Earlier this year, I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer.
I discovered it while preparing for an embryo transfer on my path to solo motherhood by choice. A routine saline sonogram revealed polyps, and a biopsy later showed endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia—also called EIN—which progressed into cancer.
This diagnosis has changed my priorities. Motherhood is still part of the future I hope for, but right now, healing and taking care of me comes first.
🎙 WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE
⭐️ How a routine IVF step led to my endometrial cancer diagnosis
⭐️ The subtle symptoms I experienced—and why they were easy to dismiss
⭐️ What I am learning about speaking up and asking questions in medical settings
⭐️ How I am combining oncology care with functional and emotional support
⭐️ Why solo motherhood is on pause, not cancelled
🎙 ABOUT RACHEL
After stepping away from the podcast, Rachel returns to share the health journey that changed the course of her year. She talks openly about finding endometrial cancer through IVF, pausing her fertility plans, and focusing on a more complete foundation for healing.
This is Rachel’s personal experience, not medical advice. If something feels different in your body, speak with a qualified healthcare professional.
💌 Connect with Rachel
⟡ Subscribe to the You Are Here newsletter: https://www.rachelrhee.com/
⟡ Follow Rachel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelrhee/
⟡ Follow Rachel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rachelrhee
⟡ Follow Rachel on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rachel.rhee
⟡ Shop my favorites: https://shopmy.us/shop/rachelrhee
✨ TOP 5 TAKEAWAYS
🔹 A routine appointment can change everything. A saline sonogram before my embryo transfer revealed the polyps that led to my diagnosis.
🔹 Symptoms are not always obvious. I was largely asymptomatic, aside from lighter periods and slight cramping that felt easy to explain away.
🔹 You are allowed to advocate for yourself. A change does not have to feel dramatic before it is worth mentioning to your doctor.
🔹 Healing can involve more than one kind of support. I am receiving oncology care at MD Anderson while also focusing on nutrition, inflammation, gut health, supportive therapies, and emotional wellbeing.
🔹 A pause is not always an ending. Solo motherhood remains part of my hope for the future. Right now, the priority is helping my body heal.
Afternoon energy. Minus the afternoon coffee.
Pique’s new X·E Fountain energy drink delivers clean, caffeine-free energy without the jitters, crash, or dehydration. Vitamin B Complex, magnesium, and electrolytes help support steady focus, while crisp cucumber-celery-lime makes every sip ridiculously refreshing.
💛 RACHEL'S FAVORITE MOMENTS
The moment I keep coming back to is admitting that motherhood is on pause—not cancelled. I was actually reminded of this by a comment from someone who follows me on social media. She shared that it’s just a delay and that helped me reframe and remain in a hopeful mindset.
There is grief in letting go of the timeline I imagined. But there is also hope in choosing to care for the body that will carry me into whatever comes next.
⏸ PAUSE HERE
Have you noticed a change in your body that you have been minimizing or waiting to bring up?
What question would help you feel more informed at your next appointment?
And what would it look like to treat a pause in your own life as an act of care—not failure?
📬 STAY CONNECTED
If this conversation opened something up for you, there's more where this came from.
✦ Subscribe to the You Are Here newsletter so you don't miss what's coming next
✦ Listen to the full episode and explore more guests on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube — we cover health and nutrition science, career pivots, unconventional life decisions, and personal growth grounded in real experience. If you're figuring out what comes next, there's a conversation here for you.
✦ Screenshot your favorite part of this newsletter and share it on your stories. Tag @rachelrhee so I can see it 💖
✦ Support the newsletter and buy me a coffee (or matcha latte in my case ☺️ 🍵)
💌 Connect with Rachel
✧ Instagram
✧ YouTube
✧ TikTok
✧ Shop Rachel's favorites