January 6, 2022
I'm a 22 year old college student. I was diagnosed with Mucinous Ovarian Cancer last December 28th, and here's my story.
Around September 2021, I started feeling full easily whenever I eat something and I feel bloated all the time (I thought, "maybe I was just eating too much"). I also had Loose Bowel Movement and decided to go to an Internal Medicine Doctor. They did few lab tests. After, they gave me medicines, which are effective by the way. I'm feeling normal again.
However, around October 2021. My menstruation started to come twice a month and my stomach hurts a lot (thinking it was just menstrual cramps). My tummy started to become bigger (thinking I was just getting fat ) and I suffer from heartburn all the time.
November 2021, I decided to visit an OB-GYN. After the ultrasound, the doctor immediately advised me to go to a hospital and do CT scan or MRI. She said, she saw multiple large ovarian cysts.
So, I transferred to a hospital and met my new OB-GYN. She performed ultrasound again. She saw a huge mass from my epigastrium till my pelvis. After that, my doctor scheduled me for an MRI (to know the nature of the mass). My MRI results came back, and they’ve found ascites and a 23x20x13cm mass (tumor) occupying my whole stomach. The doctor also ordered different tumor markers (LDH, B HCG, CEA, AFP, CA 125, and CA 15.3). The tumor markers result came back and EVERYTHING was elevated except for the CA 15.3. The doctor told me to find a Gynaecological Oncologist, since a normal OB-GYN won't be able to handle my case.
First week of December 2021, I met my Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist. After seeing my reports from the previous hospital and touching my hard-rock stomach. He immediately scheduled me for an operation.
December 12, 2021. I had my surgery done. The doctors removed my left ovary, left fallopian tube, and tumor (which was 30 cm already by the time of the surgery). At the same time, they also took sample cells and tissue from other parts of my body for the biopsy.
Third week of December 2021, I don’t feel good at all. My incision reopens creating 3 holes. Fortunately, my older brother is a nurse who is really great at cleaning incisions. He cleans the incision site everyday to avoid infections.
December 28, 2021. The biopsy results are out. I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer (poorly-differentiated, primary ovarian mucinous adenocarcinoma) with further investigations needed (Gastroscopy, Colonoscopy, different chemical markers, and tumor marker) since the histopathological findings are suggestive and very suspicious of metastatic adenocarcinoma rather than a primary ovarian mucinous adenocarcinoma.
My Consultant Gynaecological Oncologist is actually very kind, always making sure to have that light-hearted atmosphere. He is feeling positive about everything, and so am I.
Now, I'm just waiting for my schedule for the tests needed! Hoping everything goes well.