How my story begins: Before diagnosis, my life was busy. I was last checked with a Pap test in 2012 in California. It was normal. Since then I had moved to Louisiana for a year, and then in 2015, I moved to Tennessee. I knew I was late getting my well woman exam, but I needed to find a doctor and I just kept putting it off.

In October 2015, I missed 3 periods. I thought, "OMG, nooooo. I can't be preggo!!!" I took 5 tests, all of which were negative. So I thought, "Well, I'm 44 so maybe it's premenopause or something." And I let it go. In December, I started having weird discharge. Nothing I'd ever had. It was very watery and would not go away. So finally, in January, I found a doctor and scheduled an appointment. I found out my Pap was abnormal and I was HPV positive, After my colposcopy, I was told I needed to go see a gyn/oncologist. Four of the 5 biopsies came back precancerous, but the 5th, which was a scrape from the center, showed cancer. They scheduled me a week later for the oncologist. That week was literally HELL!

At my oncology exam, he told me that we would do either a cold knife biopsy or a LEEP procedure but he won't know which until he's in there. Then we will probably do a hysterectomy and we'll be done - that should get rid of everything. He ended up doing a LEEP and said it would be about 10 days for results. I also had a pet scan done while waiting for results.

When I went to get the news, he told me there had been a change of plans. The good news is that the pet scans shows cancer is only in the cervix. But, we are not going to do a hysterectomy. We will do 25 radiation treatments, 6 chemos, and then 5 brachy. So much information. My head was spinning. He staged me at stage 1b2.

How I felt after diagnosis: I was terrified. Cancer runs all through my family. My mom passed away from lung cancer in 2007. My grandmother had breast cancer. My aunt has had breast cancer. It's just all through the family. I'm the first with cervical cancer, but still I just was scared. I have 3 kids - ages 21, 17, and 15. I need to be here for them. My doctor assured me they will do everything possible to kill it and this is the best treatment to do that. I left that appointment feeling a bit better and determined to kick cancer's ass!!

Telling my family and friends: I'm was very careful telling the kids. I didn't want to not tell them but I didn't want to scare them either. I told my oldest first as she is my strong no nonsense daughter who looks at facts and figures it out. I told my youngest next. He also pretty much takes the info and says, "OK. Let's go get this done." My middle daughter is also very strong but she will Google and immediately think a headache is a brain tumor and she's gonna die! I knew I had to tell her separately and in a way she understands that I have a fight but I plan on winning. She took the news pretty good and she has been my rock. She goes with me to chemo and a lot of my doctor appointments. I'm very blessed with all 3. My ex-husband has been great as well. Shocking (lol)!

My treatment: I am currently in treatment. I had a port placed and I had my first radiation and chemo treatment the next day. I have radiation Monday through Friday and chemo on Tuesday. I will also have 5 brachy treatments when radiation is finished.

How I felt after treatment: To be continued......

What I want other women to know: I want to get the word out on the importance of getting your well woman exam and not letting it lapse. We hear all the time about getting mammograms and save the boobies but getting your Pap and HPV tests are only heard of when someone famous passes from cervical cancer.

I am very open about my diagnosis. I share it every chance I get and thankfully a few of my friends and cousins have called and made their own very overdue appointments!

How I will try to help others: Keep talking, keep sharing!