How my story begins: My story begins July 4, 2012. I had a very, very heavy period and it lasted a very long time. I waited to go to the doctor. I was on blood thinners for Factor V Leiden. My periods were always heavy, so I thought my INR (International Normalized Ratio, which I have to monitor) must be too high. Well, August was the same. The new school year was going to start soon. I had lost so much blood I couldn't get up the steps with out being totally out of breath so I made a gynecologist appointment. He did an internal exam and internal and external ultrasound. The doctor said it was a polyp and would watch it, but he told me to stop taking my blood thinners. I kept bleeding more and more. I literally called off from work everyday and I lost my job. I went to a new doctor to get the polyp removed and get an ablation done, but I was so nervous and I reacted to the medications she gave me so nothing was done.

Finally, in September 2013, I went to a new doctor and she took one look at my face and sent me right to ER for blood. After receiving blood, she went to remove the polyp but found a softball-sized tumor instead. I was stage 3b with all pelvic lymph nodes involved.

How I felt after diagnosis: To be honest, I was mad but I never cried. There was no question - I was not leaving my children. I am a single mom of 5 boys and their dad wasn't around so there was no way I going to leave. I was mad at God, but came to terms. I looked at it like I was climbing a mountain and I'd get to the top somehow and just stayed positive.

Telling my family and friends: I just sat them down told them straight out and said "I got this. Don't worry."

My treatment: I had chemotherapy and high-dose rate brachytherapy. I had a massive clot in the main artery in my leg and almost lost my leg and life. I had 2 surgeries to break it with no luck. I then had an IVC filter placed in my lung and the lower part of my right lung collapsed. I had a short break and it returned again. I had more treatment. And now thankfully, I am NED (No Evidence of Disease). I've made it past the six months mark. I feel so blessed.

How I felt after treatment: I am tired through my core. I can't work anymore form all the radiation. My leg is bad from the clot and my feet are numb from chemo.

What was most difficult for me: The hardest for me was going from 140 lbs to 250 lbs from fluid and steroids during treatment. I've lost about 70 lbs of it now. But I can't wear button pants because it hurts too bad so I have to wear sweats and maternity jeans..

What I did to help myself: I keep a positive attitude and keep focused on my boys.

My life after cancer: I love, love my life - pain and all. I'm just so happy to be here. I love more, don't sweat the small stuff, laugh harder, smile more, and play harder.

Where I am today: Living my life. I still can't work, but I volunteer at the American Cancer Society and give talks about cervical cancer.

What I want other women to know: Listen to your body. Be an advocate for yourself. Take care of you. If you do have cancer, it is not who you are. Remember that - don't get lost in a word.

How I will try to help others: Anyway I can.