On Oct. 8 around 1 a.m. I woke up in excruciating pain. I shot up out of bed and started holding my lower stomach trying anything to get it to stop. I got my mom and we went to the hospital. We waited there for about 30 mins before being seen. The doctors poked me with needles and gave me numbing medicine for the pain. I sat there crying because it all hurt so bad. I just wished for it all to stop. They called me back for a CAT scan and the waiting game began.

I was informed that two cysts around two and seven inches long had formed on my ovaries. I sat in silence trying to collect my thoughts. My mom started scheduling appointments to figure out what our next steps are. They sent me home around 7 a.m and told me to take it easy because the medicine is still in my system. I didn’t know what to think other than what might happen to me. Will I be OK? Over the next three weeks I had some days where I felt normal with no pain and no sickness. Other days I could barely get out of bed because I felt horrible and my body ached.

Appointments, appointments, appointments. That’s what my life was like throughout October. The doctors were trying to figure out what was going on inside me and what they’d try to do to help me. I’ve missed more than a few days of school. I fell behind a bit, but am still trying to pull myself together to keep my grades up. I update my teachers on what’s going on. They were very understanding and saw that I was trying my hardest to keep up with my work, even helping me when needed.

I received an ultrasound at one of my appointments to get a closer look in my stomach. The cysts are still seven and two inches long and now are pushing up on my bladder. They send my results to my doctors and send me home. I sat there on the drive home thinking nothing of it. Later my mom came into my room and told me I have surgery in three days. I sat motionless. My emotions start flowing in and I start to cry. I’ve never had a surgery and have no idea what to expect. My mom won’t tell me what’s going to happen because she doesn’t want to freak me out more than I am already. 

As we get closer to the day of my surgery I get more anxious inside. Everyone told me I’ll be just fine but my anxiety took over and I started to get more nervous all over again. All I thought about was waking up at 5:30 a.m. to get ready to head to the hospital. The night before I went in, my grandma called me to ask how I’m doing and I immediately broke down because I’m afraid. She always knows what to say to lift me up and I’m comforted by her words.

On the day of my surgery I was panicking because I was so scared. On the way there I sat silent in the car watching a few others pass on the highway. We arrived and we went inside down the quiet hallways into the surgery clinic and waited. The nurses took me back and we got started. They checked my weight, height, temperature and heartbeat. Then I changed into a green nightgown and waited for the nurses to come back in to give me the anesthesia and other medicines. I quietly sat there as they poked the IV into my hand.

It’s over. I woke up in some pain but I remember nothing and I felt like I just conquered my biggest fear. The nurses ask my pain level and I tell them five. It’s not too much pain but I’m still in pain. My mom came in asking me how much I remembered and I told her the only thing I can remember was them giving me anesthesia. The nurses brought me water and made sure I was OK before performing the procedures to send me home. Next thing I know I’m being wheelchaired to the car and off we went home. My mom and boyfriend helped me out of the car, down the stairs and carefully into my bed. I was so exhausted so they let me sleep.

A few days into recovery things were going smoothly. I was still having slight pain but it was tolerable except at some points. As I heal I’m doing what the doctors said and am making sure to lift nothing heavy and to keep my incisions clean until healed. A week after my surgery I felt great. I didn’t feel like crap anymore. I still had some pain in my abdomen but that will heal better with time. 

Honestly, I’m so grateful I had people around me that cared for my well being and helped me through my entire situation. My advice to my female peers: if you have pains and just think they are cramps like I did, go get them checked out to be safe. I caught mine at an OK time but it could have been worse if I didn’t. Get  a yearly check up just to stay on the safe side. It’s worth it so you know what is going on with your body and you will have peace of mind.