Debbie Woodworth and Julie O’Keefe. Mrs O’Keefe is organising a fundraiser for for Mrs Woodworth, who is fighting ovarian cancer.
Camera IconDebbie Woodworth and Julie O’Keefe. Mrs O’Keefe is organising a fundraiser for for Mrs Woodworth, who is fighting ovarian cancer. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Cancer takes toll on Deb

Stuart HortonWeekend Kwinana Courier

Debbie Woodworth was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2011.

“I never honestly thought I would get cancer,” she said.

“I’ve always tried to eat healthy and exercise.

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“I went to see a local doctor and told him I wasn’t feeling well and was having trouble going to the toilet,” she said.

“I knew something was not right, but was not prepared to be told I had ovarian cancer.”

Mrs Woodworth had her ovaries removed in her first operation. The cancer had not penetrated the organs and could be scraped off. “I also had a tumour 15cm in length, which had to be removed,” she said.

“I had never been in so much pain.”

Life resumed to normal for about 18 months until Mrs Woodworth started to experience sharp pains in her stomach. The cancer had spread to her appendix and Mrs Woodworth underwent another operation.

“Almost two years later my stomach was bloated and sore so off I went to the doctor again,” she said.

“There was another tumour.

“This time I had a major operation and had my bowel removed and part of my small intestine.

“I thought to myself, ‘Is there anything left in there?’”

Mrs Woodworth also had to undergo chemotherapy.

“I have not been able to go back to work and if it wasn’t for my wonderful family and friends, I don’t know what I would do,” she said.

Fundraiser for Deb WHAT: Psychic Healing Fair with reiki healing, remedial massage, New Age giftware and reflexology WHERE: Waikiki Community Centre, Rand Avenue WHEN: Saturday, April 9 CONTACT: Julie on 0409 827 831