How my story begins: It didn’t come as a shock, but at the same time, it did. We, as people, put our trust in the doctors we see. I had experienced abnormal bleeding for years and had seen several doctors. I also have HPV, and my doctor told me it clears up on its own and not to worry—unaware that it could lead to cancer. I was also told I had endometriosis, so I took care of myself, thinking that was the cause of my issues.

The bleeding began to turn into large clots, and one day it became too much to bear, and I became dizzy. I went to the emergency room, where I was told I had lost too much blood and needed a transfusion right away. After the transfusion, I was told it could be fibroids, and I was sent home with instructions on how to care for myself. It happened again, and I needed more blood transfusions — this time, three bags. I even brought the blood clots to the hospital with me, and a doctor told me this wasn’t normal. I needed a Pap test.

When she attempted to do the Pap, I bled so much that she had to put something inside to stop the bleeding and told me that she sees a tumor and she thinks that she irritated it so I was sent to the hospital to do a biopsy. The biopsy was done on June 26, a day that changed my life.

Life before my diagnosis: I was a loving, caring single mother of 8. I enjoyed going to basketball, football, and soccer games, track meets, and cheer events. Aside from working hard in the housekeeping department, I took pride in being the best mother I could be — doing my best to ensure my children could be the best at whatever they desired. They were the beginning and end of my day.

How I felt after diagnosis: Sadly, I’m not done with treatments. I’m still undergoing treatments.

Telling my family and friends: Wow. For me, it was all tears. As a single mother, I’m all my children have, so they were the first to know. They loved on me and reassured me that I was going to be okay. My oldest son has so much faith, and his exact words were, "Mom, this too shall pass, and God will never put a death wish on you, so I know you’ll come out of this stronger than you went in."

Those words stuck with me, and I carry them with me throughout my day. Telling my mom and family was scary because I feared being a burden to anyone. Knowing I have the most children, I worried about how I would be looked at from here on out. But with trust in the Lord, they were all so embracing and caring, and each of them had encouraging words for me.

My treatment: I’m still trying to finish it.

How I felt after treatment: Very tired with a hurting body. My legs would hurt at times and other times I just cried.

What was most difficult for me: Losing my hair really made me realize that this was real, and not being able to go to work was another tough reminder. Little by little, I started losing everything I had worked so hard for.

It started with my house, then my car, and it just kept going. Going through radiation every day and chemotherapy for 6 to 7 hours once a week cost me everything.

What I did to help myself: For me, it was getting up and telling myself this is not what God has for me, reminding myself that He’s not done with me, and telling myself that I have children who depend on me. I get up every day and get dressed. I pray my way through the day because, aside from having cancer, I had to go back to work because I was drowning in bills and because my kids not being taken care of properly scared me. When I asked for help, I had to make a choice, and I made it with prayer.

Where I am today: Still fighting this horrible dream that’s also my reality.

What I want other women to know: Continue to get checked out, and if it’s something you don’t understand, get a second opinion. And if your story becomes somewhat like mine, talk about it, because the more you talk about it, the more you may help someone else have the faith that you had to fight for.