My name is Julia King, I am 27 years old and this is my story.
I had always struggled with infertility, and was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in 2016. I started fertility medication in 2024 and in November 2024 I found out I was expecting. The whole pregnancy went great. August 2025 I went in for a scheduled induction and after 24 hours with no dilation progress and babies heart rate dropping we opted to go back for a c-section. During the time I was open, the doctor noticed abnormal nodules on my uterus and omentum so had taken a sample and sent it for biopsy.
We had a beautiful healthy 19” 7lb 3oz little boy. Once I was transferred I was told about it and they let me know it may or may not be cancer. I’ll never forget that phone call a week later from my OB telling me to bring someone with me to my one week checkup on August 11, 2025.
I walked into that appointment and knew when she gave me the tissues “I’m so sorry, it came back as cancer”. She explained it looked more like low-grade but couldn’t stage it and sent a referral for me to see a GYN ONC at UAB Medicine. Dr. Straughn got me in immediately and I had a debulking/full hysterectomy five weeks after my c-section.
I’ll never forget going through postpartum depression and dealing with the news I never thought I’d hear. It was right before my 27th birthday baby. I had a newborn. I was scared. On September 8, 2025 my doctor told me we got it all and I was staged with LGSOC 3B.
We opted for letrozole only as I had a newborn and my body had just been through two major surgeries. As of today, March 15, 2026, I have no new or metastatic spread. I have nodules on my peritoneum but they are stable and my miracle boy is seven months old. Since diagnosis I definitely have my days, but it has changed so much for me. Every day I cherish more, I smile more and I pray every day they will find a cure. This little boy had saved my life or it would have never been found. He’s been by me every step of the way and slept many nights in the hospital with me
We are grateful to Julia for sharing her experience with low-grade serous ovarian cancer and for helping us raise awareness. If you would like to share your story too, find out more here.
