Team:  Our sister Julie Koester Larson was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer over 2 years ago.  We want to raise awareness of this cancer, the need for earlier screening for it and raise funds for ovarian cancer treatment research.

From Julie:  Today I feel better than I have for over 5 years.. Today I am so incredibly GRATEFUL for my Onchology Team at Minnesota Onchology Maple Grove, GRATEFUL for my friends and family who have been present to listen, hold my hand and find ways to laugh and find joy, GRATEFUL for my amazing co-workers/fellow Realtors who went out of their way to physically and financially support me AND so very GRATEFUL for each and every day I get to be here with you all. 

April of 2024 I had been dealing with a deep chest cold for a few weeks and decided to go to urgent care when I ocasionally became short of breath. At my initial visit, the imaging and blood & urine tests showed a few concerns. Fluid was accumualting in the lower plueral area of my right lung, a cracked rib and a bacterial infection. I started antibiotics and the doctor order an ultrasound of the upper right abdominal area which was inconclusive, then a CT of that area which was stil inconclusive. The fluid accumulation continued to increase and after 3 weeks of testing a fluid removal process was scheduled. Two days after 1.65 liters of fluid was removed from the lower area of my right lung, I developed a fever and went to the emergency room. The Emergency room doctor ordered a full abdominal scan which is when they located a 9cm mass on my right ovary, the size of a large grapefruit or small melon they said..   days later ( May 21) I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian Cancer..  Questions I asked:  How did I have this size of a mass and not feel it?  How was my body filling with fluid and I could still breath.. Our bodies have ways of taking care of itself and fighting to heal. My left lung had primarily taken over my breathing, it was not until right before the fluid removal started that I realized how bad it was. For years I just thought I was getting out of shape as I aged. I had questioned the fact that I was so incredibly tired all the time, why I had gained weight or had abdominal pressure on occasion.. The doctors kept saying it was probably perimenopause. Because at 56 years old I was not showing any other signs of menopause. I was healthy in all the other ways and not a high risk person.

What I know now.. Ovarian cancer is incredibly silent.. meaning little to no symptoms until its further along. All of the mild symptoms I dealt with for years, that at my age were treated as possible perimenopause are exactly how Ovarian Cancer can present itself. 

I was able to advocate for myself and start treatment quickly and because of that I am here today. Today I want to create awareness for everyone and advocate for those who don't have the ability to do it for themselves.

Please support this effort to create awareness, to make earlier testing possible and fight for others.