A few years ago, Rachel went to the hospital with a terrible stomach bug, though she was going into surgery for a laparoscopy, and possible appendicitis, and woke up with a diagnosis of Stage Three Ovarian Cancer and a full hysterectomy. Today, she tells Ali all about her life-changing experience, including how the hysterectomy thrust her into menopause and rendered her infertile. "Infertility crept up on me. No one talked to me about it," she says. "I felt overlooked by everyone because I was young. They didn't give me access to any resources." Now 26, Rachel explains what options she has when she does begin trying to conceive, how she still struggles to find community, and why she calls her infertility her "dirty little secret."EPISODE SPONSORS:FERTILITY RALLY www.fertilityrally.com and @fertilityrally, offers 24/7 Community, Content and Curated Events. Give yourself or a fellow infertility warrior the gift of support while navigating your journey. EVERYONE is welcome.TICKETS FOR FERTILITY RALLY LIVE ARE ON SALE NOW! GO TO FERTILITYRALLY.COM to snag yours!EXTEND FERTILITYExtend Fertility began offering egg freezing at 40% below the national average cost. By 2017, they were the largest egg freezing practice in the nation. Today, they've expanded to offer a full range of infertility services, including IVF, in a small practice environment that is more personal, higher quality and data driven. To make an appt or see more, go to extendfertility.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/infertile-af-infertility-and-modern-family-building-through-art/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy