Erica

Cancerversary: August 2020

Age at diagnosis: 30

Diagnosis: Endocervical adenocarcinoma

Stage of cancer: IB2

How my story begins: My husband and I already had 2 kids, but after our 2nd born turned two we got baby fever again. So I made an appointment with Planned Parenthood to get my Mirena IUD removed. During that visit, they do the normal pee test (to see if you're pregnant), Pap test and overall routine exam. After removing that IUD and going home, we were excited to add to our family. A week later they called me and told me my Pap was abnormal and that I should find a doctor to do a biopsy. At the time, I honestly had no clue what that meant. I didn't even bother with it.

Fast forward a few months, I had lots of abnormal heavy periods, sometimes lasting weeks at a time. I never once thought that it might have to do with the abnormal Pap. In fact, I look back call myself ignorant at the time. Why? Because I had no knowledge of any of the things I was going through. I never had even heard of cervical cancer. Which is my "why", I think, for doing this - for not really doing anything. At this time I was turning 28. I decided it had been long enough of trying for a baby and no luck. The bleeding and now pain had consumed my life. So I finally made a doctor appointment with a gynecologist. My Pap came back abnormal and the doctor wanted a biopsy done. At this point I couldn't move forward -- I had no insurance and I couldn't afford the private pay for a biopsy. So once again, I let it go. The following year I got insurance, due to the bleeding and pain getting much more severe. By this time we are ending 2019 and I am turning 30.

After getting insurance, I made an appointment right away. Same thing: routine Pap was abnormal and the doctor requested a biopsy. My biopsy was done December 2019. I was then told I had severe dysplasia and he also called them "funny looking cells" that needed to be taken care of right away. So I took some time to think about and then made the time to take off work and have a LEEP procedure done. This doctor told me he does these very frequently on many other patients. He said that even his wife had this procedure and went on to have multiple kids. So this gave us a positive outlook.

February 7, 2020- LEEP procedure was done. Before surgery he came into talk to me, told me it was going to be fine and he would get it all and that was it. Upon recovery, I boasted about having that over and done with and hopefully soon I would be pregnant.

But two weeks later, I received a phone call from that office asking me if I could come in to discuss my results. I was dumbfounded, I had no idea what it meant. I walked into that office all alone, not knowing what I would be walking out with...CANCER.

The doctor apologized and told me something was seen during the LEEP so he sent it off and it came back as malignant. From there he would send me to a cancer center.

Life before my diagnosis: Life for me was pretty "normal" and I thought I was a pretty healthy 30 year old. I had just turned 30, actually. I told my family and friends that year 30 would be my best yet! But my goodness, if I only knew what roller coaster I was about to endure!

How I felt after diagnosis: I wasn't initially upset, I wasn't even upset while he explained it to me. He even asked me several times if I was okay. I think because I showed no emotion. I was just numb.

Telling my family and friends: Telling my family was easy, as they are all close to us. I have some of the greatest friends who showed nothing but support. Telling my kids, was the hardest thing I had to do at that point.

My treatment: Six weeks of external radiation and chemotherapy. 6 rounds of cisplatin chemo, 28 rounds of external radiation and 5 rounds of brachytherapy which was an extra two weeks.

How I felt after treatment: I felt pretty good following treatment. I thought I was lucky I wasn't have all the nasty side effects. I did have some bad days but nothing like I had heard about other people. But I was in for a surprise in the weeks to come. Everything hit me late, really late.

What was most difficult for me: The most difficult thing for me was not being able to be the wife and mother that my family knew me as. I couldn't take knowing I wasn't there for them, like I normally would be.

What I did to help myself: I interacted with my fellow cervical cancer friends in groups. They are the best! They have been through it all just as well and know every feeling and emotion and it was my outlet. It still is!

My life after cancer: I continue to be a wife and mother, but I look at things differently now. I try to see the good in every single day.

Where I am today: I am now free and clear of cancer but that doesn't mean its over in the cancer world. I now live with long term side effects but I try my best to live each day to the fullest.

What I want other women to know: i want you to know, you are not alone! No matter where you are, there are millions of women that are going through or have gone through the same thing. We are all here for you and will help you in any way possible. I also want women to know not to let things go, get your routine yearly exams, go to the doctor if something is odd, or you're not feeling right!

How I will try to help others: I will try to help others by informing them and be proactive about HPV and cervical cancer.