Life is pretty hectic. Especially as a college student, you have to balance out a job, school, friends, family, and personal down time. We often forget about how precious and fragile life is. We often take people and events for granted, and we get upset over minor things, like a failing quiz grade or getting stuck in traffic. For me, it took a cancer scare to be able to take a step back and realize how beautiful life is and how blessed I am. I didn’t realize how amazing my life was until I saw how potentially bad it could have gotten, if it weren’t for a miracle that happened.

A couple of months ago, I made a gynecologist appointment because I was having very irregular periods. I wasn’t too concerned about it, but I wanted to be safe. My gynecologist did a routine checkup as well as a sonogram, and found a small ovarian cyst. He said since it was small it wasn’t much to worry about, but we would keep an eye on it. I went back every month after that for a sonogram, and after going back a third time and the cyst was not only still there, but bigger, my gynecologist decided it would be best to have it removed. That next week, I went in for my surgery. My gynecologist assured me that it was nothing to worry about, and that ovarian cysts are very common in teen girls and young adults. He did warn me of the risk factors because, of course, it is his job to but he assured me that due to my age and good health I had nothing to worry about.

When I woke up from the surgery, I could tell something wasn’t right. I tried to brush off my feelings of uneasiness and reminded myself that, of course, I was going to feel weird just waking up from anesthesia. But the fact that my entire family was in my hospital room, and that I was staying overnight when I was expected to go home right after, was definitely odd. I knew in my heart something was up.

Once I was situated, my mom and the gynecologist sat me down and explained what was going on. Once he began operating he realized the cyst was not what he initially thought it was. It appeared to be a cancerous tumor. Two oncologists were immediately called in, and they both agreed that it looked cancerous. Although there was no confirmed diagnosis, they were almost positive. The surgeon removed my ovary, fallopian tube, and appendix, because the cyst was touching all three of those areas. The cyst was then sent to the lab for testing. We were going to have to wait three to five days to find out the official results and what my treatment would be.

I could not believe what I was being told. I am 20-years-old, and I have ovarian cancer? How is that even possible? I have watched way too many people in my life battle cancer for a 20-year-old, and now I was going to be the one battling it. I never realized how many things in my life I’ve taken for granted. I envied my friends for continuing to do the things they normally do, even going to work or school. I knew in my heart I wasn’t going to be able to handle cancer treatment- I am horrible with hospitals and faint at everything. I had never felt so helpless and so weak in my entire life.

However, I tried my best to stay strong and hold myself together for the next few days. I didn’t want any of my friends or family to be scared, so I tried to act as if everything was fine so they wouldn’t feel as scared. Five days later, we finally got the call. Miraculously, the cyst was not cancerous. The doctor told us it was an extremely rare tumor that has a similar appearance to cancerous cysts, but is completely benign. Never in my life have I felt such a sense of joy. No birthday present or material gift could ever compare to the feeling. My outlook on life truly changed that day. I’ve always been a very anxious person and struggled with my self-esteem, but I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders; not just because I was cancer-free, but because I saw the world differently. I became a much more optimistic and cheerful person in just that day.

From this experience, I have learned to take nothing for granted. You constantly hear stories in the news about accidents or illnesses that happen to young people, but the effect something like this has on you when youare the one who experiences is it is a feeling I can’t even begin to describe. I now appreciate the tiniest details of my life, knowing how many things I wouldn’t be able to do if I had cancer. I’ve now learned to make my health a priority. If I never went to the gynecologist, that cyst could have gotten bigger and ruptured, resulting in a much more severe problem. I’m so grateful I had such a good doctor as well. There is absolutely nothing wrong with switching doctors if you are not comfortable with the one you have. Your health is your right, and if you are not happy with your doctor for whatever reason, you have the right to find someone better. Before this gynecologist I had a different one who was not right for me, and I am so happy I switched while I could. I often wonder the outcome of my surgery if I still had my old gynecologist.

After this experience, I am a much happier and optimistic person. I thank god every day for my health and I believe that I have bigger and better things ahead of me to look forward to.