My Ovarian Cancer Story: 'The Symptoms I Overlooked!' | The Patient Story

Randalynn began experiencing extreme fatigue and weight loss. Initially chalking it up to stress, excruciating pain then sent her to the ER and she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

In this cancer vlog, Randalynn shares her ovarian cancer story - from the subtle early symptoms she overlooked to her treatment journey and advice for others facing a diagnosis. She stresses the importance of listening to your body and advocating for your health.

Video Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:50 My first symptoms: I was stressed and exhausted
03:03 Going to the E.R.
03:26 Getting diagnosed with cancer
06:21 Undergoing surgery
14:21 Getting scans
19:02 Getting genetic testing
23:18 Chemotherapy
26:49 Hair loss
27:53 Getting more scans
28:05 No evidence of disease
30:14 Words of advice

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#ovariancancer #ovariancancersymptoms #abnormalbleeding #cancerspotting #cancersymptoms
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[marthatettenborn-ketocance]

Almost my story exactly! I was 58, in perfect health, got a 16 cm (and still growing) fluid-filled cyst (never had pain, just found it by fluke), had it removed laparoscopically, (ruptured), and then it turned out to be high-grade serous adenocarcinoma, Stage 1C2. Same surgical path and chemo regimen. And five years out, I'm fully cancer-free (q3months Ca 125 checks). You got this, Randalynn!!!

[Mary-tjqx]

Lost my sister to Ovarian Cancer. She was diagnosed when i was 28 and she was 31 and pregnant with what would have been her first child. She had a couple of occurrences and died 8 years later. It’s a real shame there is no screening for this. We need to do better.

[kathymorris]

I had an ovarian tumor the size of a football. I tried to get help from my doctor and he acted like I was drug seeking. I was sick, never felt good. I couldn’t use the bathroom. One night the pain changed. So I waited for the middle of the night to go to ER. They did ultrasound, then cat scans. Basically told me I was going to die. I never had any fear. When I left my home I knew I would have surgery and back home in 2 weeks. They sent me down south to university of Seattle. I said this healing prayers from my faith. Thy name is my healing, O My God, and remembrance of the is my Remedy. The doctor said it was a miracle. They did a debulking, took out some lymph nodes and the cancer didn’t spread outside the tumor. When they brought me to my room, on the nightstand was a beautiful bottle of lotion and across the top it said Remedy. I belong to the Baha’i Faith. Their prayers are amazing. That was in 2011. It’s now Dec. 2023, no recurrence of cancer or tumors

[karencase]

I’m 19 years out from ovca stage 3b. I did have 6 carbo/taxol treatments and 12 additional taxol treatments. I now volunteer in a wig bank. Cancer pts are given free wigs and many additional services. I’m so happy to be of help to them.

[backtothestartjft]

I was diagnosed with stage 3C Ovarian Cancer back in April 2017, I was 3 weeks short from my 45th birthday. I had the chemo, full hysterectomy, and debulking surgery, the avastian afterwards. I was told I had 6 months to live, I remember being so poorly. The symptom awareness is terrible, here in the UK anyway. I did really well on all the chemo drug's. The beginning of this year (Jan 2024) I went for CT scan so I could officially complete the 5yr remission. It now turns out I have one 3.5cm and 3 smaller cysts now found on my pancreas 😢 I'm waiting for more investigations to be done, but we know our own bodies. I'm scared, but I've fought once, I can do this again ❤ btw I rocked a bald head, showers were so much quicker lol! But shout out to all my Teal Ribbon sisters. We are truly built of strong sh*t. Much love to anyone waiting on results, going through treatment, post and in remission and to those dear angels that have passed from the awful disease 🙏🤧💚

[plw]

People who have/ had cancer are extremely brave. My husband is working through his second cancer. No words.

[JamieMurray-mm]

I was a medical liaison for my friend’s non profit for women with GYN CA. She was misdiagnosed for months, and sued the PPO for malpractice. She had 2 young sons, and lived until they both graduated from High School. YEARS after her prognosis of “months to live”.

[leeanntripple]

This was such a captivating telling of her cancer story, something I would not have imagined saying before watching this. Randalynn painted the picture of her experience so well, and told it so bluntly while personalizing it so much, and she was so easy to listen to (soothing voice, good pace). I learned quite a few things about the cancer journey, things that so many of my loved ones probably went through, but which you just don't talk about in this depth. Thank you for sharing your story Randalynn.

[caryngoldsmith]

So beautifully said, especially at the end. We have no control when we get cancer. Just choices. I was stage 3c ovarian cancer, an exceptionally rare type. Chemo and radiation for me. It’s been 17 years. I’m very lucky. I always say I got far more from the experience than was taken from me. Yes, I have neuropathy and lower back pain/hip pain, but I learned more about who I am and what’s important. I’m so fortunate. Let’s enjoy each day!

[tamarabradberry]

Lost my best friend to this in 1996, she was 35. Lost my mom in 2014 to this. Thank you for sharing your story. God bless you.

[maureenjones]

Thanks for sharing your story your saving lives…..my mom was so sick and dismissed in horrible pain and after a year finally was in the hospital she died 6 weeks later I now tell people keep going back and advocate for friends family yourself thank you

[MaureenJaenicke]

3-19-24 thank you for your
story. I saw my Dr today and I am getting checked for ovarian cancer soon. I've gone through breast cancer 2 x with a mastectomy the 2nd time 5 years ago. It has been a long treacherous journey. I hope and pray I don't have to do this again but if I do, I will remember your words and take one step at a time. You are an amazing woman. God Bless!

[JuanDiazSilvermyst]

I love how she explained all of this. I can tell she is aware of her diagnosis. Perfect to educate others.

[daphnesuarez]

Your story is incredible. I am so glad that you had all the support that you needed & it really sounded like you had a great support system. Unfortunately not everyone does. My gf in Alabama had to go through what you did all by herself. She literally had nobody to help her, can you imagine that? Imagine being alone while going through chemo? Imagine recovering at home all alone? You are so lucky & I think you know that you are. Blessings to you! Prayers for those that have to go it alone....

[tomatofaceddisgrace]

My beautiful mum was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer on 21st Dec 2014 and died on 21st June 2015. They said 6 months and she had 6 months to the day. Her only symptoms were some backache and a couple of weeks of what seemed like the flu. Then bam! Stopped being able to go to the loo and she was in agony. Like all of a sudden. I was 6 months pregnant. We’d been shopping for strollers 2 weeks before. It was like a bomb went off in our lives. I miss her so much. So much. A year later Dad took his life. It was just too hard without her.

[garycollier]

My baby sister had what she thought was a bad cold for a couple of months.Finally went to the doctor and was told she had ovarian cancer this was on 3 Oct 20. She had her first chemo treatment on 26 Oct 20. She died later that day of her first chemo treatment from a blood clot.Her death devastated my whole family because she was the baby of the family and we thought she would out live all her brothers and sisters.Pam was 50 years old.

[DawnMcClelland]

Our stories are so similar. I started having back pain November 2019. I started acupuncture to try to help the back pain. I had two episodes of severe night sweats. Couldn’t make any connection. Then in July 2020 just a couple months after Covid started I was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma. RCHOP & radiation and now I’m in remission. Will be 66 in April’24. 🙏🏻
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I had tears running down my face watching it. Because I can relate. But I went through it mostly alone. ❤️

[JoanVBruce]

You're a very brave woman. Thank you for sharing. The more people tell about ovarian cancer it will make drs aware of it
There is no test for it and the systems are so general they are mistaken for less complaints. In my opinion all drs should routinely check for ova cancer in females at age 25+. Im 82 and was diagnosed in 2021 with stage 4 serous fallopian tube cancer. Inoperable due to my age and fitness. Ive had 3 cycles of chemo and am now on maintenance PARP treatment. Its not permanent but will keep me going until the cancer returns or I develope other problems. I had no idea I was so sick. Iwish you the very best on your journey.

[elizabethdenholm]

I lost my oldest sister to Ovarian cancer at the age of 20. Thank God treatment has improved since then. God Bless you Randalynn. You're a star x

[conniepfannerstill]

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I don’t have cancer but have had LUPUS for over 40 years. I have severe pain but I take one day at a time. I have learned that how I react and deal with my health condition is crucial too my mental health. 💝