You are the world expert on your body.

A year ago today, after feeling poorly for three months and being told to do everything from meditate, to lose weight, to go on a restricted diet and drink peppermint tea, I got the results back from the trans-vaginal ultrasound I’d finally been permitted to have. This was after asking for months if my strange symptoms–loss of appetite, nausea, stomach cramps, back pain, diarrhea, constipation, discomfort–could be ovarian cancer. I was told no again and again. Nevertheless I persisted.

And a year ago today I was told I had a 14cm mass on my right ovary. “It’s probably not cancer” they said. My gut told me otherwise. 16 days later my gut was proven right.

Please listen to your body and your gut instincts. Don’t take no for an answer. If I had, I probably wouldn’t be here today, typing this message. Ovarian Cancer is aggressive. Don’t wait and see if “things improve.” Don’t attribute your symptoms to too many holiday treats or too much stress. If your body is telling you something isn’t right, LISTEN TO IT. You are the world expert on your body.

Print out these symptoms of ovarian cancer from the @nationalovariancancercoalition or screen shot it and take it to your doctor. Tell them how many you have (I had six and was still told to meditate and lower my stress). Demand a transvaginal ultrasound. Nobody could feel my tumor, or a mass. I had three negative pelvic exams before my oncologist at @cityofhope finally managed to feel it. If no one is listening to you ask them this: if I presented with six symptoms of a heart attack would they order a diagnostic test or send me home to calm down? We must advocate for our bodies and our lives. If you have the symptoms from that image for more than three weeks, or intermittently three times over the course of a month, see your doctor or gynecologist IMMEDIATELY.

Only 20% of ovarian cancer cases are caught early because there is no test or scan for ovarian cancer. PAP SMEARS DO NOT SCREEN FOR OVARIAN CANCER. In this season of joy and gratitude, I am grateful to be here and to be alive. I want us all here next year too.

x Deb, December 2022

#NoWomanLeftBehind #ovariancancersurvivor #ovariancancerawareness