These ovaries of mine

5/3/2025

Netty Giglio

I’ve had a complex history with these ovaries of mine. 🙂 I want to share my story so that others who are experiencing the same can benefit.

When I was 11 years old, I had to have an abdominal exploratory surgery due to severe appendicitis. The doctors found and removed a large fluid filled cyst from my right ovary. They also had to remove the right ovary and appendix.

I had no problems after that until I was 21. I began having extreme heartburn as well as abdominal pain. Scans showed blood and fluid in the abdomen and a mass on the left ovary. Another major surgery revealed a borderline tumor on the left ovary that had ruptured. At this time, 2006, the standard of care was to remove the mass, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and omentum. I was told I would need no further treatment.

Then in 2022, following severe covid pneumonia, a chest CT found enlarged lymph nodes, that turned out to be stage IV low-grade serous ovarian cancer. After 8 rounds of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and daily medication for life, my scans are currently stable.

However, I will walk with this disease until we find a cure. Now we know that borderline tumors very often precede LGSOC, I want to let all women know this. I believe scans are vital to our health! I want all women to advocate for themselves with their healthcare team. With the support of my family and loved ones, I try to not let myself get bogged down with worry. However if a healthcare provider says to me “oh, it’s probably nothing,” they need to follow that with “but let’s just look to make sure.”

When it feels like something is not right, it is worth looking! You are worth the time, trouble, and testing! Throughout this journey I have come to really know the value of life. We are worth it! Our health and peace of mind is worth it! My hope and prayer is that through research from foundations like STAAR we can uncover testing for ovarian cancer as well as treatments.

By knowing what we're up against, we can walk through this fight together.

Author

Netty Giglio was diagnosed with LGSOC at age 37, more than 15 years after successful treatment for a borderline ovarian tumor.

7 Comments

Eleanor Giglio

5/6/2025 01:01:32 pm

Netty is right! Ask for imaging if you feel something is not right! If you hear borderline, but not cancerous, insist on further testing.

Delia Giglio

5/6/2025 01:03:55 pm

Researching and finding testing that doctors can use to diagnose and treat this cancer is key!

Jennifer Davis

5/6/2025 02:09:13 pm

Thank you for sharing! My situation wasn’t exactly like yours, but I wish my doctors would’ve taken my reproductive health more seriously when I was growing up. Maybe my diagnosis could have come sooner. I appreciate you speaking out and helping others advocate for themselves. 🩵

Nicole Andrews

5/6/2025 02:53:28 pm

Thank you for sharing your story and voicing the message of advocacy. Young women must advocate for themselves and realize that it is not disrespectful to a doctor to do so. Proud of you, Nettie!!

Ashley Nardiello

5/6/2025 04:40:42 pm

Yes! Advocating for yourself couldn’t be more important. 🫶🏼

Lois Andersom

5/6/2025 05:00:10 pm

Thank you for sharing

Carey Parsons

5/8/2025 09:39:46 am

Thank you for sharing your story. May you find blessings along this journey.

These ovaries of mine

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