In October 1993, I went for my annual exam with my general practitioner. She told me I looked and felt like I was about 20 weeks pregnant, which I was not. Over the course of the next 5 months, I kept getting urinary tract infections, throwing up and had no appetite. My stomach kept getting bigger and the doctor kept saying I was either fat or pregnant.

Finally, in March of 1994, she was curious enough to send me for an ultrasound. I was 23 years old. The ultrasound showed a mass. The next day, the CT scan showed a HUGE mass, and the only organs that the surgeon could see not possibly attached were my liver, spleen and gallbladder. The next day I had a 21 lb. ovarian tumor removed, along with the left ovary and fallopian tube. It was completely encapsulated. Luckily, I was sent to a great gynecological oncologist in another state who followed me faithfully for 10 years.

I am now the adoring mother of a 5 year old girl and am ever vigilant when it comes to unexplained sensations/pains in my abdomen.