'Cancer has taken so much from me': 23-year-old fitness fanatic with ovarian cancer reveals the devastating physical effect the disease has had on her body in before and after images

  • Cheyann Shaw, from Seattle, documented her two-year fitness journey on Instagram and showed off her incredible progress
  • In August, she was diagnosed with stage-four ovarian cancer 
  • Now undergoing chemo, Cheyann has lost her hair and much of her muscle mass that she worked so hard for
  • Though she laments the loss of her figure, hair, and health, she's kept a remarkably upbeat attitude and continues to work out 

By Carly Stern For Dailymail.com

Published: 16:15 EST, 12 December 2016 | Updated: 12:16 EST, 13 December 2016

An Instagram star who built up a following documenting her fitness journey is now posting pictures of a new sort since being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Cheyann Shaw, a former NPC Bikini Competitor from Seattle, was known for her fit gym selfies and workout videos. Then, on August 3rd of this year, she was diagnosed with cancer.

Now, the 23-year-old is documenting her battle with the illness, candidly sharing how chemotherapy has made her lost her hair and the toned figure she worked so hard for.

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What a change: Cheyann Shaw shared before (left) and after (right) photos on Instagram to show the toll cancer has taken on her body

Her words: She posted the snaps with a heartbreaking message about loss

For two years, Cheyann documented her changing body as she worked to get sillmer and more muscular. 

But gour months ago, after a trip to the ER and emergency surgery, Cheyann learned she had sick. Soon, she was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer and began treatment.

While it was no doubt difficult, Cheyann didn't stop documenting her changing body — even though now, she was losing muscle, not gaining it.

Just three weeks after her diagnosis, she got back to the gym, sadly sharing a picture highlighting her muscle loss. She'd also dropped 10 pounds. 

Nice figure! Cheyann had grown her Instagram following by posting workout photos

Fitness queen: She worked hard to get a round backside and muscular abs

Distressing news: When she learned she had cancer, she didn't stop posting

She kept working out, but her body couldn't keep up as easily, and she isn't as toned as it once was. In September, her hair began to fall out, and she decided to shave her head.

Before Thanksgiving, Cheyann took to Instagram to post startling before and after photos and a heartbreaking message.

In the before picture, she was 130lbs and 15 per cent body fat, with 'a nice little booty'. Now, she's 105lbs. 

'That's way too small for me. I'm 5'5",' she wrote. 'I lost everything. Cancer has taken so much from me. The body I worked so hard for 2 years to get, the ability to have and carry my own child, my hair, and so much more, but one thing for sure is that cancer has not taken my fight and faith.'

Brave: Instead, she began documenting how cancer changed her body, even posting photos after her hair began falling out and she decided to shave it

Positive attitude: She has kept her spirits up and has faith she will get better

Despite losing so much, Cheyann has kept a surprisingly upbeat attitude through her experience.

'I will never stop fighting. I will never lose my faith. I will never let cancer win,' she went on. 'Today has been a rough day for me mentally, but that's okay. I know tomorrow will be much better and I'm thankful to be alive and to see another day.'

She concluded: 'This is the toughest battle I have and will ever face, but I know I can do it. The hardest part of all this is my body change. I have a hard time looking at myself in the mirror but I'm learning to love myself again and I know this is only temporary. Once I get the clear light to workout, I'll be in the gym banging those weights.'

Not easy: Still, she is upset to have lost the body she worked so hard to sculpt

Every bit helps" Followers have left kind words of support and encouragement 

Her post has garnered widespread attention, earning 453,000 likes and over 40,000 comments, most of support.

'You are beautiful and Strong!! You've got this girl!! Sending you love, light and strength,' wrote one admirer. 

'You are so strong and with the attitude you have, you will beat this. Sending prayers and positive vibes to you!' wrote another, while a third added simply: 'This girl is a warrior.'

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