DADADEL
Doctors give a 20-year-old woman a second chance at life by surgically removing a 104-pound ovarian tumor that held 46 liters of fluid, potentially growing since her first ovulation.
At each appointment, Allison’s concerns were brushed off by doctors who attributed them solely to her weight.
Allison Fisher’s stomach protruded noticeably from the fifth grade onwards, leading strangers to mistakenly ask if she was pregnant. Despite her various health issues, doctors consistently advised her to lose weight. This resulted in Allison avoiding medical visits whenever possible, even during a year-long period in 2020.
“I let myself believe that if I ignored it, it would go away. I was scared. I was just really scared,” Fisher continued.
Inspired by her mother’s cancer journey in 2021, she resolved not to neglect her health any longer. She yearned to care for her mom, not burden her. However, her abdomen had become rigid, hindering movement and limiting her ability to stand for more than five minutes.
She said: “I felt like I was pregnant with 10 kids. I couldn’t lay on my stomach. It felt like all my organs were being crushed.”
Allison sought medical help in November 2022 as the mass began affecting her breathing.
Despite her desperate attempts to alleviate the excruciating pain with medications, she vividly remembers the agony. Dr. Martin Martino, a gynecologic oncology surgeon at Ascension St. Vincent’s, immediately sensed that something was amiss upon laying eyes on her.
A 104-pound tumor on her right ovary, along with a 12-pound mass on her left ovary, was discovered through CT scans. The left ovary had twisted around itself three times. Upon receiving the results of a massive 50 cm by 50 cm ovarian tumor, tears of joy streamed down her face.
As she regained consciousness after the surgery, her heartfelt words were, “Thank you so much; you saved my life!”
Allison’s weight caused her to face numerous challenges throughout her school years, leading her to live as a recluse. However, she has now emerged with a newfound determination and exciting plans for the future. “I feel so independent now, I can wear clothes, I can see my feet, I can just exist like a person,” said her.
Allison offered advice to those hesitant about seeking medical help, “I want other people to know that if they’re scared of going to the doctors, you know your body best, nobody can tell you otherwise, and you just need to push for answers.”
