Hi everyone, I’m Abbie, I’m 28 and I’ve recently been diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer called Mucinous Adenocarcinoma (a big medical word I still can’t seem to pronounce!) This type of ovarian cancer is becoming more common in younger women and I feel it is important to raise the awareness of it along with other forms of ovarian cancers. 
My story started 4 years ago. I had a very large ovarian cyst removed during my travels in Australia, which had likely been growing for a number of years. Back then I didn’t know ovarian cysts were even a thing! I always thought I just had a bit of a “pot belly” shape. Quickly the cyst and ovary was removed. I was told it was a borderline tumour, so I needed to have check ups every 6 to 12 months. 4 years had passed and I began to have pelvic pains and swelling once again. Getting an appointment during the global pandemic wasn’t easy but when I was seen unfortunately another large cyst had grown. This time more complex. 
The day after discussing the need for another operation to remove my other ovary with the health care team, the cyst burst. An emergency operation was needed to remove it and fast! The biopsy results came back and there it was, the dreaded C word. Luckily, the cancer hadn’t spread to any other tissues and so it was removed during the operation. However, because the cyst burst, cancerous cells may have escaped to other areas of my abdomen and so I will be receiving chemotherapy treatment to catch the little bastards! 
So that’s where I am up to... Although this whole ordeal has been scary and emotional, I feel lucky that it was caught early. Many women with ovarian cancer are not diagnosed until a much later stage. This is why awareness is so important! Female health issues can be easily overlooked and many of us don’t seek the help we need as we put it down to other things - growing pains, period pains, I ate something too heavy, you name it, the excuse has been used! So girls, if you feel like something isn’t quite right, seek help, don’t down play it and keep going until you get answers. You know your body better than anyone. 
Here’s where the fun part comes in. With the help of Abbie’s Athletes we are aiming to raise money for Velindre Cancer Centre where I will be receiving my treatment. It’s a pledge of an exercise challenge to complete throughout the month of March and all funds raised will go to Velindre. Anyone can join, so if you fancy getting involved with the already amazing group of people pledging their challenges then just drop a message to one of them, or me.
A final point I would like to make is that talking to my friends and family throughout this has given me the support I have needed to stay strong, without them I wouldn’t be.
So, let’s kick cancers arse and raise some serious funds for hospital that will help me do it!