North Canterbury News: February 08, 2024

Riding for awareness
By ROBYN BRISTOW
NEWS
North Canterbury News, February 8, 2024
7
Wendy Gerritsen returned to her old home
town last Saturday to launch aspecial
event.
She launched Ride 4Awareness of
Ovarian Cancer at the Oxford A&P
Showgrounds to coincide with Ovarian
Cancer Awareness month and to highlight
the symptoms of the disease by riding her
horse Anmoch through as many South
Island towns as she can.
Wendy, who now lives in Rolleston, was
diagnosed with Stage 3high­grade serous
ovarian cancer in March 2021.
Her husband Stuart, their daughters,
Alex and Sarah, and riding friends from
Oxford joined Wendy at the showgrounds,
along with Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey
and Ilam MP Hamish Campbell to farewell
Wendy on her journey. She will be
accompanied on tour by Stuart.
‘‘Ride 4Awareness is not really about
me,’’ Wendy says. ‘‘I am just the wheels on
the bus so to speak —the one who got/has
ovarian cancer, and doesn't want others to
go through what my family and Ihave.’’
Ovarian cancer can be difficult to
diagnose as there are often no early
symptoms and later­stage symptoms can
sometimes be dismissed as something less
sinister.
However Wendy is hoping highlighting
her symptoms will encourage women to get
tested so it can be detectedearly.
``There is amuch higher survival rate
the earlier ovarian cancer is diagnosed,’’
she says. ``I would love to see everyone
have ayearly warrant of fitness so these
things can be picked up early.''
Wendy’s symptoms included back pain,
spotting, liquid leaking ­which she thought
was bladder leakage ­feeling tired, eating
less, feeling full, losing weight, and having
an enlarged stomach.
She convinced herself there was an
explanation for all her symptoms but
Ride 4Awareness ... Wendy and Anmoch.
PHOTO: SHELLEY TOPP
eventually, when her back pain would not
heal and her stomach continued to grow,
she decided to see aGPand now has ‘‘an
awesome medical team’’. ‘‘Do not take `no'
for an answer,’’ she says.
‘‘Ask for blood test Ca125 to be done and
get apelvic ultra­sound. Find out why you
are having the symptoms, they are not
normal, and get asecond opinion if you
feel you are not being listened to.’’
Anmoch plays ahuge role in helping her
deal with her illness. ‘‘She has been my
best friend, she has given me focus, she has
given me goal­setting, Ihave to stay fit
enough to look after her and to be able to
ride her. Anmoch has been there every
step to help me navigate this beast of a
disease. When Iwalk slow Anmoch walks
slow when Ihave energy, Anmoch has
energy.
‘‘She is my Highland heart horse.’’
Follow her on the Ride 4Awareness
Facebook page.
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