MakeTheAppointment

September is Ovarian Awareness Month, and this is my plea to every woman to make herself aware of the symptoms. Ovarian cancer is called the silent killer because the early symptoms are so subtle they can be attributed to other common issues. Because of that, women often go undiagnosed until it has advanced to a point that prognosis is grim. There is no lump to find, no screener to routinely give, no clear way to diagnose except surgery. ⬇️

staci.reads In the summer of 2023 I started feeling bad. I had major digestive issues, intense night sweats, pelvic pain, fatigue, and irregular and sometimes heavy bleeding. I told myself it was probably perimenopause; after all, I was a 51 year old woman.
Then in August, the digestive problems got worse, and the pain became more persistent. Finally, I got concerned enough to make an appointment. I met with my family doctor, who I hadn't seen in years. ⬇️ 3mo

staci.reads I explained my symptoms and said "You're probably just going to tell me it's perimenopause."

He said "maybe...but maybe not." Then after asking a lot of questions and ordering blood tests (which ultimately would show nothing), he made me promise that as soon as I left I would make an appointment with my obgyn because - in his words - "gynecological problems can often mask themselves as gastro issues."

That statement may have saved my life. ⬇️ 3mo

staci.reads I kept my promise & made the appointment.
By the time I saw my obgyn, my symptoms included loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss. Luckily, my obgyn recognized the red flags, and she ordered the right tests. We found out I had a 13 centimeter tumor on my right ovary and a CA 125 of over 700. Now, we were off to the races. Countless tests, procedures, and appointments later, I was having major surgery and hearing the words "it's cancer." ⬇️ 3mo

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staci.reads But it could have been much worse. My early symptoms were challenging, but not debilitating. I could have rationalized them longer and continued to put off going to the doctor. I could have had doctors who moved slowly, didn't recognize the symptoms, or chalked my issues up to an aging reproductive system.

I could have given the cancer time to spread.

L 3mo

staci.reads Before the summer of 2023, I knew nothing about ovarian cancer - but luckily my doctors did. But survival shouldn't be about luck. Information is power. Listening to your body is key. I will continue to broadcast the symptoms.
I will continue to share my story in the hope someone listens and gets checked in time. I will pray for the day researchers develop a screener and this disease becomes less deadly. #MakeTheAppointment #KnowTheSymptoms
3mo

TheBookHippie Thank you for this. My daughter‘s longtime dance teacher just died from this. There isn‘t enough knowledge out there. 3mo

TheBookHippie I‘m so glad you caught it. ♥️ 3mo

Librarybelle Thank you for sharing ❤️ 3mo

Caryl Thank you for sharing your story, Staci. Beautiful told, and excellent info that will increase awareness. Grateful for you! 💕 3mo

Amiable You are a warrior! Thank you for continuing to tell your story so that others may heed the warning. 🩵 3mo

mrp27 Thank you for sharing! 💗 3mo

LeahBergen Thank you so much for this! ❤️❤️❤️ 3mo

Bookwormjillk Thank you for sharing this! 3mo

AmyG Thank you for sharing and educating us. Wishing you only good health from this day on. 3mo

Chrissyreadit thank you for sharing this. My primary care dr insisted i get some testing done and i go Friday. Now i have more clarity on why. 3mo

lil1inblue I'm so glad you caught it and are here to share your story. 💓💓💓 Thank you so much for spreading awareness. I didn't know gyno issues often masked as gastro. Good info to have. 3mo

staci.reads @TheBookHippie I'm so sorry to hear that. It's the outcome for too many women. 2mo

staci.reads @TheBookHippie thank you 🩵 2mo

staci.reads @Librarybelle You're welcome! 2mo

staci.reads @Caryl thank you so much🩵 2mo

staci.reads @Amiable Thank you 🩵 2mo

staci.reads @mrp27 @LeahBergen @Bookwormjillk You're welcome! 🩵 2mo

staci.reads @AmyG Thank you 😊 🩵 2mo

staci.reads @Chrissyreadit I'm sending you tons of good vibes. I hope the tests go well and bring answers for you. 💗 2mo

staci.reads @lil1inblue Thank you! I am incredibly lucky 🩵 2mo

TheBookHippie @staci.reads I agree and she dismissed the symptoms as women do. I‘m so glad you posted this. 2mo

nanuska_153 Oh wow, thank you so much for sharing this! I had no idea that gyno problems masked themselves as gastro, that's such good information to have. You are very lucky you got such good doctors, never let them go! 2mo

Chrissyreadit This is crazy- because…. i do need further testing/biopsy. My only symptom was spotting- that i thought was due to hormone therapy. I barely thought to mention it- my pcp asked about gyno and i told her i could not get in until next april so she ordered the tests- and they came back abnormal…. otherwise i would be waiting until spring and may not have insurance after december- im glad you are posting this info. i had no idea. 2mo

staci.reads @Chrissyreadit I'm sorry you're going through this. The unknown truly is the hardest part. I hope your doctors are able to work through the process quickly and get you some answers. 😔 2mo

Chrissyreadit thank you for your thoughtful words! 2mo

BkClubCare 🤗 🙏 2mo

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