According to the National Cancer Institute, ovarian cancer has a 46% five-year survival rate. Early detection is critical. But most young people aren't comfortable advocating for the healthcare and early detection they need.
That stops now. The fight is on.
That stops now. The fight is on.
I struggled with chronic lower abdominal pain for over five years.
I have had chonic abdominal pain for over five years. The doctors were never able to accurately diagnose my condition or look into other options. Their diagnoses were usually: UTI, severe cramps, hormonal changes, endometriosis, etc. So I lived with the pain.
Thanksgiving week (2021), while in San Diego at university, the pain was severe. I went to the emergency room and the doctors discovered a large mass (12 cm.) on my ovary. I had emergency surgery that night to remove the mass and my right ovary. I was told, this is just a large cyst. I thought my pain would finally go away.
It wasn't a cyst.
A week after surgery, the pathology report came back and I got the worst news imaginable. "You have cancer." And not just any cancer; a rare and aggressive cancer called small cell carcinoma hypercalcemic type of the ovary (SCCOHT.)
I am one of 500 people worldwide to have this cancer. Thanks to a close family friend, we were abe to find an expert on this type of cancer and spoke to him on his recommended treatment regime.
Cancer and chemo.
We flew home ot the Bay Area and met with our local oncologist. Thankfully he was open to the treatment regime recommended by the expert we suggested and based on a study in France. One week later, I started chemo, after having surgery to install a port, getting an echocardiogram, meeting with a fertility specialist and detailed discussions with a pharmacist on the chemo side effects.
I am currently going through six rounds of chemotherapy and stem cell treatment. We are also working on a healthier diet and researching natural cancer remedies.
Fighting for Female Health.
I want to make a change and spread awareness about female health and early diagnosis.