How my story begins: I started noticing my periods were getting worse, after a life of mild, practically unnoticeable cycles. I would bleed profusely through pads and tampons within hours. I felt fatigued all the time and had bad cramps. I ended up in the ER due to severe pelvic pain and they could not find anything acutely wrong so referred me to a gynecologist. My gyno thought I had symptoms of endometriosis and performed a PAP as well as a exploratory and LEEP procedure. My PAP and other tests came back abnormal and she did indeed find endometriosis; she wanted to do a full hysterectomy which I was ok with, as long as it took away my pain. As procedure goes, she did a colposcopy and found cancerous cells. I was then referred to an oncologist at the PU Stephenson Cancer center here in Oklahoma who conducted further testing and determined I had stage 3c cervical cancer and my lymph nodes were affected as well.
Life before my diagnosis: I was a full time Elementary school teacher, mother of 3 adult bonus children, fiancé to the most wonderful man and basic runner of the household.
How I felt after diagnosis: After finding out I had cancer, I was lost and overwhelmed and scared. This could not be happening to me!! I had guidance from the supportive care clinic as well as the nurses and my oncologist. Not to mention, I have the most wonderful support system from family and friends. So, I put on my battle gear and went through a 56 day treatment plan of chemotherapy, radiation as well as internal radiation.
Telling my family and friends: I told my fiancé and parents as soon as I found out. I am a very open person and need support from others to get through serious issues. Most were devastated as I was, but assured me I was not alone and they were there to fight with me. This brought me so much comfort and strength to push through this hard time.
My treatment: I started a 56 day treatment plan early in January of 2022 that lasted until March 17, 2022. The plan consisted of Cisplatin (my chemo drug) once a week on Tuesday. I had to get labs drawn every Monday before my treatment. I also had radiation treatments 5 days a week, Monday thru Friday and 5 internal radiation treatments towards the end where I was sedated and had radiation directly targeting my lemon size tumor. After finding out about the apparent metastasis, I began a treatment of Pembrolizumab, Bevacizumab, Carboplatin and Taxol. This combination proved to be much harder than the first cocktail. I had rounds every three weeks for 9 rounds, that was all my body could take. I was then put on maintenance chemo every three weeks consisting of Avastin and Keytruda. I am now off all chemotherapy and am being treatment with much easier treatments for sarcoidosis.
How I felt after treatment: After treatment, I was tired, worn out mentally, physically and emotionally, but my final PET/CT had shown a significant decrease in the size of my tumor as well as my lymph nodes were no longer visible. This made me hopeful that I had beat this disease and in my follow up scan 3 months later when the radiation had left my body I would be clear! Unfortunately, I had to go through intensive treatment as a result of an honest mistake. Going through all that chemo changed me and made me appreciate life more than I ever knew I could. I also have so much more respect for my body, knowing exactly how much it can go through and still make it out alive.
What was most difficult for me: The most difficult part of that process was radiation. I had always been such a healthy and strong person throughout my life and to see my body deteriorate and not be capable of things I once was, was hard. The pain in my pelvic region was so uncomfortable, but not horrid. Mentally I struggled with not being able to function like I used to.
What I did to help myself: I changed my diet, I tried to exercise as much as I could, even if it was just walking around the driveway or light yoga sessions. I saw an occupational therapist who helped me stretch and even taught me how to crochet!
My life after cancer: After my first treatment, I was hopeful. I was quickly thrown into menopause at 38 years old and the hot flashes were awful! I worked with pain management who gave me medicines to help with menopause as well as anxiety and depression. I tried to continue my life and get back to normal. Unfortunately, I was still so tired everyday that it was sometimes a challenge. I learned to give my body grace and time to heal as well as worked on patience. I am still recovering from the side effects of chemo, but I live every day with a positive attitude! I also have to deal with a new disease, but I am so thankful it is not terminal and I have a wonderful, healthy chance at life!
Where I am today: I unfortunately was diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer, because my PET scan after initial treatment had shown that the cancer had spread to my lungs and other organs, as well as my face. I had my check up PET/CT on July 5, 2022 and was told that it had metastasized. I was devastated and scared and overwhelmed and going into unknown territory. During the waiting period, I had developed these strange lumps on my face that were of all sizes and slightly painful. I had a small biopsy done, and the results came back “unusual”. Because of the gravity of my supposed situation, I did not pursue anything further with them and continued on to my first chemotherapy treatment. I had a port put in before starting and when healed, I began intense treatment of 4 different chemotherapy’s as well as a white cell blocker. Now, this round proved to be tough! I began to lose my hair two weeks after my first round and side effects started showing up left and right. Suspiciously, the bumps on my face had disappeared with just one chemo round! I ended up doing 9 rounds of intense chemotherapy. That time was extremely challenging for me as the chemo took a huge toll on my body. I lost 60 lbs, had severe nausea and vomiting issues, I was so tired all the time and barely ate. I just couldn’t stomach it. My scans however were looking good! My cancer was disappearing it seemed! Knowing this, and being continually mentally strong is what got me through the hard times. After the 9 rounds, the cancer was only remaining in parts of my lungs and in the lymph node between my trachea and esophagus. My oncologists were confident enough to put me on maintenance chemo, consisting of Avastin and Keytruda. Well, as soon as I finished my intensive rounds, the bumps came back! This was of course concerning and unexplainable! I was referred to a dermatologist who did a more thorough biopsy which proved I had an auto immune disease called sarcoidosis. Well, sarcoidosis usually presents itself in the lungs but can show up anywhere on the body. Further testing was necessary. After having 6 samples taken from my lungs, they all came back sarcoidosis, questioning whether or not I had ever had stage 4 in the first place. I was overwhelmed and shocked by this discovery!! I went from thinking I had a terminal diagnosis to having an incurable auto immune disease!! How could this happen? Well, sarcoidosis appears the same as cancer on scans, therefore fooled my oncologists into thinking it was metastasis. The timing and placement were too coincidental! I am now very thankful for the newly discovered disease, as crazy as that may seem, but it is so much better than being terminal! I now will face a new treatment plan but for something different. The doctors believe that the chemo, which lowered my immune system, sparked the sarcoidosis to start. When I was on intense chemo, it suppressed my immune system enough to slow it down and appear gone. Crazy right! Today, I am thankful for another chance at this wonderful life. I am still recovering from chemo side effects and do have some permanent damage, but it is nothing I can’t handle! Thanks to Cervivor, I have found a community of women who understand each other and are here for me no matter what.
What I want other women to know: I want other women to know that this disease can be deadly and painful and scary. And that it is ok to ask questions. It is ok and not shameful to talk to and even bug your doctor with questions or repeat exams. ALWAYS get your PAP tests!!!! Always! And if you notice something off, because we all know our bodies, don’t wait. Don’t wait to see a doctor or gynecologist. This disease can spread so fast, and you do not want it to be too late!! Please be aware of your body and your instincts. It’s better to know and to get help early. Cervical cancer can also easily be cured! But trust me ladies, you do not want to be in my position.
How I will try to help others: My goal is to spread awareness about cervical cancer. I want to talk to and help other women in anyway I can. I want to be a safe space for women of all ages to ask questions because I am willing to be completely open and honest. If that can help safe just one life, then my job in this world will be fulfilled.
Any additional information you'd like to share: I want to just empower women and let them know to not be afraid or ashamed. Get the help you need.