cervical cancer survivor

Surviving Cervical Cancer: Tips from Our Community

We develop tools to navigate through life’s rough waters but when you’re on the receiving end of a cervical cancer diagnosis, it’s like your toolbox is suddenly empty.

Something that almost everyone in our Cervivor community has said is that no one ever wants to be in a ‘cancer club’ but when you do find your community, things feel less scary. Now you can share coping and wellness tools, help others and find support from those who ‘get it’.

To provide that support, our community is sharing their tips for coping through a cancer diagnosis.

Keep a box of cards/letters/hospital bracelets/etc. This can be a vital way of processing through your emotions every now and again. You can reflect on the support you received and everything you survived. ~ Morgan N.

During treatment, sleep when you’re tired and eat when you’re hungry. Keeping your body well rested and nourished is a priority. ~Emily H.

I had to learn to say, “NO!” and to take time for myself to rest. Morning and evening meditation really helped me and art is my escape from it all. ~ Tasha B.

Yoga and meditation and eating clean! Meditation helped me focus on one thing. Eating clean gives me advantage on fighting back with nutrient vitamins to restore and help my body and digestive system. ~ Re’gina P.

I schedule time to rest. Be it meditation, reading, sitting in the sun, even aimlessly scrolling – just to be still for 30 mins or 1 hour during the day. I say I’m busy. Busy resting. ~ Samantha R.

Not only are our bodies going through so much with side effects, treatments and surgeries but cancer takes a toll on our spirit and mental health. Taking time to rest and reset, however that looks to you, is so important. Maybe this means reaching out and asking for help. Maybe it’s calling that friend who always knows how to make you laugh, or maybe it’s lying in bed and just crying. Creating space for ourselves is healing. Self-care comes in many forms and none of it is selfish.

Getting outside, even if it was just to walk to the mail box or sitting in my backyard. A little vitamin D always makes me feel better. ~ Carol L.

For me, it’s always been; yoga, meditation, walking/hiking, a religious sleep schedule, cooking/baking, time with friends, music, and quiet time reading. ~ Tracy C.

Listen to your body and resting whenever needed. This was very hard for me because I was so used to go, go, go but it’s so important to let your body rest and repair. ~ Gracie C.

There was overwhelming gratitude from survivors for their medical providers. From amazing Gynocological Oncology teams, Infusion and Radiation teams, to PA’s, RN’s and everyone who works hard to keep us alive to live. When you have a good oncology team, it’s a game changer.

Eating healthy food and sessions with my Oncology Physical Therapist to help with hip pain, regular varied movement, and journaling. ~ Christina B.

Finding my ‘safe spot’ to mentally escape for a bit. Learning to let others take care of me. Coloring and enjoying nature. I’m very tactical and the ears on my dog help soothe me.  ~ Karen N.

I learned to create boundaries from negative things/people. Using no, for my own wellbeing is essential. ~ Lorie W.

Another common thread we heard from you was the support you received from family and friends. Being surrounded and supported by people who put care into action means so much. Whether this comes in the form of prayer circles, meals being delivered or being that person holding our hand, all are great acts of loving kindness. And who doesn’t need more of that?

As cervical cancer patients, survivors and thrivers we have a special community. One that feels tight-knit because we know that through our voices we have the power to ignite a conversation and to help others. We know that our stories can have an impact on someone else’s life. That, through those stories, ending cervical cancer can be reached.

What are some tips you used to get through your diagnosis or life-changing event? How does wellness play a part in survival today?

“On Wednesdays we wear Pink”… wait, what?

That is something my son Matthew always said to me, and I always laughed.  I had no idea that line came from the movie Mean Girls, nor how much I would remember this comment and how it evolved and shaped my Teal & White Tuesdays.  

I knew pink was the color for breast cancer as I had already been down that path.  I had no idea what the ribbon color was for cervical cancer. When I received my diagnosis in 2015, I had to research the ribbon to find out what my color of ribbon would be. Deep down somewhere in my subconscious, I knew I would be wearing that color for the rest of my life.  

After my lengthy treatment battles, I found Cervivor. This became my “go to” group for information, help and support.  I loved it when they said to wear teal & white on Tuesdays.  An idea began to form.  

I attended Cervivor School in 2019 with much help and support from my friends and family.  I honestly don’t remember Tamika’s exact question that day at Cervivor School, but I immediately remember my response, “On Tuesdays, we wear Teal and White.” Thanks Matthew, for the quote from so many years ago!! The idea continues…

I have bought my son several ties and dress shirts in the teal and white theme that he proudly wears to work. I make an effort to post something on my social media accounts about #TealAndWhiteTuesday every week to remind people about cervical cancer, to get your cancer screenings, to get your vaccinations, and to promote awareness. The idea is growing.

In January of 2020 during CCAM, I was invited to Matthew’s place of employment, Hy-Vee. They did a promotion during that year to promote cervical cancer awareness. I had so many more plans for public awareness campaigns, but 2020 had other plans for meeting people.

I was forced to refocus my efforts, and the idea began to fully bloom.  Pandemic boredom = creative, crafting mind flow.  I started off with buying printable iron on sheets and made one shirt.  I wanted more.  I created a better graphic design and had made several more shirts.  I handed out twelve shirts to people, and five of them went to high school age girls. We discussed cervical cancer and the need to take care of yourself, even at a young age.

I made and sold teal and white kitchen pot scrubbers, with proceeds going to Cervivor. I attend the Cervivor virtual holiday party and am now on the CCAM Planning Committee. I tell everyone I meet that health is a PRIORITY in life and do not ignore it! 

I post about cervical cancer and Cervivor so often now on social media to spread the word. I talk about it with my friends and family. I am not ashamed or too shy to share my story with others, no matter who they are.  I want people to know how this affected me, and how I am a stronger person now for the ordeal I survived.

The impact that Cervivor School had on me to advocate and talk about this has amazed even myself.  I was not even sure about going, and here I am a year later involved as I can be and loving every minute of it.    

I love #TealAndWhiteTuesday and dress in it every week, even if I am not leaving the house to go anywhere. I am forever grateful to my family and friends in supporting me to get the word out, and I love how involved they have become to spread the word as well.

Have you ever noticed how many people actually read the t-shirts people wear? Have you stopped yourself to read someone’s shirt as they walk by you? It offers an ice breaker without having to say a word.  

“On Tuesdays we wear Teal and White.” Spread the word.

Karen North lives in Liberty, Missouri. She is a retired registered nurse. Her world is her family, fur-babies, and friends. She is a six-year breast cancer survivor and a four-year cervical cancer survivor. 

Read Karen’s Cervivor story.

Read Karen’s blog post on being both a breast cancer survivor and cervical cancer Cervivor.