How my story begins: There may have been a weird day where I felt something off before I saw the gynecologist, but my UTI symptoms had stopped, except for "leaking." Imagine my shock when the doctor told me there was a mushroom-like growth projecting from my cervix! The ultrasound was clear, and my Pap test came back negative, but the biopsy revealed invasive, grade 3 squamous cell carcinoma (G3 SCC).
I received the news on Christmas Eve, saw the gynecologic oncologist on December 30, and my scans were clean. I had a radical hysterectomy done on January 24, 2025. I almost escaped without more treatment but unfortunately the pathology came back with lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) present and deep stromal invasion. Now, I’ll need 25 radiation treatments to go for the cure! I’m focusing on healing from surgery.
Life before my diagnosis: PhD Scientist in medical research. Currently working managing clinical studies.
I’ve had negative Pap tests since 2008 and was told I didn't need annual gyn checks more than every 3-5 years. I previously tested HPV-positive on and off. Since COVID-19 in 2020, I’ve been working remotely. Saw the gynecologist in 2020 but had a negative Pap and negative HPV test at my last .
I broke my foot and ankle in an accident in 2022, which delayed my search for a local gynecologist. I never experienced any bleeding or pain. In September 2024, I had a negative colonoscopy, but afterward, I felt like I had a UTI. I told my doctor it was weird. I felt like I was leaking urine. In retrospect, it was watery discharge. My primary care physician took a vaginal culture but saw nothing abnormal since I thought that I could have an infection causing inflammation. She did not do a Pap since I was scheduled with a new gynecologist in December. The cultures came back clear, with no signs of infection or bleeding. She diagnosed vaginal atrophy and prescribed Estradiol cream.
How I felt after diagnosis: Shocked. I knew the science. I am not a smoker. I didn't have sex until marriage. The Pap test did not detect changes where my tumor started to grow deep in the cervical ostium, or opening. I definitely want to educate women that testing has up to a 20% failure rate and educate to take the stigma away from cervical cancer.
Telling my family and friends: No issue. I haven't told many people yet. But since my road to recover is longer, I might share my journey.
My treatment: Radical Hysterectomy (using the DaVinci robotic system with sentinel node removal)
25 IMRT treatments (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy)
Stage 1B2 cervical cancer
How I felt after treatment: I will let you know after radiation. Hated the catheter and happy it is out!
What was most difficult for me: The foley catheter
What I did to help myself: I bought mesh underwear and wore baggy clothing. I put everything on the counter so I don't need to bend. Have been living alone since returning home from the hospital on day two.
My life after cancer: I hope it is cancer free!
Where I am today: Two weeks post-hysterectomy
What I want other women to know: I thought I had the answers. Cancer had a different idea! My cancer was hiding. My MRI did not show the depth or LVSI either.
I am still happy with my choice to do surgery. Today, my survival chances are around 75%, but after completing radiation treatments, they’ll increase to 95%. I’m going for the cure!
How I will try to help others: I can educate, teach, lecture. I do those things in my field. I also demonstrate that smart-assed scientists can get stumped, too! So don't feel sorry for yourself and be a Cervivor!