An Interview With Ann Ryan

SHE Stories

Living with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer

Ann Ryan is 63 and lives in Southern Tasmania with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Charlie. After a 25-year career at the University of Tasmania — from Careers Counsellor in 1994 to Executive Director of the College of Arts, Law and Education in 2019 — she retired to enjoy travel, gardening, and time with family and friends. In early 2024, her life changed with a diagnosis of Stage 4 Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer. This is her story.

SHE Stories: Ann, can you tell us a little about yourself?

Ann: I’m 63 and live in Southern Tasmania with my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Charlie. I retired six years ago after a busy career, including 25 years at UTAS where I started as a Careers Counsellor in 1994 and finished as Executive Director of the College of Arts, Law and Education in 2019. In retirement, I was looking forward to more travel, creating a spectacular garden, and spending time with family and friends.

SHE Stories: When did you first realise something wasn’t right with your health?

Ann: I’d been feeling very fatigued for about 12–18 months. Then came night sweats and night terrors, which I initially put down to menopause. I was going to my GP every 3 months or so reporting these symptoms. By the end of 2023, I was struggling badly with sleep deprivation and my stomach had become very swollen.

I wondered if ovarian cancer could be possible, after seeing a segment on TV about it being “the silent killer” with vague symptoms such as fatigue and bloating. The segment mentioned that there was a blood test (not specifically for ovarian cancer diagnosis, but sometimes worth doing) called CA125. So in January 2024 I specifically asked my GP for a CA125 blood test. My GP reluctantly agreed to do the test, stating that a better solution would be for me to take up volunteer work and yoga to keep my mind active and improve my sleep.

On 12 March 2024 I developed a bad cough and saw another GP in the same practice who sent me for a chest X-ray that morning. That led to a CT scan the next day and an immediate diagnosis of ovarian cancer with pleural effusion on my lung. The following day I had 2 litres of fluid drained from my lung, followed by a biopsy that confirmed Stage 4 Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer. In one week I went from being a very active retiree, to being a cancer patient.

Some months after diagnosis I asked my new GP to check what my CA125 level had been after that January blood test and he said I’d never had a CA125 test. I asked him to check again and he said that a CEA – liver function test – had been ordered on that January visit! A normal CA125 is regarded as less than 35 – my CA125 level on diagnosis was 1700.

SHE Stories: What happened next?

Ann: I met my wonderful oncologist at the amazing Icon Centre in Hobart and agreed to commence six rounds of chemotherapy immediately — a combination of three drugs administered through my new, surgically inserted port in my chest. It was 6–8 hours in the chair every three weeks. Unfortunately, I had a severe reaction to one of the drugs which has resulted in peripheral neuropathy in my feet which, 18 months on, still impacts my stability and limits my walking.

I finished my full-on chemo in July 2024 and have remained on “maintenance” infusions every three weeks for the past year to try to keep my disease stable.

SHE Stories: How has your life changed since your diagnosis?

Ann: It’s very different now. There are a lot of medical issues that “aren’t in the brochure”. For example, after having my lung drained a second time, the surgeon suggested I have a talc pleurodesis procedure — basically gluing my lung to the chest wall with powder to stop the lung re-filling with fluid. This procedure has successfully prevented further build ups.

My life sometimes seems a lot smaller these days. The fatigue from my drugs means I’m certainly not the energiser bunny I used to be. I have the most incredibly supportive family and wonderful friends, but even having the energy to catch up with them has been a struggle at times. So I started my “Friday Lunch Club” at a local hotel — where once every couple of months I invite anyone who’s free to come to lunch. It’s been a great way for me to see everyone, and for everyone to get to know each other.

Sometimes the smallest issues can be confronting and overwhelming — like not having the energy to do small things like put up the Christmas tree (stubborn me rejected multiple offers), having to give away my beautiful chickens due to risk of infection, staring at a magazine renewal and wondering if the cheaper 2-year option would be a waste of money!

But my life has changed in beautiful ways as well. Every member of my family — siblings, nieces and nephews, extended family — as well as my legion of devoted friends, have filled every single day with their gifts of love, listening, checking-in by phone, long texts not requiring responses, cleaning, flowers, food, gardening, paintings, pamper packs, keepsakes, funny stories, AI searches for cures, kindness to my puppy Charlie and any number of other heart-felt expressions of love.

SHE Stories: What helps you stay positive and feel in control?

Ann: My default position is happiness and gratitude. I don’t take for granted that I have amazing family and friends, a lovely home, and do not have to try to work or manage a family. My dog Charlie is my constant companion. I got him as an eight-week-old puppy as soon as I retired in 2019 and we had lots of adventures and road trips until I got sick. His favourite spot is on my lap and I love him to bits.

I’m lucky to have spent my whole life travelling the world for work and pleasure — now I’m happy to replace that with lots of SBS travel shows from the comfort of the couch/bed! But I still managed to visit Darwin (and Kakadu and Katherine Gorge by small plane) last October at the completion of chemo, and flew into Melaleuca and Port Davey earlier this year, and went to Devil’s Corner for my birthday lunch by helicopter.

One of the reasons I can stay positive is the incredible recent advances in medical science. To begin with I was too scared to research anything about my particular cancer — a Stage 4 diagnosis seemed hopeless. However, once I had specific details of my disease — thanks to genetic testing that identified the exact gene mutation that is driving my cancer — I started looking at all the research and finding possible drug therapies. The other part of this equation is that I have a wonderful oncologist who treats me as an intelligent partner in trying to find the magic therapy, rather than a passive patient who would be best keeping their ideas to themselves. She, and sometimes I, write to cancer researchers around the world seeking advice about options for my rare cancer and we’ve had exciting support and feedback. In a couple of weeks I start a targeted drug therapy — so watch this space!

I’m also registered with Rare Cancers Australia, the Peter Mac Early Drug Development program and various other research organisations so I know I’m on the radar when new therapies appear.

SHE Stories: What messages would you like to share with other women?

Ann: My biggest message would be to find a GP that doesn’t dismiss your concerns. I now have a new GP who is brilliant, thorough, a great listener and doesn’t treat me as just another over-thinking, menopausal woman. Along with that advice is to be your own strongest advocate. If you feel something is wrong, push for answers, insist on tests — and if you don’t get what you need — find a recommended replacement doctor.

Also, if you’re living with cancer, know there’s still hope. AI and other forms of medical research are speeding up discoveries and new trials are commencing all the time. Try to accept help when it’s offered — and when it’s something that would truly make a difference to your quality of life. I know my tribe will laugh when they read this — but I am getting better at accepting help! Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to manage cancer. And lastly, you can still do amazing things — you might just have to do them differently.

SHE Stories: How did you first hear about SHE?

Ann: One of the very first overwhelming gifts I received when I was diagnosed was a large, white, pamper box, tied with a teal ribbon from SHE. It was full of beautiful, carefully chosen items each designed to bring joy and it shouted — I hear you — I understand what you’re going through — and you are not alone. It was handed to me in the chemo chair on round three after I had received some results that showed the chemo wasn’t being very effective. It was at that point I decided I wanted to do whatever I could to be involved with SHE in the future.

I also worked alongside SHE Board Members, Ben Jones and Denise Fasset, for many years at UTAS — they are fantastic people, and I admire their commitment to improving the health of Tasmanians. I have also followed Scott Harris’s unrelenting determination to honour his wife, Jo, by creating this Wellness Centre as her legacy.

SHE Stories: What are you looking forward to?

Ann: I’m looking forward to so much!

Being a part of lots of family events and celebrations
Growing old with life-long friends
Wearing my Tassie Devils guernsey and woollen jumper at the first game in 2028
Being there when the SHE Wellness Centre opens — I picture myself walking the corridors, finding people who look like they could do with a cuppa and a chat, and being part of what the Centre will offer

✨ “I can still do amazing things, I just have to change the way I do them.” — Ann Ryan