Doctors Thought That She’s 5 Months Pregnant, There’s Just One BIG Problem With That…
Doctors Thought That She’s 5 Months Pregnant, There’s Just One BIG Problem With That…
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An 18-year-old woman in California, named Riley Benado, recently received shocking news. After learning that she had a devastating medical condition, Riley started a GoFundMe account in order to help raise money for her medical bills. Riley is a recent high school graduate who loves wakeboarding, cheerleading, and photography. A few months ago, Riley went to see her doctor because she had been feeling bloated and having uncomfortable pelvic pain.
At first, the doctors just assumed Riley was pregnant because her abdomen was so swollen. She was first given a pregnancy test, and health care providers told her that she was at least 5 months pregnant. Though the doctors kept suggesting that she was pregnant, Riley knew this was impossible because she was actually still a virgin. Since Riley knew she could not be pregnant, she insisted that the doctors run more tests.
After ultrasounds and CAT scans, the doctors finally figured out what was wrong.
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It turned out that Riley had stage 3 ovarian cancer. One of Riley’s ovaries had a tumor that was 11 by 13 centimeters wide, which was why she had been looking pregnant. In order to save Riley’s life, it was necessary to remove one of her ovaries and her uterus. On September 26, 2015, just days after she had been diagnosed with cancer, Riley underwent surgery. Tests now show that Riley is completely cancer free. She says, “I am so thankful that this emotional journey had such an amazing outcome. I will continue living life thanking my remaining ovary for staying strong and keeping the ability to give me children.”
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Though Riley’s story has a happy ending, countless other women have not been so lucky. Ovarian cancer is a devastating illness that can, unfortunately, mimic the symptoms of pregnancies and other medical conditions until it is too late to stop it. Ovarian cancer occurs when malignant tumors grow on the ovaries. The cancer cells from the ovarian tumors can travel to other body parts, where they can cause many problems. The stage of cancer tells how far cancer has spread throughout the body. Riley’s stage 3 cancer has a survival rate of roughly 34%, so she was incredibly lucky. If ovarian cancer is caught in an early stage, it is easier to treat.
Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer for women because it is hard to notice the signs and symptoms before it reaches a more serious stage. The most common symptoms of ovarian cancer are frequently feeling full, having to urinate often, having a swollen abdomen, changes in menstrual cycles, and having belly pain. As illustrated by Riley’s story, these symptoms can often be mistaken for pregnancy. Other signs of ovarian cancer can include constant exhaustion, digestive issues, heartburn, back pain, weight loss, and pain during intercourse.
Though having one of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have ovarian cancer, it can be an early warning sign. If you notice any of these symptoms, it is essential to talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Noticing and diagnosing cancer before it has grown makes it far easier to receive effective treatment.
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