A medical enigma can occur to anyone, anytime – and when it does, it usually leads to various stages of shock, disbelief, and, if lucky, a resolution. For Keely Favell, she never expected it would happen to her. One look at this young woman, and nobody would believe she’d have any medical problem – she was still in her twenties, after all.

Throughout her life, Keely has always been in the pinkest of health. But, when she noticed an unusual change in her body, it left her baffled. She felt helpless and soon went into theorizing about what the cause could be. No one could have prepared for what lay ahead.

 

How It All Started

Born and raised in Swansea, Wales, Keely was just a regular woman who enjoyed her youth. Like any other person, she loved to eat! So, when she started to gain extra pounds sometime in 2014, she didn’t think much of it – until she wound up looking knocked up.

Keely did admit she was never a slim person, to begin with, yet she couldn’t help but worry about her burgeoning stomach. It came to a point where she assumed she might be pregnant. To confirm her suspicions, Keely took multiple tests that came out negative. The results made her more anxious since she didn’t know what was wrong with her. 

 

Trying to Keep A Fit Figure

It became quite a challenge to stay in shape as no matter what Keely did, she couldn’t keep her weight down. Despite the regular gym sessions and healthy food choices, Keely was growing heavier by the minute, and it started to affect her emotionally.

Her confidence was on the rocks, too, especially with a company event happening very soon. Keely wanted to feel excited as she lived for moments like this, but she felt extra conscious about her appearance and thought people might start asking questions, more so when the dress she picked highlighted her figure!

 

Getting Out of Hand

Day by day, Keely forced herself to workout and stuck to a diet in hopes of losing some belly fat but to no avail. It wasn’t like she didn’t do anything to correct it – it’s just that nothing was working at all! What’s terrible about it was how all the weight seemed to find their way right into her abdomen.

Frustrated, Keely couldn’t ignore the way her reflection looked in the mirror anymore. She observed that her tummy felt odd and swollen; it was high time to have her condition checked!

 

What Could It Be?

Despite her circumstance, Keely still had a bit of denial in her and continued with her usual regimen. But she couldn’t shake off how her stomach was becoming tender to the touch. Keely did her best to be optimistic but soon realized that it wasn’t enough, nor would it make her better.

Astonishingly, she ballooned to a size 8, and still, that didn’t convince her to go to a doctor, which was ironic since it turned out her dad was one! Somehow at the back of Keely’s mind, she thought there might be a little blessing coming her way – but boy was she in for something much more interesting.

 

Was Keely Expecting?

Keely thought long and hard about all her symptoms – when it started and how it felt. In the end, she decided it must be pregnancy. It all made sense – she had a loving boyfriend named Jamie Gibbons, and the couple have been through thick and thin for ten years.

Although having a little one at that time wasn’t something they had in mind, they’d have to figure out what to do just in case Keely was indeed pregnant. As they say, no one is really prepared for parenthood, and so the duo surmised they have to get answers pronto!

 

Some Anxiety While Taking the Test

The young lovers purchased several home pregnancy test kits and set aside a day where they could do it together. Young as they were, they knew they had to stick together no matter what happens. Finally, Keely took the PT, and the result was shockingly negative.

It was a confusing moment for Keely and Jamie, so they opened another kit for good measure – surely this time, the result would be positive, right? However, it showed the same outcome! The news alarmed the twosome as it would mean Keely’s situation might be something more severe, even a miscarriage; a doctor’s appointment was their only option now.

 

Hoping for Answers

After careful consideration, Keely and Jamie concurred that they needed to visit a physician to rule out any other disease. Unfortunately, they went back to square one after the doctor informed them that Keely’s condition was merely weight gain. If a medical professional couldn’t give them answers, then who could?

It was clear that what was happening to Keely was far from ordinary – she did everything by the book and lived as healthily as possible. Much as she wanted to know her diagnosis, Keely was already on a dead-end.

 

There’s Still No Diagnosis

Keely didn’t know who she could trust since she had no answers to hold on to. She still had a leftover feeling that she could be pregnant, and the doctor was just wrong about her. Of course, she understood that physicians knew better than her, yet she couldn’t avoid speculating.

Some of Keely’s symptoms coincided with pregnancy, mainly her protruding stomach. She realized that maybe everything would go away once the ‘baby’ arrived, but she went past the standard gestational period, and it continued to grow for years. But one fateful day at work, she suddenly felt so sick – what was happening to her?

 

A Fainting Episode at Work

One could only imagine how difficult it must have been for Keely to battle an illness without knowing what it was. On top of being worried about herself, she still had to work! Keely’s body eventually surrendered when she felt a sharp pain in her stomach and passed out – thankfully, her workmates were there to help.

It had to happen eventually, it was just pitiful that the fainting spell occurred at the office. When Keely met up with a doctor for a checkup, she was stunned when he said the cause was most likely due to stress from work and nothing more.

 

It Can’t Just Be Stress

The doctor rambled on about how Keely shouldn’t worry about anything since her blackout wasn’t a ‘serious’ matter, and that rest would be enough to avoid it from recurring. Once again, he reiterated that Keely wasn’t pregnant and that it was just baby fat!

Sadly, even the constant reassurance from the physician couldn’t protect her from the daily torment of being questioned why her belly was getting bigger. Friends, family, and even strangers immediately assumed she was due to deliver anytime soon – Keely didn’t know how to react nor to respond.

 

Was There A Baby on the Way?

When someone asked Keely questions about her ‘pregnancy,’ she would directly answer that she wasn’t expecting and just gained a couple of pounds. One couldn’t really blame the people, though, since she certainly looked the part – but Keely started to get annoyed about her life.

Even if she was truly pregnant, she felt people shouldn’t ask personal questions like that. The entire scenario became a routine for Keely that she began to think maybe it wasn’t a fake diagnosis. In a way, it was the only thing she had since she was clueless about her body’s real status.

 

Her Clothes Didn’t Fit Anymore

Any stranger who saw Keely down the street would say she was about to give birth, considering how huge her tummy was getting. Walking became a strenuous activity as she waddled like a duck due to her increased body mass – she needed new clothes too since nothing seemed to fit anymore.

Clothes shopping wasn’t as fun as it used to be since the only section that would complement Keely’s rounded figure was maternity wear! In December 2016, her physique remained as is except for her stomach, which grew disturbingly enormous.

 

Drastic Measures Needed to Be Taken

Things had taken a turn for the worse as Keely continued to lose consciousness at work. Her body was reacting negatively to whatever was going on inside, and breathing became such a chore. As such, she discerned that perhaps a second opinion would help sort out her problems.

Her colleagues felt the same way and encouraged Keely to consult a specialist instead of a regular doctor. Everyone wondered why she didn’t do so sooner – didn’t she care about her health? Little did they know, Keely was only doing that since no one could tell her the real deal.

 

It Could Be Something Else

Keely continued to follow a lifestyle any health guru would be proud of amidst all her bodily problems, and her peers could see she was in denial. It wasn’t until she fainted for the fourth time that she begrudgingly agreed to seek medical advice from a specialist.

One would hope that this time there would be answers, yet in came another shocking potential cause – her acne medication. Keely was incredibly frustrated at this point as she deduced the doctors weren’t making any effort to research her condition; enough was enough!

 

The Doctors Gave It Another Shot

Unbeknownst to the physicians, Keely hasn’t taken her acne medication for a while now, so she argued it couldn’t be the reason for her fatigue and blackouts. Stuck on options, the doctor offered to do a blood test to check for other causes and truly know once and for all if she was with child.

Interestingly, he also ordered to have Keely undergo an ultrasound. Her size made it hard for her to move and breathe – true enough, it was something she should have done the minute her stomach began to bulge uncontrollably. 

 

The Much-Awaited Truth

Knowing the ultrasound images were critical at this point, Keely’s doctor instructed the ultrasound specialist to expedite her results. It was the moment of truth for Keely; she fervently kept her fingers crossed and hoped for the answer that has eluded her for years.

As Keely lay on the table, the technician performed the procedure; she wondered if this was finally the light at the end of the tunnel for her ordeal. But she grew suspicious when the man reacted unusually as the ultrasound progressed – what was wrong with her?

 

What’s Happening to Keely’s Stomach?

The results were in, and Keely waited in anticipation as the doctor reviewed her scans. But out of the blue, he recommended seeking another specialist’s opinion on the result – Keely’s mind reeled from this statement. If her physician wanted someone else to check her, then she must be in a much serious case than she thought.

Based on the images, Keely was never pregnant despite her large stomach. Something else caused her to faint all the time. It wasn’t confirmed yet, she suffered from an illness that could put her life at risk.

 

She Needed to Undergo a CT Scan

After everything that has happened, Keely received the real information about her belly’s growth. The abnormality was either a cyst or a tumor, and it wasn’t on her stomach but on her uterus. Since this was entirely new to Keely, she was unsure about what the next steps would be.

Everything was pieced together like a puzzle. This time, the medical practitioners requested an additional test for Keely as a CT scan would provide a more precise image inside her body. Tension surrounded the room as she and Jamie, her boyfriend, waited for the result.

 

It was An Ovarian Lump

It’s been years since Kelly started to feel different about herself, and now she could somehow rest emotionally as she seemingly had a diagnosis. Her ‘baby bump’ turned out to be a giant ovarian cyst – it wasn’t weight gain nor pregnancy after all!

The gargantuan lump was already sized at 24 centimeters, and it looked as icky as it must have felt since it was affixed to her stomach. All this time, it was the reason behind why she put on weight! However, Keely needed surgery fast as it might rupture any minute.

 

What is a Cyst?

Not many folks are experts in the medical field, so even if cysts are quite common, information about it would still be a foreign concept. Simply put, a cyst can be likened to a plastic bag filled with fluid – the only difference was it had a life of its own.

More often than not, a cyst could be harmless, depending on its location and size. But Keely’s cyst was in her ovary, and it was humongous! Should the lump occlude a main artery and compromise her blood circulation, Keely would be in big trouble, largely if it would burst!

 

Treatment Options for Keely

A month after she learned about her diagnosis, Keely turned to another doctor who discussed treatment options. Like those who previously met her, the physician was appalled at the sheer size of the cyst. Keely took note of their priceless reactions every time – they were all unforgettable!

The specialist validated that her ovarian cyst was one for the books and also admitted that cases like hers didn’t come as often. Perhaps, her situation would be a highlight in anyone’s medical career and hopefully serve as a way to treat others with a similar condition.

 

Information Overload

One of the many things the specialist spoke to Keely about was how there might be more than one cyst inside her body. From the girth alone, it was also possible that the lumps were connected to some parts of her organs, like the intestine, liver, or stomach.

Much to Keely’s dismay, it seemed like surgery was a reasonable option for her. Her symptoms were all over the place, and it was apparent that the sole cause for everything was the cyst. What’s more, the damage to her body’s internal structure wasn’t entirely determined yet, so it was crucial to address it soon.

 

A Positive Prognosis

Now that surgery was soon to be scheduled, Keely’s treatment plan was on full speed ahead. Part of the main reason it had to be done quickly was the cyst’s size and its threat not only physically but also to Keely’s mental state.

Sadly, the surgeons would need to excise one of her ovaries since it was likely the sac had impaired it. To make matters worse, Keely might require tons of recovery time at the hospital – it all depended on how it would look once they opened her up and inspected the actual situation.

 

She Realized She Needed a Support System

Keely agonized over the decision whether she should inform her family about her upcoming procedure. Since her first symptom appeared, Keely never wanted to worry them and took matters into her own hands, more so since her mother was in Australia.

But she wasn’t ready to go through this surgery alone, despite having her boyfriend beside her. Keely felt that anything could go wrong inside the operating room, and she might regret not seeing her family while she was still able to – just in case, it would be her last chance. 

 

The Surgery is Booked

Luck began to take Keely’s corner as her mom immediately flew to her side with no questions asked. Her father couldn’t go with her, but the doting dad always made his presence felt and known amidst the distance. With her family on board with her medical journey, Keely knew she was more than prepared to conquer this obstacle.

It won’t be too long till all this would be over, especially since her operation was scheduled within a few weeks. And Keely’s cyst has turned into a full-blown monster and added five more inches to its size!

 

Keely’s Big Day

Another doctor joined Keely’s case, this time, an obstetrician who specialized in high-risk patients. After she checked Keely, he declared they should operate at once based on the increased cyst size since the last consultation.

Keely was so frightened and hoped for the best – she was told her incision site would be long and up to her pelvic bone! On the morning of the procedure, nurses kindly assisted throughout the entire process, from wearing her gown to wheeling her to the operating room. She felt relaxed until a needle came into the scene!

 

Anxiety Kicking In

The sight of needles could scare even the bravest of men, and Keely was no different. As soon as she realized she would be poked and prodded by a needle, she had an anxiety episode inside the OR. The medical staff took turns and handled Keely to ensure the medication was administered – this was it!

After much struggle, the surgery started and was expected to finish in an hour. Keely’s parents waited eagerly, but five hours went by, and still, there was no word about her. Worried, they half expected she wouldn’t make it through.

 

The Cyst is Finally Out!

It was a long and winding journey, but the end of Keely’s pain was near – the doctors were glad to announce that the surgery was a success, and they had gotten the entire mass out. She felt relieved that her life will soon be back to how it was – everything was worth it.

Keely couldn’t wait to see her family after the grueling trauma she went through. Unexpectedly, the surgery took a while, and her family must be worried sick. Good thing, her next stop was the recovery room as she couldn’t wait to be out of there!

 

Instant Hospital Celebs

It was evident from the very beginning that the cyst was colossal, so naturally, the medical community was curious about it. After it was removed, the pathologists collected the specimen and weighed it. One would never guess how heavy it was – it was an astonishing 60 pounds!

When Keely woke up, everyone showed several photos of her pseudo baby, and she freaked out at the sight of it. On the other hand, she was overjoyed that it could no longer affect her negatively like before – Keely felt like a new person who received a second chance at life.

 

A Svelte Post-Op Body

Prior to her life-saving operation, even the simplest things like walking bothered Keely. She couldn’t get around as much, and when she did, Keely always ended up out of breath! The entire experience taught her never to take anything for granted again since life could give the biggest hurdles, most of which would test one’s character.

Now that it’s gone, she could resume wearing her old clothes and be proud of how she looked! It was as if a separate person who used to tortured her was pulled out – and now she was free.

 

Meet Mr. Whippy

Some people grow attached to things even if it had brought pain into their lives; in Keely’s case, it was her cyst. She couldn’t stop thinking about it even after having her surgery – the image was just stuck in her mind, mainly since it looked like a swirly scoop of ice cream! For humor’s sake, Keely thought it would be amusing to name the cyst ‘Mr. Whippy.’

Mr. Whippy made Keely one of the most memorable patients who graced the halls of that hospital. After all, it’s uncommon to have a woman who seemingly ‘gave birth’ to a sixty-pound cyst!

  

Out of the Hospital

Going through a major surgery would put anyone’s body in severe distress, but thankfully, Keely bounced back in no time. Youth was a significant factor in her recovery, and she was soon discharged from the hospital in less than a week since the procedure.

Not only that, but Keely also had a unique post-operative souvenir – a 30-centimeter scar from her chest down to her pelvic bone! She may have battle scars and lost one of her ovaries, but Keely was optimistic about getting back on track and picking up the life she left.

 

Feeling Beautiful

Keely’s body was far from perfect, but she loved it anyway. When her abdomen got swollen, she never thought she’d feel beautiful again! That has changed since her cyst was removed, and she slowly started to feel normal. Due to the expanded skin, Keely developed stretch marks, but she wholeheartedly accepted this over having the cyst inside!

The entire Favell clan was delighted to have Keely back in their lives – her whole aura has changed, and she almost appeared like her old self minus the extra weight of the cyst, of course.

 

Glad It Was All Over

The future was looking bright and hopeful as Keely traversed her way into a full recovery. Physically, she has regained her full strength and did her best to return to her typical routine day by day – this was her opportunity to make the most of her brand-new life.

With the help and support of her parents and siblings, Keely would recuperate without any hitches. Additionally, her colleagues and close friends were of excellent service too! She couldn’t believe how blessed she was to have such a great support system at her disposal!

 

One Year Later – New Hope

It has been a year since Keely’s surgery, and a lot has happened since then. With her confidence restored, she looks and feels better than ever before. Keely wants to start her own family sometime soon, especially since the surgeon told her she can still get pregnant if she wanted to – she couldn’t be more grateful for her talented surgeon and crew.

With her new outlook in life, Keely is in a buoyant mood as she looks forward to sharing her miraculous story with others. Perhaps, her testimony would inspire them that life has a funny way of turning things around even when things seem bleak if they just keep believing!