Ava Bearden, 17, is on top of the world. A rising senior at Decatur High School, Ava is set to play softball for Rhodes College upon graduation. But her high school career wasn’t always easy.
In 2023, she began feeling extreme pain and discomfort in her abdomen.
“Ava has a high pain tolerance, so I knew something was really wrong when she called me from school, “said Deana Bearden, Ava’s mother.
Upon visiting her pediatrician, it was discovered through an MRI that Ava had two masses on her ovaries, with one being the size of a grapefruit. After further testing, the doctors were concerned that the masses may be cancerous and recommended an aggressive surgical approach that could include a full hysterectomy.
“My heart dropped. She was only sixteen. How could this be happening?” shared Deana.
A friend of Deana’s, who is a nurse, recommended Northside Hospital Cancer Institute’s Second Opinion Program, a group of specialized physicians offering personalized, expedited second opinions for patients seeking options. The goal is to offer patients a second opinion within seven days of receiving the patient’s medical records. A nurse coordinator handles all the patient’s records and finds the best expert based on the patient’s disease type, location and the provider’s availability.
“I figured it was worth a shot given the big decisions we were facing,” explained Deana.
Within a week, the Second Opinion Program had put Ava’s case in front of a group of surgeons for discussion. After a short time, Ava and Deana received a call with news that it was recommended that Ava have the possibility of two surgeries rather than one life-altering surgery to remove the masses.
In November 2023, under the care of University Gynecologic Oncology’s Dr. Guilherme Cantuaria, Ava underwent her first surgery to remove and drain both masses. During surgery, Dr. Cantuaria discovered Ava had a frozen pelvis, a term that refers to pelvic organs being severely adhered together due to conditions such as endometriosis, which can restrict organ movement and impact various bodily functions.
Ava did not have cancer, but stage 4 endometriosis. Though still a tough diagnosis, treatment would be far less invasive and would preserve Ava’s future reproductive ability.
“Neither of us had any clue what endometriosis was,” explained Deana. “But we were grateful to hear her diagnosis was no longer life threatening.”
Ava had an additional follow-up laparoscopic excision surgery with Northside gynecologic surgeon Dr. Ceana Nezhat in February of 2024 to remove the endometriosis.
“I had missed so much of the school year, I was worried I’d never catch up. But my diagnosis lit a fire inside me, and I was able to get back to business by becoming more in tune with my body and eating healthier,” explained Ava. “Without the surgery, I might never have played softball again.”
Ava’s older sister, and Deana’s oldest daughter, was also diagnosed with endometriosis, as the condition can often run in families. She, too, had stage 4 endometriosis and underwent laparoscopic excision surgery with Dr. Nezhat.
“I felt so hopeless not being able to protect my daughters,” said Deana. “But the Second Opinion Program was the greatest gift we could have been given.”
Today, Ava is in her senior year of high school, and Deana is determined to share their story with others.
“I now know how important a second opinion can be, and I urge everyone to always ask questions and seek out additional opinions,” said Deana. “After all, you could be one opinion away from a much different life.”
Learn more about the Second Opinion Program.
*The health story shared here is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Patients should consult with their own physician before making medical decisions.
