How my story begins: I began with typical UTI symptoms after a routine colonoscopy screening in September. However, after two rounds of antibiotics, I still had UTI symptoms. I remember telling the doctor that this was a weird UTI, it began with leaking urine.

Looking back, I had the watery discharge of cervical cancer. The colonoscopy procedure must have “poked the bear!” My internist performed an internal, did cultures, thought that I had vaginal atrophy, and prescribed estradiol cream. We did not do PAPs that day because I scheduled an appointment with a new gynecologist in December who takes post-menopause patients. By then, my UTI symptoms stopped, except for "leaking."

Imagine my shock when she told me that I had a mushroom-like exophytic tumor protruding from my cervix into the vagina! I had a biopsy and an ultrasound immediately in the gynecology office. Th ultrasound showed a uterus with fibroids. She said it could be a fibroid expelling, but she had a bad feeling. My Pap test came back negative like before− no sign of cancer or HPV. However, the biopsy told a different story: it showed invasive, grade 3 squamous cell carcinoma. There was never any pain or bleeding.

Thank God I went for my colonoscopy in September!

I received the biopsy news three weeks later Christmas Eve, I saw the gynecologic oncologist on December 30, and had my scans done first week of January. My scans were clean, and the tumor graded as 1B1 or 1B2. I could get a radical hysterectomy! My surgery was performed on January 24, 2025. I almost escaped without more treatment but unfortunately the pathology came back with lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) present as well as deep stromal invasion. I had a month to recover, and I completed my 25 IMRT radiation treatments in April.

Life before my diagnosis: PhD Scientist in medical research. I was working managing clinical studies for the vaccine program in the government. I retired from 24 years federal service in May. I was busy with work, workouts, and trying to have a social life. 

I had negative Pap tests since 2008 and my doctor downtown near where I work told me that I did not need annual gynecology checks but instead every 3-5 years.

When I went in 2018, I reminded him that I previously assessed HPV-positive when I was in my forties or fifties. I said that I wanted to continue annual exams. He thought that I was ok to cut back. I last saw my gynecologist in 2020, before the COVID-19 outbreak and teleworking, and I had a negative Pap and negative HPV test at my last.

I had a million reasons to put off finding a new gynecologist: I had broken my foot, I needed to prioritize dental work neglected during COVID so I decided to schedule a visit after the colonoscopy. Besides, my doctor said that I did not need to go more often than every 4-5 years! Cervical cancer screening requirements change after age 65. For seniors, HPV screening recommendation is every three to five years; a pelvic exam every three years or if you are bleeding, have a problem like dryness or pain, or are sexually active.

How I felt after diagnosis: Shocked. I knew science. I am not a smoker. I did not have sex before age twenty-one. I did not have children until age twenty-three. Although I had HPV when I was younger, I have been clear a long time. I felt guilty that I was late with my recent exam. The Pap tests that I had did not detect changes where my tumor started to grow deep in the cervical ostium, or opening. Now, I want to educate women that testing has up to a 20% failure rate, educate the public to take the stigma away from cervical cancer, and advocate that senior women need annual checkups and they must remain vigilant.

Telling my family and friends: No issue. I wear my Cervivor T-shirt with pride. After hearing my story, over a dozen older women and even the mothers of younger women who know me at the gym went to the gynecologist. This is my mission. If it could happen to me with my medical background, it could happen to anyone. I read that older women can get endocervical tumors beginning in the stroma, these tumors are not easily detectable by Pap tests. This age bracket is vulnerable and misguided.

My treatment: Radical Hysterectomy by horizontal incision laparotomy as well as the DaVinci robotic system for sentinel node removal. I had two surgeries with two sets of scars in January and 
25 IMRT treatments (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy)
 followed by surveillance.

How I felt after treatment: I rang that bell jumping for joy!

What was most difficult for me: The last few weeks of radiation, I had acute radiation enteritis. This severely limited my diet. I had to keep hydrated and stay on a low fiber diet living on mashed potatoes, bananas, chicken, and fish. I could not eat normally or enjoy spice until summer. I gained five pounds enjoying every minute of eating in August. I can eat everything on the menu now. However, after radiation I developed moderate lymphedema, so I need to watch salt. Before radiation, the worst thing was eight days of the foley catheter.

What I did to help myself: I have been living alone since returning home from the hospital on day two post-surgery. Since biopsy day, I leaned on meditation. I am a very spiritual person. Sometimes I would use meditation tapes to relax, sleep well, heal myself, and clear my body of negative thoughts. To spiritually manifest my healing, my treatments were successful, I see myself healed, and I move forward with faith. I thank God as if I am already at year 5 post-cancer. I do yoga every day for my tight pelvis from radiation and I try to use Daisy the Dilator at least twice a week. I mix my Eastern Mysticism with Western Medicine.

My life after cancer: Cancer free! Every day is a blessing. I have setbacks like sprained piriformis muscle from pushing too hard and I deal with moderate lymphedema from surgery/ radiation. I mix physical therapy with exercise, wrapping, and compression. I also take adult education classes and keep myself busy. I am building my social circle, one step at a time. I hope to go to a yoga retreat. Right now, I am practicing chair yoga and stretching.

Where I am today: I am living my best new-normal. I went to my first surveillance examinations. I am beginning a new chapter in my life with follow-up, regular exercise, and a healthy diet. It also involves meditation, exploration, and discovery. Honestly, I get my moments, but when I do, I meditate. My inner voice tells me that it will be all right. I believe it. I want to share my experience with women, educate, and help spread awareness.

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 stromal depth or LVSI either. Cancer hides; screening misses. That is why we need vigilance. 

I am still happy with my choice to do surgery. Today, my survival chances are good post-IMRT. I am resilient and I am honored to be a Cervivor.

How I will try to help others: I can educate, teach, lecture. I did those things in my field. I also demonstrate that smart-assed scientists can get stumped, too! I want to become a Cervivor Ambassador, advocate for my sisterhood, and volunteer where needed. I am honored to be a part of this organization. Thank you for the opportunity to share my story.