Keely Favell is just an average girl in her twenties. Well, you might not consider her situation average when you hear what happened to her. Things changed for her when something unbelievable began to grow inside of her body! Even doctors could not figure out what was going on. What could it be?
Her Pregnancy Revealed Something Out Of The Ordinary
The Beginning
Her belly grew so quickly and so much that she thought she was pregnant. However, it was not the case. All of the pregnancy tests she took came out negative. Despite this, doctors just dismissed her concerns.
The Beginning
Her Story
Favell is a 28-year-old woman from Swansea, Wales. In 2014, she started to gain some weight. In only a couple of years, it was easy to mistake her for a very pregnant woman. According to her, she was never too skinny. However, she soon developed a stomach like this.
Her Story
Healthy Lifestyle
She had a healthy lifestyle and kept an eye on her figure. She liked her curves and went to the gym often. This was the reason she got so infuriated with her weight gain. Sadly, the mystery remained unresolved for the longest time.
Say Hi To Keely
Not As It Seems
Around that time, she thought that her biggest issue would be going to the Christmas party at work. She could not help but feel insecure in her clothes. Keely was frustrated at what was going on.
Not As It Seems
Too Fast To Keep Up With
She tried just about everything she could, but it would not stop growing! She explained, “I was exercising and eating healthily but I was slowly getting bigger. There’s nothing worse than keeping a healthy lifestyle but still gaining an excessive amount of weight.”
Too Fast To Keep Up With
What Was Going On?
“It crept up so slowly [that] I didn’t know anything was wrong – I thought I was putting on timber,” she went on. Even though she exercised and watched what she ate, she continued to put on more pounds!
What Was Going On?
Not Just Growing
At that point, there was no way she could ignore the weight she was gaining. She started to notice that it all went to her stomach. It did not feel like normal weight gain either. What would she do next?
Not Just Growing
Staying Hopeful
Her stomach was beginning to feel uncomfortable to touch. She thought that the hardness was going to go away in due time. Although she remained positive, things did not go the way she thought it would.
Staying Hopeful
There’s Only One Explanation
Her dress size kept increasing rapidly. Soon enough, she could only fit into size eight. Despite this, she felt scared to visit a doctor. Her father was a doctor, and this fact made her feel a little apprehensive.
There’s Only One Explanation
Her Gut Feeling
She had no idea that there were bigger things for her to worry about. At the time, Keely had only one thing in mind. At any rate, she did not want to believe it. What was the explanation she came up with?
Her Gut Feeling
With Child
When you consider what she was going through, the only thing that Keely had in mind was pregnancy. Her stomach kept growing, and her weight kept increasing. She always felt tired. On top of this, she was in a serious relationship as well.
With Child
Unplanned Pregnancy
After you take these things into account, it is easy to see why she thought she was pregnant. It made both her and her partner nervous. They did not plan to have a baby at all. Were they on the right track?
Unplanned Pregnancy
Soon To Be Parents
Keely and Jamie Gibbons had already been together for a decade. It was not too crazy to think that she had a baby on the way. Even though they were not ready for this, they at least had to check.
Soon To Be Parents
The Blue Stripe
The two of them were shocked to see that the pregnancy test came back negative. They thought that the test must have been wrong, so she took another one right away. It was also negative!
The Blue Strip
Getting Really Worried
They were both surprised. It was high time to pay a visit to the doctor because they were out of ideas. Could she be ill? Did she suffer a miscarriage already? Many things were going through her mind.
Getting Really Worried
Facing Her Fears
Keely did not have any other options and decided to go see a professional at last. Sadly, she did not get the answer she hoped for. The doctor only told her that she was “merely fat.” What was a girl to do?
Facing Her Fears
Following Her Instincts
While the doctor dismissed her concerns, Keely knew that there was something wrong going on. Still, she ignored it as she did not want to change her lifestyle. Can you imagine how confused she was?
Following Her Instincts
Not Trustworthy
She could not help but wonder why she was not pregnant. All signs seemed to point to pregnancy, so she was shocked. She did not trust what the doctor told her. However, they should know better than her since they were trained professionals… Right?
Not Trustworthy
No Solution
If she were indeed pregnant, the problem should disappear after she gave birth. However, her belly only kept growing for two years overall. Each month, her stomach just got bigger and bigger until tragedy struck at her workplace.
No Solution
She Collapsed
It was just another day at work, or so she thought. All of a sudden, she felt nauseous and lightheaded. After this, Keely collapsed. When she came to her senses, her coworkers told her that she had fainted.
She Collapsed
A Difficult Period
After that, she realized that she must see a doctor as soon as possible. “It was a tough period in work and when I passed out my GP put it down to stress,” Keely said. She did not have any other explanation and wanted to live her life without any worries.
A Difficult Period
All From Stress?
Could it be that she passed out just because she was too stressed out? She was not convinced that this was the case. Still, her doctor told her that nothing serious was going on. She was clearly not pregnant.
All From Stress?
Not What It Appears
There was no way for her to avoid questions about her “pregnancy.” Everyone could see that her belly kept growing. No one could ignore such a thing, so she needed to explain herself again and again.
No End In Sight
Whenever she was asked about it, she would only give them the same response: “The doctors say I am just overweight.” Even though it was annoying for her, she could not see a way out of her situation.
No End In Sight
Due Date
She has talked about the number of people asking her for the due date of the baby. After some time, she would even lie to avoid embarrassing them. She only told the others she was overweight. She wanted to believe that this was the case.
Due Date
Changing Appearance
Keely waddled everywhere with that giant belly of hers. She began to get embarrassed about the way she looked as well. On top of this, she had no choice but to buy maternity clothes for her body size!
Changing Appearance
Maternity Clothes
“I remember trying to shop for clothes in December 2016 and nothing would fit. I was skin and bone on top, then this massive lump and normal legs. The only thing that was going to fit was maternity wear.”
Maternity Clothes
Needs Help
She was getting stubborn about looking for help. She suffered more blackouts at work. On top of this, she found it hard to breathe. It was only when it interfered with her lifestyle that she looked for help.
Needs Help
Seeking Assistance
Even this would not have happened had it not been for the insistence of her coworkers. A lot of people wanted her to look after herself some more. Something was wrong, so why did she refuse to get help?
Seeking Assistance
A New Explanation
Keely just wanted to live her life and avoid her situation. However, she decided that it was too much when she collapsed four times! The doctor then told her that she was exhausted because of her acne medication. However, she was still not convinced.
A New Explanation
Time To Stand Up
It felt like the medical professionals were not taking her situation or symptoms seriously. They would only blame other things in her life for what was going on. At last, she decided to put her foot down.
Time To Stand Up
Enough Was Enough
She stopped taking her acne medication for a few months in the past and knew this did not explain things. She went to a second doctor and was told she must be pregnant. However, his blood tests all came back negative as well.
Enough Was Enough
Getting To The Bottom Of It
Her GP told her that the only viable explanation would be pregnancy. Yes, this was the conclusion even after the blood test results. They ordered another ultrasound. Keep in mind that by then, Keely was having difficulty breathing and even walking.
Getting To The Bottom Of It
The Truth At Last
This doctor immediately requested to see if she was pregnant. Keely must have been so frustrated! How long was it going to take to figure it all out? However, she soon got some news that she did not expect at all.
The Truth At Last
Terrified
Keely watched her doctor as they performed the ultrasound. After seeing the look on the doctor’s face, she knew that something was not right. Her doctor was clearly shocked by the results on the screen.
Terrified
Consoling Keely
The doctor got a consultant, which made Keely feel paralyzed with fear. Jamie, her boyfriend, tried to stop her from panicking, but she could not help but worry. What did the doctor find in her stomach?
Consoling Keely
Not Pregnant
The ultrasound screen came up blank, so they knew that she was not pregnant. Despite this, something strange was happening inside of her. The only thing they could tell was that she was in danger.
Not Pregnant
Shocking News
There were lots of possibilities. It could be a tumor or a cyst. At any rate, they needed a CT to figure it all out. Keely, of course, felt shocked and worried about the situation. What was happening with her body?
Shocking News
Emergency CT
The blank ultrasound then led to a request for a CT scan. What they found out astonished them all. The doctors got ready to inform her of their news. Keely and Jamie sat there and held hands as they waited.
Emergency CT
Definitely Not Pregnant
They knew for sure that she was not pregnant. So why did her belly get this big? It was the result of a big ovarian mass! At that point, Keely could feel her entire world crash down. The doctor still could not confirm what, exactly, was going on.
Definitely Not Pregnant
To The Skin
This was not a regular cyst. No, it was attached to her stomach and 24 cm thick. She finally knew why she was gaining so much weight, but she was still in danger. They had to do something and fast.
To The Skin
What Exactly Is An Ovarian Cyst?
A cyst is basically a fluid-filled sac that sometimes develops on the ovary. They are quite common and can be harmless. Many of these things disappear without doing anything. This was not true for Keely.
What Exactly Is An Ovarian Cyst?
Oddly Large
The only times a cyst will interfere with your life would be when it blocks the blood supply to your ovaries, ruptures, or is very big. As you can see, the last one was true for Keely. It was extremely huge!
Oddly Large
Exploring Her Options
A month after this, Keely visited a specialist to see what options she could take to deal with this. There was no way she could forget the face of the consultant. He was totally shocked by what he saw.
Exploring Her Options
Complete Shock
Even though he was calm as he told her she had a huge ovarian mass, she saw the truth in his face. He was in total shock. It seems like no one, not even a specialist, expected a cyst to be this huge.
Complete Shock
That’s Not All
The doctor informed her that there might be multiple cysts. They might also be attached to her internal organs. Keely could not believe it but knew that there was nothing else for her to do but get surgery.
That’s Not All
The Effects
Even though she already ruled out other explanations, they were still unclear about how the cyst would affect her body. She got side effects, and not a single one of them had anything to do with pregnancy.
The Effects
You’re Fine
Even though the doctor did not know how big or what the cyst was, he knew that they had to do something about it. He could not believe that the other doctors simply told Keely, “You’re fine.”
You’re Fine
One Thing For Certain
One thing the doctor knew was that she was going to lose one of her ovaries. On top of that, she might have to stay in the hospital for an extended period of time. She felt like she was giving her life away.
One Thing For Certain
Support
Her mother resides in Australia, so she tried to keep things quiet. She did not want to worry her mom on the other side of the globe. But after solving the mystery, she knew it was time to let her family know.
Support
All Alone
At that point, it was all getting too much for Keely to go through it on her own. She called her sisters and mother to help her get through it. She had been alone for most of this journey, but enough was enough.
All Alone
Ready To Go
Two days later, her mother finally arrived. Sadly, her dad needed to stay in Australia. Still, he was just one phone call away despite the huge time difference. Keely had a lot of support by the time the dreaded day arrived.
Ready To Go
Going Under
The doctor told Keely that she should be ready for surgery in only 4 weeks. In no time at all, it was time for her to go through the operation. In the span of time from the initial consultation to the surgery, her belly grew five more inches!
Going Under
Emergency Surgery
Keely was referred to a high-risk obstetrics consultant who said that she had to go through surgery. He planned to cut her open from the chest bone all the way to her pelvic bone, not unlike a C-section. We were sure she was not comforted when she heard this!
Emergency Surgery
March 9th, 2017
At last, it was time for the surgery. Keely was given a pair of socks and a surgery gown. After putting them on, a nurse came in to take her to the operation room. She was paralyzed because she knew that they were going to stab a huge needle into her body any minute now.
March 9th, 2017
Extra Help
Keely felt so uneasy and uncomfortable that two nurses had to hold her down. She would not stop fidgeting, and they had to put that needle into her body. She said she felt like she was about to die.
And The Wait Continues
And The Wait Continues
They said that it should take an hour, give or take. In the end, they spent five hours on the operation! The family stayed patient as they waited for news. Luckily, the doctors were able to remove the cyst.
And The Wait Continues
Back To Normal
The cyst was huge, but its weight was the thing that blew them all away. At last, they were able to get it out of Keely’s body. She was thrilled to finally go back to her regular life once again.
Back To Normal
Minutes To Hours
She was scared but knew that it was the only way to return to her old life. While it was only meant to last 90 minutes, it took them hours to finish the surgery. Everyone waited to hear the good news.
Minutes To Hours
How Big?
Can you believe that the cyst weighed 60 pounds? Let us help you out in case you cannot figure out how heavy this is. It is equivalent to 7 babies! Keely woke up surrounded by staff members showing her photos of the thing growing in her belly all those months.
How Big?
Treated Like A Celebrity
She was confused and overwhelmed since she just woke up. “I remember still being groggy from the anesthetic as they wheeled me back to the ward and excited hospital staff was shoving photos in front of me,” Keely narrated what happened.
Treated Like A Celebrity
After Surgery
The cyst essentially accounted for a third of her body weight. It was then that she started to realize how much it impacted her life. She was unable to do things she normally did. It became a big burden for her.
After Surgery
Losing The Cyst
When she no longer carried around the extra weight, she noticed just how much easier it was to do things like walking upstairs or driving the car. Losing the cyst helped make life that more manageable.
Losing The Cyst
Nickname
Keely was in disbelief when she found out that she had been carrying around that much weight. After looking at her photos, she said, “It looked like a massive pile of ice cream so I called it Mr. Whippy!”
Nickname
Medical Mystery
The doctors could not help but be blown away by her huge cyst. It was a true medical anomaly. Keely, together with the whole medical staff, was shocked to see what was inside of her body for so long.
Medical Mystery
Back Home
Keely got to go home four days after that. She even had the support of mom and boyfriend. While she dreaded it, the result of the process made it worthwhile. She does not even remember life without the additional 60 pounds!
Back Home
Her Reminder
Keely now bears a 30-cm scar extending from the sternum all the way to her pelvis. Not long after she got the procedure, she could finally walk around more easily. She could not wait to begin a new life with all of these changes. A drawback to the surgery would be that she lost her right ovary. However, the doctors let her know that it would not affect her chances of having kids.
Her Reminder
Body Changes
Apart from the scar, her stomach is now full of stretch marks as well. These are now daily reminders of her crazy experience. No doubt, she prefers these stretch marks to the unknown lump in her belly.
Body Changes
A New Keely
Her family visited her not long after she got the surgery. They were all shocked to see how different she looked after such a thing. She was thin and essentially half the woman she was before getting the surgery. Keely felt happy that she was finally back to her old self.
A New Woman
Smooth Sailing
Keely remembers her recovery and says that it has been smooth-sailing, although there have also been hiccups along the way. According to her, her health is now in much better shape than the year before this. She means this both physically and mentally!
Smooth Sailing
Saying Thanks
She has expressed gratitude for her friends, family, and coworkers for all the help they offered her during the recovery period. Keely says that she does not think she would have been able to do this without their help. She feels lucky to have such a great support system.
Saying Thanks
Inspirational
A year ago, there was no way she would have shared the story with anyone else. She has only grown more comfortable in her own body since then. Now, she has no qualms sharing it and inspiring us all!
Inspirational
There’s Hope
Even though she had to go through such a difficult experience, Keely Favell was able to get her old life back. She has also been reassured that she can still bear children in the future even if she lost the right ovary. We bet she is happy she ended up going to that consult and surgeon!
There’s Hope