How my story begins: I left home on the morning of October 21, 2021, headed to work, excited to complete the day while looking forward to my weekend off. I made a stop at a store on the way to work to buy snacks while talking to my best friend on the phone. While shopping, I began to feel ill all of a sudden. After checking out, I called my husband to explain to him how I felt. He wanted me to turn back and head home, but I told him I would be fine.

The closer I got to work, the worse I felt. Once arriving, I got out of my truck to go in, and I felt wet. Once inside, I went to the bathroom only to find myself bloody. The more I wiped to try cleaning myself, the more would come. I then told my coworker that I needed to get to a hospital. I left work and got to the hospital. Once there, I coded out due to my blood pressure dropping to 70/40 because of loss of blood. After several tests and blood transfusions later, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 cervical cancer (due to lymph nodes being present).

Life before my diagnosis: I was happy, outgoing, hardworking, and energetic—full of life, enthusiasm, and willing to travel anywhere.

How I felt after diagnosis: After receiving my diagnosis, I was terrified, angry, scared, felt loss, and depressed. I questioned, WHY ME? I cried and cried because I didn't know what to expect. I didn't know what was going to happen. I was afraid of being taken away from my kids.

Telling my family and friends: On the day of my diagnosis, I texted all my immediate family and asked them to meet at my house around 2 p.m. I told everyone together because I knew we would all need each other for comfort just as much as I needed them individually.

My treatment: My treatment consisted of 6 weeks of radiation M–F, chemotherapy every Monday for 6 weeks, and two brachytherapy.

How I felt after treatment: Even after treatment was completed, I was sick, in pain, and mentally and emotionally drained.

What was most difficult for me: Trying to be strong, knowing that my husband and kids were watching me struggle to stay sane while going through all of this, along with me watching them all, trying to make sure they were okay mentally.

What I did to help myself: Once my "WHY me?" began to transform to "WHY not me?" I told the devil to get back. I chose God. At that moment, I put my gloves on and fought through my diagnosis with prayer. My prayer mom helped to guide me spiritually throughout my journey. I cannot thank God enough for placing her in my life when He knew I would need her the most.

My life after cancer: It was like I was learning myself again. I was suffering memory loss, pelvic pain, neuropathy, and fear of cancer returning.

Where I am today: Prayed up and living.

What I want other women to know: Cancer is hard to process. But With God All Things Are Possible. You Are Not Alone. We shall overcome!!

How I will try to help others: I will advocate wherever I go. I will share my story and try to get everyone of appropriate age that cross my path vaccinated.

Any additional information you'd like to share: Hang in there. I love you all!!