Three years ago I was still a newlywed, just becoming established in my career, and excited for what the future held. Little did I know that my recently promised vows would be put to the test and my job as a dietitian for oncology patients would become very personal, ironic right? I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on January 17th 2014, when I was 28 years old. I didn’t have any symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, or fatigue, and in fact almost cancelled the appointment that led to the diagnosis. However, understanding the importance of preventative care led me to the doctor and my OB-GYN felt what was assumed to be an ovarian cyst during the exam. When I went to surgery to have the “cy
Our cancer story started on August 20, 2011, after being married just about a year and a half, I was 28, and my wife, Katie, was 25. I got a call from Katie, a nurse at a cardiologist office at the time, while I was at work that she was having pain in her abdomen and the doctor at her office thought it was appendicitis. I wasn’t alarmed. I had heard of appendicitis. It’s something that you go in, have a minor surgery to have it removed since nobody really knows what it does for your body anyways, and life goes on. Well that is not how it played out for us… Upon getting to the ER, Katie was worried she was going to be embarrassed because the pain had started to subside and at this point
What's your favorite teal drink (Alcoholic/ non-alcoholic) recipe for September? Here's one that we use: Teal-tini 1.5 oz Malibu Mango .75 oz Blue Curacao 1.5 oz Pineapple Juice .75 oz Sour Mix It's always more fun when drinking with friends! Share with us your favorite recipe below. #Kancer #teal #TealTini #TealDrink #OvarianCancerAwareness #tealdiva
I was diagnosed in 2009, at the tender age of 28, with stage 3 squamous cell carcinoma (cervical cancer). Being a young single mother with a 2 year old, it was by far the most surprising, devastating, and mind blowing experience I had experienced yet! With this news, my life took an 180 degree turn into walking in my purpose. After surgery to find out that the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes, several rounds of cisplatin - chemotherapy, internal and external radiation to the cervix and pelvis area, being thrown into complete menopause, and told I could never have children again, I knew that I had to begin my pursuit of living my best life now! 7 years later and cancer FREE, I now share m
On November 18th 2010 at the age of 32 my life was changed forever. I went in for what was thought to be a surgery to remove a possible dermoid cyst on my right ovary as well as possible endometriosis and instead found out I had stage 3a Ovarian Cancer. I was a newlywed and my husband and I were going to try and start a family in the next couple of months. All of our dreams where gone in just three words “you have cancer”. As I recovered in the hospital I was trying to figure out how I’d move forward with my life, what is next and how do I do this? I had decided at that moment that I wasn’t going to let this cancer win, that I would fight and beat this awful disease. Once I got home the
