How my story begins: I was 29 years old, in labor with my 4th son. The doctor felt something on my cervix but I was unsure of what it was. I gave birth hours later with no problem. Six weeks after delivery, I started having severe bleeding after intercourse. I went to my 6 week checkup after the delivery but I was late and they sent me home to reschedule. It was the week before Christmas and they could not get me in until February 2. On that day the doctor had an emergency and they cancelled my appointment.

Next opening was April 1. I went to my appointment and at that point I had a lot of bleeding! Told the doc and when he put the duckbills In, blood poured out of me. My response was "Can I have more kids?" "More kids? he said. " I don't know if you will live!" That's how I found out I had cancer.

He set up an appointment with a gynecologist the next day who did a biopsy and an exam. 3 days later he called me into his office. Not the exam room - his office. Gulp! He told me I needed a radical hysterectomy and I needed to go to Seattle for the surgery. He scheduled me for the next week.

How I felt after diagnosis: To be honest, I was 29 years old. I had a 4 month old baby and I was swimming in the river denial!!

Telling my family and friends: My best friend Anita had my 4 kids while I went to my appointment. When I picked up the kids she asked me what was wrong. I told her I had cancer. Since my appointment was April 1, she said "If i say April fools, will you tell me you are joking?" She never left my side.

I soon found my husband and said to him, "I can't have more kids...I have cancer." I don't remember telling my parents. It was a blur. I did call my sister-in-law. She had breast cancer and had just finished her 2nd round of chemo after it came back for the 2nd time .

My treatment: I was sent to Seattle for a radical hysterectomy. When I got to the teaching hospital, I had 6 young men come and give me a vaginal and a rectal exam! After close evaluation, they determined I
could not have a radical hysterectomy because the cancer had left the cervix and was in my lymph nodes. I was now diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer. They would do a lymph nodes dissection to remove cancerous nodes but leave the uterus and other woman parts because I would need chemo and radiation to treat the cancer. I had surgery the next day and was scheduled for radiation and chemo.

My children and loved ones were in Montana so I went home for treatment. I had 6 weeks of radiation, 96 straight hours of chemo 2 times and internal radiation.

How I felt after treatment: After the treatment ... I was pretty trashed. Not much left emotionally and physically. I was left with severe damage to my vagina from the radiation. In fact, it was gone. It had been closed with scar tissue.

What was most difficult for me: It was difficult that I could not have sex with my husband. I had reconstructive surgery to fix that 3 years after treatment. That sucked. But the worst part and still is.. Radiation damage. I got an infection somewhere. Doctors never could explain but it showed in my bones. I have fought chronic osteomyelitis for 20 years. I have had 12 surgeries on my hip. I have had 3 hip replacements and at the present I have no hip and cannot walk. I have been septic 5 times and been on the edge of death. Each time, I'm surprised that I wake up.

What I did to help myself: I had friends and family to help me. I have faith that God is in control and will never leave me.

My life after cancer: I asked my doc after treatment..."When will I be normal?" He chuckled and said you will never be normal. Kinda where I live!

Where I am today: Today I wake up and grab crutches to take a step. I wrap my leg to keep the lymphedema under control. I live very hard! I travel and go as much as I can because I don't know when it will end. I watch over my shoulder everyday and expect the ball to drop and l just hope I can out run it. Haha!
I want to see it all and do it all because tomorrow I might not be able to.

What I want other women to know: I want others to know not to give up. Fight hard. Believe hard. Live hard.

How I will try to help others: I would love to help others with the fight. I am physically a bit of a mess but I will not quit and would help in anyway possible.