How my story begins: In 2022, I was in a car accident. The pain caused by accident masked my symptoms. After seeing a chiropractor for a year and not getting favorable results, I requested a referral to an orthopedic surgeon. I saw the orthopedic surgeon once, he gave me a referral to have an MRI done. About 20 minutes later, I was told that I have a tumor. Later that day, I was told to go to the ER but when I did they told me that this was not an emergency and that I should see my Primary Care Physician. My PCP had me see an oncologist and after a procedure (biopsy) and she had me see another oncologist, where I was told that I had cervical cancer.

Life before my diagnosis: Wife to my incredible husband, who has been my best friend, my lover, my caregiver and father to my children. Mother of two amazing adult children; my daughter is the oldest of the two and my son is the youngest. Grandma to four beautiful grandchildren, three girls and the youngest a boy.

Until 2020, I spent as much time as possible, when not working, with my grandchildren and daughter, as we lived down the street from one another. In 2020 we moved from Arizona to the Oregon coast. For the first few years, I spent as much time walking the beach and finding agates to tumble.

How I felt after diagnosis: After a biopsy, I was told that I had HPV-16. I was not certain what that meant exactly. Unfortunately, I learned that I had cervical cancer from MyChart. My Primary Care Physician sent me to OHSU where I was it was confirmed that I have cervical cancer and that it is curative. The staging was IIIc.

Telling my family and friends: Since I tell my daughter everything, she was the easiest, even though I think she would have preferred not to know the details. My son has a lot of anxiety, so it was more difficult to tell him. I could tell he was worried. Telling my Mom was the hardest, because she is a crier. I told her ahead of time to not cry and that we have to stay positive, so only positivity and laughter are allowed but what she does when we get off of the phone is up to her. My brother-in-law has been amazing. Since I don't have a brother (only sisters), he is my honorary brother.

My treatment: I had 5 chemotherapy appointments (one per week). I had 5 weeks of radiation (5 days per week). I had 4 brachytherapy (internal radiation) appointments 2 each week for 2 weeks.

I had another week of radiation (5 days).

I am now on chemotherapy again, because while the previous cancer tumors have gone away, I now have new cancer tumors (while they are small, it has spread). However, I recently had a PET scan and the doctor says that the chemo is working.

How I felt after treatment: I was sick as a dog from the radiation and the chemotherapy. The brachytherapy was the worst. I have never felt so much pain in all of my life. Since I am technically still in treatment, I'm not sure how I will feel.

What was most difficult for me: So far, I have felt nothing but pain in my pelvic region, so my husband and I have not been able to be intimate since before my diagnosis.

Where I am today: I am currently undergoing chemotherapy again. Once every three weeks and a PET scan once every 12 weeks. So far, the doctor says that it's working.

What I want other women to know: Do NOT wait, see your provider today!

How I will try to help others: I'm not sure yet, but I do know that I want to tell my story to other women so that they will learn from my mistakes.