When Molly Smith from New Haven, Connecticut bravely shared her harrowing journey through misdiagnosis to a later discovery of ovarian cancer on social media, her story resonated with many. Despite experiencing alarming symptoms, her initial cries for help were unfortunately overlooked.
In a compelling video posted on her account @mission.mariposa, Molly recreated her visit to the doctor where she discussed the numbness in her hands and feet, a symptom she’d been battling for two weeks. With her mother by her side, Molly hoped for some answers, but instead, she received a response she didn’t expect. The doctor dismissed the symptoms as “really weird” and suggested she might just be dehydrated, despite her consistent water intake.
Molly also shared the doctor’s speculation on possible carpal tunnel syndrome and his conclusion that nothing further needed to be done after a normal blood work review. This dismissal came even though Molly expressed how the numbness severely affected her day-to-day functions.
“Well, dehydration can get pretty serious,” Molly impersonated the doctor responding, later theorizing Molly may have carpal tunnel – a pressure on a nerve in your wrist.
The doctor reportedly reviewed Molly’s blood work as ‘normal’ from the ER visit and resolved: “I don’t think there’s really anything more that you need to do.”
Fortunately, Molly trusted her instincts and sought a second opinion which led to an ultrasound discovery of a cyst on her ovaries, initially thought benign but later confirmed as ovarian cancer.
https://www.tiktok.com/@username/video/7384829581020122398
Frustrated but resilient, Molly emphasized the difficulty of diagnosing ovarian cancer and the unacceptable nature of her concerns being dismissed simply because of her age and lack of prior medical conditions. Her perseverance led to a diagnosis while the cancer was still at stage one, a fact that might have saved her life.
After undergoing surgery in January 2023 to remove the cyst, Molly has been vocal about the importance of patient advocacy. She started a nonprofit, Mission Mariposa, to support young cancer patients and encourage them to confidently communicate with their healthcare providers.
Molly’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of advocating for oneself in medical settings. She stresses that while doctors do their best, they are not infallible and urges patients to insist on thorough investigations when their health is at stake.
If you or someone you know is struggling with similar issues, the American Cancer Society is available for support at 1-800-227-2345 or through their live chat feature, offering assistance 24/7.