Fitness model and stage four ovarian cancer survivor shows the brutal reality of tackling the diseas

A WOMAN who overcame stage four ovarian cancer has revealed the challenges of fighting the life-threatening disease.

Cheyann Shaw, who was just 23 when she was diagnosed in 2016, has opened up in an inspiring Instagram post about the toll it took on her body.

The fitness model and former bodybuilder from Seattle revealed to her 219k followers that she "hardly recognised" hereslf when she shed a dramatic amount of weight in a short space of time after doctors  discovered a beach ball-sized tumour in her tummy in August 2016.

Captioning two pictures - one from an early stage of her ovarian cancer battle and the other from this year - she wrote: "Left- I was only 97lbs and still fighting for my life. When I was diagnosed with cancer I lost over 33lbs within weeks because of chemo and the cancer itself.

"I had lost all my weight and muscles that I worked so hard for and within a blink of an eye, I hardly recognised myself in the mirror. I had to learn to love myself even when I had a hard time looking at myself.

"Right- Taken today. 1 year and 4 months later. Honestly, I cried like a big baby when I saw these pictures next to each other. So much has changed since the picture on the left and I’m forever thankful and grateful.

"In 1 year and 4 months I have gained 15lbs back, celebrated 1 year of no evidence of disease, and I have never felt happier or more confident in my life."

The now 25-year-old made headlines two-and-a-half years ago when she posted another 'before' and 'after' picture of her at a body building competition and another of her fighting cancer having undergone a full hysterectomy as well as a five-and-a-half hour operation to remove her spleen, appendix, and part of her colon.

In the post from October 2016, she wrote: "This time last year, I was on stage competing in my first fitness show. Now I'm fighting for my life.

"The picture on the left is around the time they think my cancer started to form and we just caught it in August.

"Thankfully we have caught it in enough time that I am still able to fight and can kick Ovarian Cancers ass and be in remission one day, hopefully soon."

Since getting the ovarian cancer all-clear after a year ago, Cheyann has worked hard regaining her toned body.

She has shared her journey back to health, posting in September 2017: "Within a year my body has gone through a billion rounds of chemo, 5 surgeries, and massive changes; but each day my body fights and wins this battle.

"I love my body MORE NOW even without the muscles and with scars because to me, my body is beautiful and so is the story my scars tell. I've learned to ALWAYS love myself no matter what and so should you."

MOST READ IN FABULOUS

Yesterday, we told you how plus-sized model Elly Mayday has passed away at the age of 30 after a struggle with ovarian cancer.

We also revealed how ovarian cancer kills eleven women a day.

Symptoms can include persistent bloating, feeling full quickly, abdominal pain, needing to wee more than usual, changes in bowel movements and unexplained weight loss.

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