My Journey from Endometriosis to Ovarian Cancer Survivor

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and what better way to bring attention to this condition than by sharing my own story? Many people have no idea that I am not only a survivor of ovarian cancer but that my journey started long before that—with endometriosis.

For years, I was told my pain was "normal." That the excruciating cramps, the fatigue, the bloating, and the unpredictable cycle were just part of being a woman. Doctors dismissed my concerns, friends shrugged it off, and I learned to suffer in silence. But endometriosis is not just a "bad period"—it’s a chronic illness that affects millions of women worldwide, and it nearly cost me my life.

Living with Endometriosis: The Silent Battle

Endometriosis is when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, causing pain, inflammation, and sometimes infertility. For me, the symptoms started as a teenager. I would miss school because my cramps were so severe that I couldn’t stand upright. My stomach would swell to the point where I looked pregnant, and no amount of over-the-counter painkillers could touch the pain. I was exhausted all the time, and yet, every time I sought medical help, I was met with the same dismissive responses:

• "It’s just period pain."

• "You’ll grow out of it."

• "Try birth control—it’ll fix everything."

I tried everything they suggested, but nothing worked. My pain only got worse. By my early twenties, I was on a first-name basis with emergency room staff because the flare-ups would get so bad that I would end up doubled over in agony, unable to function. But still, no one seemed to take me seriously.

The Diagnosis That Took Too Long

It took over a decade for a doctor to finally say the word: endometriosis. And even then, the only way to diagnose it definitively was through laparoscopic surgery. By the time I got my diagnosis, my reproductive organs were covered in adhesions, and I was told I might have difficulty conceiving in the future. The anger I felt was immeasurable—why had I been dismissed for so long? Why had I been told it was "just part of being a woman" when it was a serious medical condition?

But the worst was yet to come.

From Endometriosis to Ovarian Cancer

I thought endometriosis was the biggest battle I would face. I was wrong.

Before I was even 24 years old, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. I was forced to make a decision that no woman should ever have to make, let alone someone so young—I had to undergo a hysterectomy. A choice that women in their 30s or 40s might struggle with was thrust upon me in my early 20s. My future, my dreams of having more children, my sense of womanhood—all of it was stripped away in a moment. The emotional toll was devastating.

But in the midst of that grief, I held onto one of my greatest blessings—my child. I was fortunate to have had one child before my hysterectomy, and that child became my pride and joy. The pain of knowing I would never carry another baby haunted me, but I found a way to fill that void. My home became a place of joy and laughter, always filled with the noise of children. My daughter’s friends, her soccer teammates, and classmates were always around, creating a sense of family and energy that helped ease my heartache.

Still, not a day goes by when I don’t think about the "what-ifs." What if I had been diagnosed sooner? What if the cancer had been caught earlier? What if I had been given a chance to explore other options? But I know that dwelling on the past won’t change my reality, so instead, I channel that energy into awareness, advocacy, and making sure that no woman has to face this journey alone.

The Silent Suffering of Women

I know how lucky I am. Many women with endometriosis and ovarian cancer never get the chance to have even one child. And that reality breaks my heart. This is why awareness is so critical. Women are suffering in silence, their pain dismissed, their struggles ignored. And too many don’t get the answers they need until it’s too late.

Endometriosis is not just a reproductive health issue—it’s a whole-body condition. Women with endometriosis often suffer from other health complications, including autoimmune disorders, chronic fatigue, and, in some cases, even increased risks of certain cancers. And yet, research into this condition remains limited. The funding is inadequate. The awareness is lacking. And because endometriosis doesn’t always present the same way in every woman, many suffer for years before they ever receive the correct diagnosis.

So many women go through life thinking that their pain is "just something they have to deal with." They accept exhaustion, infertility, and unbearable cycles as their reality. They don’t know that they have options. They don’t know that there are ways to manage this disease. And they certainly don’t know that their pain is not "just in their head."

The Fight for My Life

Cancer treatment is brutal. Surgery, endless doctor’s appointments—it’s a full-time job that no one signs up for. I lost my strength, and for a while, my sense of self. But what I never lost was my will to fight. Because I had already spent years fighting just to be heard, just to be believed. If I could endure that, I could endure this.

And I did. I survived.

Why Awareness Matters

If my journey has taught me anything, it’s that we have to be our own advocates. Too many women are dismissed when they talk about their pain. Too many are told it’s "all in their head." And too many, like me, don’t get the diagnosis they need until it’s too late.

Endometriosis Awareness Month isn’t just about talking—it’s about demanding change. We need better education for doctors. We need research. We need young girls to know that if their pain is interfering with their life, it’s not normal. We need women to know that pushing for answers could save their lives.

My Message to You

If you’re struggling with pain that no one seems to take seriously, don’t stop fighting. If your doctor dismisses you, find another one. If you feel like something is wrong in your body, trust yourself. No one knows your body better than you do.

Endometriosis changed my life. Cancer changed it even more. But what I refuse to let change is my voice. I will keep talking, keep raising awareness, and keep fighting for those who are still searching for answers. Because no one should have to suffer in silence.

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Let’s make it count. Be sure you are keeping up with your annual exams.

Thank you for allowing me to be vulnerable. I hope that you enjoy the read.

Until next time.

Coach Shonda

F3WomenEmpowerment.com.