At just 21 years old, Destinee Zischka considered herself "happy and healthy," leading an active lifestyle in Queensland that included CrossFit classes and work as a social worker, with few health concerns. However, her life took a dramatic turn when unexplained symptoms began to surface, leading to a harrowing journey of misdiagnosis and eventual ovarian cancer discovery.
A Healthy Life Unravels
Destinee, a nursing student, initially attributed her busy schedule—balancing full-time work with the rising cost of living—as reasons for neglecting regular health check-ups. "I had no reason to believe there was anything wrong," she explained. But soon, she experienced excruciating back pain, bloating, fatigue, vomiting, and frequent bathroom trips, symptoms that progressively worsened.
Dismissal and Doubt
Doctors repeatedly dismissed her symptoms, suggesting food allergies or an eating disorder. "I honestly began to feel like I was going crazy," Destinee recalled. Even during an ultrasound, she was asked if she was pregnant, adding to her frustration. "I felt gaslit by the repeated dismissal of my symptoms," she said, questioning her own experience despite knowing something was physically wrong.
The Shocking Diagnosis
The ultrasound revealed a large 7kg tumour in her abdomen, diagnosed as ovarian cancer—a condition often associated with older women. Destinee described feeling an out-of-body experience upon diagnosis, with confusion and disbelief overshadowing initial emotions. About a year prior, she had noticed a small lump but assumed it was a full bladder, unaware that urinary frequency could be an early sign of ovarian cancer.
Worsening Symptoms and Medical Neglect
Over the following months, Destinee's symptoms intensified, including severe back pain requiring heat packs and abdominal distension that made her appear pregnant. She visited a GP but was referred to a dietitian for a presumed eating disorder, with no blood tests or abdominal examination performed. "My symptoms were largely considered to be psychological in nature," she lamented, feeling invalidated as her concerns went unaddressed.
Emergency and Rupture
As pain worsened, Destinee admitted herself to the emergency room, where an ultrasound was ordered. Initially told the mass was likely a large cyst requiring minor surgery, a CT scan later suggested cancer due to its size and rapid growth. "This was the first time I felt genuinely heard and validated," she said, after a doctor apologised for the delay in diagnosis.
Sent home to await surgery, Destinee's condition deteriorated within 24 hours, with severe anxiety and breathing difficulties. Rushed back to the emergency department, doctors discovered her tumour had ruptured, causing lung collapse. She was airlifted from the Sunshine Coast to Brisbane for emergency surgery, resulting in the removal of her right ovary and fallopian tube.
Treatment and Recovery
Due to the delayed diagnosis, the cancer had spread, necessitating six rounds of chemotherapy over four months. Destinee found the experience "extremely debilitating," particularly losing her hair and struggling with identity. "One of the hardest aspects was losing my hair. I struggled to recognise myself in the mirror," she shared, noting that mental health challenges sometimes felt more life-threatening than the cancer itself.
Through Ovarian Cancer Australia's rehabilitation program, including Teal Nurse support and services like dietetics and physiotherapy, Destinee recovered from nerve damage and muscle loss. "It was always great to talk to my Teal Nurse Katherine because she understood the complexity of what I was going through," she said.
Advocacy and Awareness
Now 25 and cancer-free, Destinee is sharing her story during Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month as part of the Black Pepper x Ovarian Cancer Australia campaign. "I hope the campaign raises greater awareness about ovarian cancer and highlights the support that Ovarian Cancer Australia provides," she stated, emphasising the importance of early detection and community support.
Reflecting on her ordeal, Destinee wishes she had advocated more for herself. "If I could go back in time, I would find a GP who truly listens," she advised, noting that as a nursing student, she now recognises standard protocols were not followed. She urges others to seek advocates and connect with support organisations.
Key Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
- Increased abdominal size or persistent bloating
- Abdominal or pelvic pain
- Feeling full after eating small amounts
- Needing to urinate often or urgently
- Unexplained weight changes, fatigue, or back pain
Destinee's story challenges the misconception that ovarian cancer only affects older women. "I want people to realise that it can impact women of any age," she asserted. "We do exist. And I'm being very loud about it. I'm not going to be quiet until people start to listen."
