Here is my Ovarian Cancer story 🦋
On October 6th, 2022, I ended up in the emergency room for an issue unrelated to Ovarian Cancer. Since I started puberty at age 8, I’ve struggled with endometriosis. On my trip to the emergency room, the doctor did his normal checkup. While doing this, he felt that my abdomen was sensitive in certain areas. I explained that I have advanced endometriosis and that it was probably an ovarian cyst. He decided to order a CT with contrast and a transvaginal ultrasound. The test results concluded that I needed to see my OB immediately due to a large ovarian cyst.
I was immediately at my OB three days later. It was determined that my best option was a full hysterectomy at the age of 31, nearly 32, with no children. The hysterectomy was much more complicated due to the fact that the large, 15cm ovarian cyst was actually my right ovary. Four tumors were found during my hysterectomy. My OB stated that everything looked normal and he even told me that my tumors were not cancer before pathology returned. Feeling confident when I was discharged from the hospital, I thought the most difficult part was over. On October 20th, 2022, (my 32nd birthday) my world changed forever. I was diagnosed with a rare, high grade form of Ovarian Cancer called Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma. The stage was fully unknown due to the ovary being drained into my abdomen and this had spread the cancer cells.
Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma (OCCC) is a rare form of Ovarian Cancer associated with endometriosis. I was officially diagnosed after an additional staging/debulking surgery at stage II OCCC. I have no genetic disposition to this cancer.
On December 14, 2022, I started my first of 6 rounds of chemotherapy. It’s strange being a cancer patient at the age of 32 and 33. I had major complications during treatment and my body is having a difficult time adjusting to the trauma it’s experienced. On April 17, 2023, I finished 6 rounds of Taxol and Carboplatin, 5 blood transfusions, 6 bone marrow shots, and 5 fluid infusions.
Having cancer has been the most unexpected journey of my life. My form of Ovarian Cancer has an extremely high recurrence rate and I live with that everyday. I hope that sharing my story can help at least one woman!
By: Brittany Turner