Scots mum's bloated stomach turned out to be devastating advanced ovarian cancer
A Scots mum has told of her devastation after a bloated stomach turned out to be a symptom of stage four ovarian cancer, just weeks before her planned semi-retirement.
Rae Hyndman, from Cupar in Fife, was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer in November 2023 after her stomach suddenly began to swell with fluid.
Rae, 60, the CEO of Clas-SiC Wafer Fab, a Silicon carbide Semiconductor company based in Lochgelly, had shown no previous signs of illness.
By the time Rae was admitted to hospital, the disease had already spread far beyond her ovaries, reaching her womb, fallopian tubes, liver, spleen, appendix, diaphragm, large and small bowel, and the omentum, the protective lining of her abdomen.
"There had been no warning signs indicating that I was ill or that cancer had been invading my body" Rae said. "Ovarian cancer is often known as the silent cancer, in around 80% of cases, women are diagnosed at an advanced stage."
Doctors told her a cure was 'highly unlikely', and without treatment, she might only have three to six months to live.
Rae told the Daily Record: "When I was given the diagnosis, I was devastated.
"I'm a mum, I've always taken care of myself, stayed active and was relatively healthy. My family and I are living it, and slowly getting over it, but it was devastating.'
Rae underwent six gruelling rounds of chemotherapy between January and June 2024, followed by major abdominal surgery that involved the removal of multiple organs.
She now takes daily cancer inhibitor medication and is monitored closely by NHS oncology and gynaecology teams.
She said: "The care I received from the NHS was incredible and still continues to be. Since the operation, I've focused on my physical and mental recovery, walking 10,000 steps a day and doing everything I can to stay fit and eat well. I never thought I'd feel normal again, but I do. And I feel so thankful for that."
Despite the enormity of her diagnosis, Rae is determined to make the most of life. With the support of her husband Alan, daughters Rebecca and Emma, son Euan, and close friends, she is now preparing to take on the Tour de 4, a charity cycle event led by Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy to raise money for cancer research.
Alongside her daughter Emma and close friend Graham Barclay, Rae - a novice cyclist - will tackle the event's 56-mile Red Route, a hilly course through the Campsie Fells reaching gruelling 10% gradients.
"When I was diagnosed, I was just four weeks away from semi-retiring." Rae said.
"Now, I've put everything into my training for this event, and I might not be fully ready yet, but I still have six weeks to go.
"I'm doing this as someone living with cancer every single day, to show that a late-stage diagnosis doesn't end your life. You can still live your best life and manage it.'
Rae and her team are raising funds for Ovarian Cancer Action, a UK charity investing in world-leading research to detect ovarian cancer earlier, improve treatments, and one day find a cure.
Rae said: "I feel there's so much awareness around cervical and prostate cancer, and rightly so, but there's far less information out there about ovarian cancer."
" Chris Hoy has done a wonderful job raising awareness for prostate cancer. I just want to help do the same for women."
As her cancer markers remain stable, Rae says her greatest strength has come from her family and community.
"I wouldn't be where I am today without their love and support," she said. "They pulled me through the darkest of days."
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