I am Vicki a 5 year stage 3A GCT Ovarian cancer survivor. 6 years ago at the age of 37, after years of failed pregnancies I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. After a failed attempt at saving eggs I entered into chemo. 6 rounds of carbo/taxol. I lost my hair, my ability to have children & so much more. Fast…
By: Emily Goldberg Genetic Counselor As a genetic counselor for the last 10 years, I’ve counseled patients about their cancer risks and guided them through the genetic testing process. I help them decide if genetic testing is right for them and explain how their test results might impact their physical and mental health. We discuss next steps and how to…
ByL Michelle Gray My journey first started on 14 July 2001, when I found a lump in my left breast whilst having a shower. I knew straight away it was cancer even without it being confirmed. My parents (Dad and Step-Mum had just gone away for 3 weeks to USA). I was 34 years old, getting divorced with 2 boys…
My name is Lauren McMasek and I was diagnosed with clear cell carcinoma ovarian cancer when I was 28. 2017 was a banner year for my personal and professional goals. In June, I started my dream job as a stream ecologist in a small non profit, and on August 5, 2017 I married my best friend and partner of 7…
By: Jennifer In 2018 I had noticed my menstrual cycle had changed. At first, I chalked it up to my age and possibly early menopause. Not liking going to the doctor, I began to google potential problems. The one I “self-diagnosed” myself with was endometriosis. It seemed to match all the symptoms I had and what was happening with my…
I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer at the age of 35, October 26, 2020 to be exact, and found out 2 1/2 weeks later it was Stage 2B and we would need to do chemo. I am from Lake Charles,LA and August 2020 was a rough month for us. Our city was devastated by Hurricane Laura. We had no electricity…
By: Debbie Schwartz Excuse me ma’am, you must be in the wrong place. I was 21, pushing my stroller with my 6 month baby. Going for my first mammogram. With tears falling down my face I explained I was very much in the right place. My sister had just been diagnosed with stage 3 invasive breast cancer, BRCA positive, she…
By: Angela S I was 39 turning 40 when I began having random nipple discharge. I had four children at the time ages 10, 8, 5 and 1. Multiple doctors told me it was probably just a clogged milk duct. But I never could breast feed so that didn’t make sense to me. I tried to nurse my first baby…
By: Melissa Simpson Summer 2019, 37 years old, I started getting fatigued, having bladder control issues and then started bleeding even though I had an IUD in place. My doctor found a cyst and that led to tests that showed an elevated CA-125. The doctor referred me to an oncologist even though I was too young to get cancer. The…
By: Kerry Morrison, RN On June 23rd, I had surgery #3/4 for the BRCA mutation. I always thought being proactive and saying, “Goodbye” to the girls was the way to go. Surgery went well. The “Team Boobies” picture was taken 10 years ago at The Relay for Life. As an Oncology Nurse, I have participated in Relay multiple times. My…
