September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness month, and while I thankfully have never been diagnosed with it, I have a reinvigorated appreciation for ovarian health and awareness following a recent encounter I had with a very different and much less daunting “c” word.
That word is cyst.
Ovarian Cysts and Their Impact
After scheduling an appointment to investigate irregular bleeding and lower abdominal pain a few months ago, it was discovered that I had a five-centimeter (approximately golf-ball-sized) cyst on my right ovary. It appeared to be benign, but it had ruptured, hence the symptoms I was experiencing.
While ovarian cysts are extremely common and harmless, with some statistics suggesting they occur in one in every ten women, this was a first for me. From what I gathered from doctors, along with anecdotal stories from women close to me who experienced similar situations, ovarian cysts can go completely undetected assuming they remain small enough to pass through our systems quickly.
This was NOT the case for me, as I experienced the previously mentioned symptoms along with migraines, lower back pain and next-level fatigue. A bit of nausea was thrown in the mix at times, too.
Also, I was informed that given the size–which is apparently right on the cusp of needing to be automatically surgically removed– I was at increased risk of ovarian torsion, an emergent condition where the ovary twists on its supporting ligaments and cuts off its blood supply.
So, to keep my ovaries and me safe and healthy, my doctor advised that I lay low for the next month, getting lots of rest and avoiding any “jostling” activities like running, jumping, etc.
Seems easy enough, right?
Sure, if you don’t account for the fact this was all happening in those final days of summer which are always a blur of back-to-school forms, prep for the new academic year, meet-the-teacher events and last-ditch efforts to soak in all the completely carefree fun-in-the-sun and stay-up-too-late moments with the kiddos.
I am already one who struggles with sitting still and regularly prioritizing rest (I’m for real regularly working on it, I promise), so the timing of all of this during such a busy season had my body and soul running on empty.
The Real Life Impact
With what felt like an overflowing list of to-dos, I had to get serious about what was absolutely essential and necessary, and let everything else fall to the wayside.
Any time I veered from that approach and started taking on more (something I’m NOTORIOUS for), I felt the consequences, physically, emotionally and mentally. Talk about humbling and also just mind-blowing how this seemingly “small”, unalarming mass in my body could impact so much.
Presently, I’m almost to the end of that first month of being cautious, and am ALMOST back to what’s “normal” for me.
While one doctor did offer a hormonal treatment to help more rapidly shrink the cyst, I opted to do what’s called “watchful waiting” for two months until my next ultrasound, which means no pharmaceutical intervention, and instead I just exercise caution and take it easy–alerting my care team if I experience any weird or alarming symptoms before then.
It’s important to note, I made this decision after carefully consulting with a team of medical professionals. There’s no one right answer on how to approach this situation, as everyone’s experiences are unique to them. This just happened to be the route I chose.
Listen to Your Body
Just let this be a reminder to stay on top of your health and really LISTEN to your body.
It’s so easy as moms to prioritize everyone else’s health and needs around us, but we can’t neglect our own.
Had I not really tuned in with myself and taken the “off” feelings and symptoms I had seriously, this scenario would have just kept going unchecked.
Our ovaries are powerful, essential organs, so treat them with the respect they deserve – your health with thank you for it.
