Survivorship

A Cervical Cancer Survivor’s Story: The Surgery Was Rough, But I’m Still Alive

This is a cervical cancer story by Talitha Darragh. You can read her full Cervivor Story here.

Anytime I’m going through a hard time, physically or mentally, I try to stay positive. This was especially true when I was diagnosed with cervical cancer for a third time in April 2022. I knew when my original doctor at St. John’s Ascension in Southfield, Michigan referred me to a doctor at the University of Michigan that I was in for a long road ahead. This was no longer about a hysterectomy, the chemotherapy, or radiation therapy—the cervical cancer treatments I had had for my first two occurrences. 

Cervical cancer survivor Talitha Darragh and her three children, Dominic (15), McKenna (7), and Amelia (5).

During my first appointment with my new oncologist, Dr. Uppal, he recommended doing a total pelvic exenteration. The words seemed to be going in one ear and out of the other. I was seeing his mouth move, but not truly understanding what he was saying. By the end of the appointment, I agreed to this major, life-changing surgery.  I was willing to do anything to be here for my three children. The doctors were planning to remove my bladder, bowels, and vagina while also doing vaginal reconstruction using muscle flaps from the back of my thighs. This would leave me with two ostomy bags for the rest of my life. One for urine and one for stool. Not exactly how I had my life planned, but it is what it is. 

A few short weeks later, I remember taking a selfie in the bathroom stall after I used the bathroom for the last time as a “normal person.” I had a big grin on my face as I dealt with stress with humor and French braids in my hair, not knowing when I would be able to shower next. If I can remember right, surgery was 14 long hours. I had three surgeons: my oncologist, urologist, and plastic surgeon. Together, they saved my life. Two of them I have never met, but I trusted God that I was in good hands. I remember hearing them say, “She’s a young mom, this has to be successful.” 

Talitha’s bathroom selfie.

Surgery Recovery? Easier Said Than Done

Thank goodness, surgery was a success, and now it was time to recover. Easier said than done. Doctors were planning on about 10 days in the hospital. Unfortunately, those 10 days turned into six weeks. Because of the vaginal reconstruction, I was unable to sit for six weeks. 

My doctors knew that I had little ones at home and that I wouldn’t be able to heal and rest properly at home, so they had me admitted to a nursing and rehab facility two weeks after surgery. This was where things took a turn for the worse. My abdominal wound opened up, I wasn’t getting the physical or occupational therapy needed, and my nutrition was lacking, which resulted in even worse healing. I had to go by ambulance to my appointments because I couldn’t sit in a car. 

When I went to my first appointment while at the rehab, my doctors saw my decline and decided to keep me in the hospital rather than send me back to rehab. I stayed in the hospital for four more weeks before going home. 

Learning My “New Normal”

While in the hospital, I had to learn my “new normal.” Things were rough, but I never gave up. I was so mentally strong and determined. Maybe this is where my stubbornness is a plus! 

Finally, after six long weeks away from home, I was able to go back to my babies. Coming home was scary because I no longer had the help and support of my amazing nurses. Thankfully, I had a home nurse come by once a week or so. She was able to help me problem-solve and successfully change my ostomy bags without sobbing my eyes out because I couldn’t get them to stick. Overall, things would get easier every day, and I was slowly able to get back to normal. 

Looking Back Today

Here I am today, three and a half years post-surgery. Looking back, I am still amazed at myself. That surgery was huge. I’m still having healing issues, and there are still many bumps that we are trying to iron out, but I’m here, and I’m alive. I’m able to do everything that I did before surgery—swim, work out, ride a bike. 

Unfortunately, I’ve had multiple cancer re-occurrences, but I’m still fighting. Once I beat this cancer, my doctors plan on ironing out some things like repairing my internal vaginal wound that hasn’t healed in three and half years and figuring out why my ureter keeps closing up. to make my life even better. I cannot thank my team of doctors enough. They are truly on my side and want to do what they can to help. I’m truly blessed. 

The Importance of a Positive Mindset

This whole cancer journey has taught me so much in life. More than half the battle is mental. It’s so important that you keep a positive mindset. I would always tell myself, “Doctors are doing their job, nurses are doing their job, I have to do my job, which includes taking care of my body and my mind.”

I had faith in God, my care team, and myself. I pray that you don’t ever have to go through this, but if you do, I promise it will be okay. Sometimes you have to take it one day at a time, one hour at a time, or even one minute at a time. You can do anything for a minute…just keep doing it. Keep your mind positive. I promise, it makes a difference. You can do hard things.

About the Author

Talitha is a cervical cancer fighter who has had six reoccurrences since she was first diagnosed in February 2021. She is currently participating in a clinical trial at Yale University. Talitha loves spending time with her three children, Dominic, McKenna, and Amelia—riding bikes and swimming together in the summertime. Talitha also loves sharing her Cervivor Story. “I love sharing my story because hearing others’ stories has really helped me feel less alone,” she says.

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A Cervical Cancer Survivor’s Story: How Lack of HPV Awareness Turned Me Into an Advocate

This is the cervical cancer story of Anna Ogo. You can read her full Cervivor Story here.

Before my diagnosis, I did not understand HPV, the human papillomavirus, at all. But I was always the kind of person who followed rules. I liked doing what I was “supposed to do.” So when I turned 20 in Japan, received a free voucher from my city for a Pap test, and went in for my first test, I felt proud. It made me feel like I had stepped into adulthood by taking responsibility for my health. The routine Pap test became part of my life, and I never missed a screening.

Anna traveling throughout her early twenties.

Growing Up Without HPV Awareness

In my twenties, I had a few abnormal Pap tests. Each time, I went back for a retest, and the results returned to normal. The doctors told me not to worry, and I didn’t think about it too much. I was busy trying to work hard and play hard during my prime years, and there seemed to be so many things I was “supposed to do.” Once the retest came back normal, I felt relieved, and I was done. I did not know what an abnormal Pap really meant, and I did not know there was an HPV test. (In Japan, HPV testing was not part of routine screening back then. I only received Pap tests, and I had never heard of anyone talking about HPV at all.) Screening felt like a responsible adult task that I simply checked off each year.

When an HPV Diagnosis Led to Cervical Cancer

Years later, when I moved to the United States, I went in for a routine health check. This time, the Pap test came back abnormal again, and the HPV test was positive. I felt confused and unprepared. I had done everything I thought I was supposed to do. I kept wondering how this could happen. That moment led to more testing, a colposcopy, and eventually my cervical cancer diagnosis. Everything moved quickly, and I struggled to connect my past experiences to what was happening now. I had so many questions.

Treatment during the COVID pandemic meant Anna was alone for most of her appointments.

After treatment, I was left with many emotions. The strongest ones were shame and guilt. My heart ached every time I saw the words “cervical cancer is preventable.” It made me feel as if I had failed, even though I thought I did everything I was supposed to do. I felt lost and alone. I often thought everyone else somehow knew more than I did. These feelings stayed with me for a long time. Only now do I understand that it was because HPV is surrounded by silence and misunderstanding.

Learning the Truth About HPV and Prevention

Everything began to change when I found Cervivor. For the first time, I learned what HPV really is, how common it is, and how cervical cancer develops. I learned there are two types of tests (the Pap and HPV test), how screening and follow-up work, why abnormal results matter, and how important early detection is. I also learned about the HPV vaccine and how powerful it can be. These were things I wish I had known years earlier. Being part of Cervivor also taught me that my story has value. Hearing other survivors speak openly made me feel understood and helped me release some of the shame I carried.

Anna at Cervivor School 2022
Anna with Cervivor founder Tamika Felder

As I learned more, I discovered that HPV can be tricky. Most people clear it on their own without ever knowing they had it, but some people do not. There are many different types of HPV, and only a small number can lead to cancer. HPV can also come and go, so even if you test negative at one point, it does not always mean the virus has completely disappeared. Because of this, it can be hard to know who will develop changes and when. Learning these facts from trusted experts helped me understand that what happened to me was not something I caused. It helped me feel more confident and gave me back a sense of control.

Turning a Cervical Cancer Experience Into HPV Advocacy

Becoming an advocate has given meaning to my experience. I now make an effort to stay up to date with new information because things continue to change, and mostly for the better. Tools like self-collection testing give me hope for easier and more comfortable screening in the future. Education is improving. Vaccine access is growing. All of this gives me a sense of hope.

Today, I raise awareness by sharing my story in spaces where honest conversations about HPV and cervical cancer matter. I have spoken at a medical conference in South Korea, standing in front of oncology doctors and sharing my experience not as a case study, but as a person who lived through diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. Being able to speak directly to healthcare professionals has helped me feel that my experience can contribute to better understanding and care.

Anna representing Cervivor at a conference. Cervivor provided her with training, community, and practical materials that she says helped her share accurate information and advocate with confidence.

I am especially passionate about reaching Japanese communities, where conversations about HPV have often been limited. I have written about my journey for a Japanese community magazine in the United States and participated in the Teal Blue Japan project in 2022. Through these efforts, I hoped to share information I never had growing up and to help create space for more open and informed conversations.

In Washington State, my advocacy has focused on prevention and education. I have spoken with pediatric healthcare professionals who work directly with families and are involved in administering the HPV vaccine. I currently serve on the leadership team of HPV Free Washington, where I work alongside others who are committed to reducing HPV-related cancers. I have also been honored to receive a Cervical Cancer Awareness Month proclamation from the Washington State Governor’s Office, as well as one from my local city. These moments allow me to speak publicly about prevention and remind me that survivor voices belong in community and policy spaces.

Anna receiving a proclamation for Cervical Cancer Awareness Month from her city (Kent, WA). Local recognition supports awareness, encourages screening, and opens the door for important conversations about prevention.

Advocacy did not come naturally to me at first. Through Cervivor, I learned how to share my story with care, accuracy, and purpose. I was trained to speak about HPV and cervical cancer in ways that educate without blame and inform without fear. Cervivor helped me see that lived experience can bridge gaps between patients, providers, and communities. That understanding transformed my pain into purpose and gave me the confidence to keep showing up. — Anna Ogo

I want to be part of this progress. I want to help others feel informed, supported, and empowered. I cannot change my past, but I can use my voice to improve someone else’s future. Advocacy has become a meaningful part of my life, and it gives purpose to something that once caused me so much pain.

About the Author

Anna Ogo is a cervical cancer survivor and Cervivor Ambassador whose journey across cultures shaped her passion for education and advocacy. Outside of this work, she loves traveling, spending time with family, and life with her dog. Anna shares her story in the hope that clear information and lived experience can help others feel more confident and supported.