Knowing Your Body, Even in Your 20s, Could Be The Difference Between Stage 1 or Stage 4 Cancer
September 26th, 2019
Yes, yes it’s me again. I know you guys thought that once I was in remission I would stop writing lengthy blog posts but alas, here we are. In light of September’s Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, I just have a few words to say. I’m urging everyone to start getting to know their body better because it should be your best friend.
Before getting cancer I KNEW I was a relatively healthy person. I mean, of course, there were nights when I would eat a pint of ice cream, have fries for lunch, or drink a whole bottle of wine. I’m no saint but I also knew how to take care of myself. Whether that was from the food I ate or the exercise I took part in, I was, in my own definition, healthy. Now I’m sure if you asked a celebrity trainer they would think otherwise, but, that is exactly why I don’t have a celebrity trainer.
Last July, I started feeling bloated and not “oh I just ate 5 slices of pizza bloated” it was “oh am I pregnant? Bloated.” I chalked it up to something I ate because I have had stomach problems in the past so I assumed something just wasn’t sitting right. I watched and tracked what I ate to see if maybe dairy was throwing off my system or if I was allergic to gluten. By the end of July, it truly looked like I was three months pregnant. It wasn’t just something that was in my head either. You know when you have those moments when you think you’ve gained weight because those jeans don’t fit you like that used to and then your friends tell you you’re crazy and look great? Yeah, this wasn’t one of those moments. It was a “holy shit” moment.
My friend’s mom is a nurse and I remember going over to their house one night just to hang out and ended up showing her my growing stomach and needless to say she was concerned. With her encouragement and my parents, I made an appointment with a gastroenterologist and the rest, as they say, is history.
What I’m trying to say is KNOW your body! If you feel something is off or if there is something you are concerned about, get it checked out!
Feel constantly run down and can’t pick your head off the pillow? Get it checked out.
Feel a lump on your breast? Get it checked out.
Feel swelling on your lymph nodes? Get it checked out.
Feel like you have something growing inside you? Get it checked out.
I’m not saying start being a hypochondriac and go to the hospital when you have a paper cut but there is no one else who knows your body as well as you do. If you feel something odd, if you notice something different, if something just doesn’t feel right, then you owe it yourself to do something about it.
What’s the harm in going to the doctor to find out some answers? The doctor could tell you nothing is wrong and if that’s the case at least you’ll have peace of mind. If time passes and you’re still not feeling great, go find yourself another doctor because trust me, there are plenty.
You have to be your own advocate. This goes for both mental and physical health. No one is going to help you if you don’t start helping yourself. If you continue to wait a serious situation could get worse and worse. I’m thankful that I went in when I did and it only ended up being Stage 1.
People, it’s not rocket science, it’s your health and it’s one of the most important things in your life (only slightly before pizza and Chad Michael Murray).
Get the answers that you deserve and be an advocate for yourself because it could end up saving your life. Just saying