How my story begins: I began having more intense periods with heavy bleeding. Sometimes it would last 2 weeks; other times, it would be normal. This started in August 2019 but I ignored it for the most part until November 2019 when it got to the point I couldn’t leave my house because the bleeding would be so bad.

One night I was having dinner with friends and my period started extremely heavy. I tried to rush home but my seat was filling up with blood. I knew something wasn’t right.

As soon as I got home I ran upstairs and jumped in the shower. That’s when it happened… I thought my uterus fell out. I yelled for my friend, who tried to drive fast behind me to follow me home. He came into the bathroom to see me standing there in horror.


(Side note: I haven’t seen my friend in 18 years. We had just recently reconnected a week prior to this moment.
My friend threw me a towel, grabbed some clothes and said “we are going to the hospital”. So as reluctant as I was, I went along but only to prove to myself there was nothing wrong.)

We made it to the hospital and I was taken in pretty fast for a busy Saturday. Lab work (pretended to faint... didn’t work). Urinalysis. Ultrasounds. A couple more exams later and I was sent home with no diagnosis. The ER doc said I was fine, and arranged a follow-up appointment a week and a half later.

Fast forward through the WHOLE WEEK so I’m not boring anyone.. I slept for 16hrs after the hospital, felt really tired for an entire week after, then there were symptoms. Now when I say symptoms; I thought it was sinus infection symptoms. I bought some sinus medicine, lived on Excedrin for some insane migraines, felt wicked dizzy every morning and winded walking up the stairs. But I still thought it was sinuses or some crazy cold brewing.

So now it’s the follow-up appointment. The day before Thanksgiving. I felt terrible. I sat in my car debating whether or not to actually “follow-up” but I had to, so I went in. I knew things weren’t going well when the first question was “are you normally this pale?” Well.. it’s winter so maybe??? A couple of questions later I was given the dreaded gown. I regretted getting out of the car. However, I really liked this nurse and appreciated her humor. So, the dreaded gown was on, the tools were out, and then “back-up” arrived.

The fun nurse called out for “back-up” which consisted of another nurse and two OBGYN doctors. I remember one of the doctors looking at me with concern while the other doctor tried to control the bleeding. One nurse held my hand while I cried...a lot.


Then came the info. I was severely anemic. The doctor said if I went home I wouldn’t make it. And by make it.. she said I would die if I walked out of this room. I would go home, pass out, and unfortunately I would never wake up. My iron levels were so dangerously low that they admitted me for a blood transfusion.

Two bags later, an MRI, then sleep for another 12hrs. I felt AMAZING.
Then my amazing feeling went away.
The doctor walked in. She pulled up a chair, was speaking in a low tone, and grabbed a box of tissues. Immediately I knew things were not going to go well.
“We have some concerns”. “We need to refer to oncology”.
“There is a large tumor”. “It does appear to be cancerous”.
“We will call you tomorrow once oncology reviews”

That’s all I remember.

I was discharged since my iron levels were stable. There was nothing the doctors there could do for me. I was being passed on to a whole new world - oncology.
 I went home, showered, zoned out, cried, got it together, and drove to my parent's house. I hugged my Dad, cried again, sucked it up, hugged my kids, cried again, hugged my ex-husband, cried again, sucked it up, and went to bed.

Friday afternoon (Black Friday); that same quiet doctor called me.

“I don’t have good news. It’s cancer…”.

Life before my diagnosis: My life was as normal as could be. I was a single mom raising my two boys. I had a full-time career, and my boys' soccer and wrestling practice. Hiking and exploring are my passion. I spent as much time as possible chasing waterfalls and being out in the world with my boys.

How I felt after diagnosis: I felt defeated. I also felt like a failure. How could I have ignored my symptoms for so long? I would fluctuate between depression and being really positive. I would black out most days. Most appointments I couldn’t remember unless I journaled immediately after. My entire world came to a sudden halt and there was nothing I could do.

Telling my family and friends: Telling my family and friends was easy. They were at most of my appointments and my family was at the hospital when the doctors first told me there was a tumor. Telling people wasn’t the problem; telling people with a smile was. I didn’t want to be sad. My family and friends all cried so I didn’t want to make it worse by being scared in their presence

My treatment: For 6 weeks I had chemotherapy once a week, including radiation five days a week. After I completed 6 weeks at my local cancer center; I completed 2 weeks of Brachytherapy (internal radiation).

How I felt after treatment: Chemo days were my best days. I felt the best after all the medication was in my body. Radiation was really hard for me. I couldn’t eat. I was sick all the time. The doctors were monitoring my weight because I was already really thin naturally and if I continued to lose weight; we discussed having a feeding tube placed. Once I completed the 8 weeks of treatment, I was on top of the world. I felt completely normal. Recovery wasn’t hard at all. I took a week off from work and life after my last round of brachytherapy just in case. After that week was over, I was back to work living as if nothing had ever happened.

What was most difficult for me: Radiation was the most difficult. However, remaining positive around everyone was the hardest mentally and emotionally. I never cried in front of anyone. I never stopped working except the two weeks I had brachytherapy. I never missed practice for my boys. The hardest part was remaining strong and independent so my two young boys didn’t see me struggle.

What I did to help myself: I journaled. I recently turned my journal into a book and have shared my story with friends, coworkers, and online.

I’d be more than happy to share my story with anyone interested in reading it. I poured my heart onto paper, took pictures at my appointments, and made sure I was as open and honest as possible. I didn’t hold anything back. That journal helped saved my life.

My life after cancer: I am currently in remission. I completed treatment March 1, 2020.

Where I am today: I am doing everything I was doing prior to my diagnosis. I’ve completed my follow up PET and 6 tumors are completely gone. The largest tumor is still present but not currently active.

What I want other women to know: You are not alone. You will get through this. You will be a survivor.

How I will try to help others: Everyone needs someone to just listen. To understand, feel, and acknowledge what is happening to them. I want to help others recognize their symptoms; especially if they are not comfortable going to doctors like I was. I want to help people see a different side of cancer other than what is portrayed in movies.

Any additional information you'd like to share: If anyone is interested in reading my journal to help get through their own experience, I would be happy to share it. Email me at [email protected]