How my story begins: I had done it “right” - I went for my regular Pap tests which never showed anything. That’s until I found out adenocarcinoma is regularly missed on Pap tests.

I had symptoms for months I chose to ignore, until I began hemorrhaging in the middle of the night, night after night.

I told myself my IUD had migrated, and it would be a “quick” surgery and I’d go on with my life.

I had to fight for proper care. My primary care doctor blew me and my symptoms off. I had to “lie” to get an emergent referral to a gynaecologist, who took one look in me and saw a 2” tumor my doctor looked right past.

Life before my diagnosis: I was living my best life. Driven, passionate, successful. I was divinely happy. I thought I had overcome all of life’s challenges (childhood trauma, domestic abuse) and had “made it” as a successfully independent woman, entrepreneur, and healed human.

How I felt after diagnosis: Devastated. Terrified. Ashamed.

Telling my family and friends: I only told about six people. I was so ashamed and thought I had failed life. I went radio silent on social media for three months. I only told my story to the masses the day I rang the bell to end treatment.

My treatment: I had 25 external radiation treatments, four brachytherapy. They wanted me to do chemo radiation but I quit chemo after one dose - it literally poisoned me and I spent six weeks bed ridden after one baby dose.

I chose to integrate holistic and conventional therapy, undergoing 23 high dose IV vitamin C treatments and working with an integrative physician, a naturopath, and my oncologists.

How I felt after treatment: Uneasy. Everyone around me was cheering me on (well, those who knew). I was relieved, but not excited. Being done treatment didn’t mean I was cancer free, I saw it more as a milestone than a celebratory event.

What was most difficult for me: Being bed ridden and relying on other people was difficult for me.

What I did to help myself: Meditate, went to energy workers, changed my diet, healed my past traumas, and journaling.

My life after cancer: The first thing I did after finishing treatment was write a book, my memoir. I wrote it in 75 days and it comes out in April 2021.

I have been declared NED as of October and reconfirmed in January.

Where I am today: I am committed to living my very best life. I seize each day and take every opportunity that is presented to me. I got a new horse, a new dog, expanded my business and am in love with my second chance at life!

How I will try to help others: I advocate for holistic healing, clean eating and exercise. Through my story I hope to encourage others to change their life, heal their wounds, support their bodies- before they get sick.