Symptoms and Signs of Ovarian Cancer

Backpedaling a little here. I felt that I should share my personal story of symptoms before diagnosis in hopes that I could help someone. 

Ovarian cancer presents so vaguely and there currently are no reliable screening tests. None. This leads to late detection. Five-year survival rates for ovarian cancer found at stage I - 90%, II - 85%, III-39%, IV- 17%. Seventy (70) percent of women are diagnosed at an advanced stage. This is a big problem that I intend to try to improve someway, somehow. I believe through more research and development we will make strides and we have in the recent years, but we have a long way to go.  I have too many precious women in my life that deserve better. 

In the summer of 2018, I had some bloating and noticed my tummy popped out more than usual. I chalked it up to weight gain and my IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). That fall I had slowed my running almost to a halt. I also had irregular menstrual cycles. By November, I had pretty much stopped my morning runs and my energy was low. I blamed that on my stress levels of being a mom to teens and being very busy.  By January of 2019, I began to have some vague abdominal pain but it began to persist daily. My bloating worsened to the point I felt 4-5 months pregnant.

January 21st -I had an appointment with my family doctor. I was having daily pain and I was concerned about an ovarian cyst. I'd had these before but not with the persistent pain.  I explained my vague symptoms and she booked an ultrasound.  

January 27th - I had an ultrasound.

January 29th -   I followed up with my family doctor. The ultrasound found a 6cm cyst with multiple foci cysts.  She referred me urgently to a gynecologist and ordered a CA125 blood test (Ovarian cancer tumour marker). 

Feb 5th - I saw the gynecologist. She explained that she felt like I had endometriosis from my complaints and that the cyst would likely have to be removed. She explained that she was referring me to a gynecology oncologist to be safe.  I had an elevated CA125 but that it could be caused by endometriosis.  My CA125 was 222 (normal 0-30)

I met with the gynecological oncologist a few weeks later.  She gave me 3 options  1 - watch and wait, 2 - have the cyst removed or 3 - total hysterectomy (laparoscopy).  After some quick thoughts and brief discussion, I opted for the total hysterectomy. The safest route.

On March 12, 2019, I was rolled into the OR for my surgery. Unfortunately, the end result was stage 2B or III ovarian cancer - epithelial high-grade serous carcinoma.  They removed a 10cm mass on my right ovary that was firmly attached, cancer had spread to my left ovary and my uterus. Biopsies came back positive for microscopic traces of cancer. Who knows how long this beast was growing in my body?

I was extremely fortunate that I acted on my instincts that something wasn't right. I had a awesome family doctor that listened to me and got things done. I had an amazing surgeon that booked me in quickly and did her magic in the OR. I can't imagine what state I would have been had I shrugged this off for a few more months.

My point of this post isn't to make you worry about every ache and pain but it's to inform you. Listen to your body and ensure you explain your symptoms well to your physician.  I hear too often people put blame on the doctors for not catching things. You are responsible for your health and for advocating for yourself.  The Doctor is there to guide and diagnose. If you are not telling the complete story, how are they supposed to help?

Hopefully, this will help someone.

Happy 2020

Here's to moving on.  I've compiled a little video of snapshots
along the way of my changes throughout this journey. Happy that I can look back on all of it and be moving forward. Maybe kind of silly but it's part of my transition and healing.

Now that I've completed the chemotherapy regime I'm trying to normalize my life the best I can. The last 4 months since my last chemo treatment haven't really allowed me to get my normal routine back. I've had some infections and then a very nasty case of shingles on my face and eye that is still lingering.

Last week, I went back to work and it was a nice change of pace. I will work part time for now as I still have a treatment every 3 weeks and various doctor appointments to attend. I am so fortunate to have an amazing work family and a pretty awesome boss (my husband) and I really enjoy being back with them! 

I'm not the same person that left that office on a cold blustery March evening 10 months ago.  I'm fragile yet stronger than ever.

Looking forward to having an amazing 2020~