How my story begins: Before my diagnosis, life was great! In March 2009, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer stage 2b in after having a LEEP procedure.

How I felt after diagnosis: My problem and the reason why I decided to join the Cervivor website is my sexual life. After diagnosis and treatment, I have bled during intercourse every single time. I have gone to multiple doctors to see if something could be done - maybe cauterize the areas that bleed, maybe injections. I tried lube and nothing works. When I was diagnosed, I was 34 and I am now 43 and I’m still dealing with it. I really want to know if anyone else has dealt with this same situation and if so, what helped them. The incontinence has gotten better through the years (still not 100% but I can somewhat deal with that). However, if anyone has suggestions for that as well, I would take those too.

My treatment: I underwent chemo and radiation, internal and external for 2 months starting in May. They were going to do a radical hysterectomy, but on the day of the surgery, they opted out of doing it because my tumor was too big. It was the size of a small grapefruit. The treatments were not as I expected. It wasn’t a walk in the park, but it also wasn’t bad. The worst I have to say was the internal radiation. After all was said and done, the tumor was reduced to the size of a strawberry and the chemo I was told continued to work in my body until it was completely gone.

Where I am today: Life has been an adjustment, but I’m alive and well, thank god!