Rachael Misfud, 38, was unknowingly dealing with ovarian cancer after being placed on a nine-month waiting list to remove what was believed to be a harmless cyst. Misfud, a mother of four, first noticed extreme fatigue as her initial symptom, describing feeling like a much older person and needing to rest immediately after work. Concerned by bloating, she sought medical attention and an ultrasound revealed a mass on her ovary, initially assumed to be benign. However, nine months later, Misfud, along with her husband Anthony and their children, received the shocking news that the tumor was cancerous, specifically mucinous ovarian cancer, a rare subtype characterized by mucus-covered cells.
Following the diagnosis, Misfud underwent a second surgery to remove all her reproductive organs before starting chemotherapy. While she found chemotherapy less daunting than expected, the most difficult part was supporting her children through her treatment, especially her youngest who struggled the most upon seeing her lose her hair. Thankfully, Misfud’s cancer was caught early, leading to a more positive outlook. Reflecting on her experience, she emphasized the importance of early detection and prompt action, suggesting that more frequent scans for those on waiting lists could be beneficial in catching potential issues sooner. Misfud also shared her belief that the default assumption should be cancer until proven otherwise, highlighting the importance of advocating for one’s health.
