY but in a fabulous location, less than a km to the city, close to beautiful shops and restaurants.

I look forward to sharing our transformation with you! Any guesses what colour I am painting the maroon?

POP UP SHOP!

Delighted to announce our first ever Pop Up Shop! Even more excited that we have been able to 'join forces' with fabulous Rural and Online Fashion Boutique Bramhall & Miles.

We will open on Tuesday the 18th March and plan to run for about a week depending on stock and interest. 

Keep you eye on our Facebook page for updates on opening hours!

Green

Pretty New Arrivals- shop them here 

Lots of beautiful new products in store. I just adore green!

Stay tuned for some new and quite different items that are coming to the store soon.