WELCOME to the NCCC Survivor section
Below in this Cancer Survivor section are the very personal stories from women battling cervical cancer and an "archive section" with a few of the past years' stories too. You may also submit your personal story on how you are battling issues related to your cervical cancer or persistent HPV disease.
While this section focuses in on cervical cancer survivors, there will also be comments from women that are battling persistent HPV precancerous lesions and cancer survivors' family members and friends too. As Mrs. Randi Kaye, the co-founder of the NCCC stated; "No one person is a statistic." Each person has their own personal battle. Each of us can focus in on HOPE and define HOPE within the context of our unique experiences.
The women in this section are the true heroes in the cervical cancer battle.
**Click here to add your story**
Posted By : Sonia
Posted On : Jul 21 , 2010
I will never forget when my gyn called me and asked me to come into her office. It was a Monday morning, I knew that she was going to diagnose me with Cervical Cancer. I was shaking all the way from my office to hers. My husband and 2 year old daughter met me there. My gyn walked into the exam room and told me what I had been fearing all along. It was Cancer. I had just turned 30 and my husband and I had been talking about baby #2.
I had seen my gyn the week before. I had another abnormal pap smear, they were common for me, and she wanted to do a colposcopy. I also informed her that I had recently noticed that I would bleed during intercourse. This of course concerned me because it never happened before. During her examination she told me that she was concerned about how my cervix looked and also that my cervix was not centered like it should be. It had diverted over to my left side and it would bleed every time she touched it, she decided to do a biopsy. Needless to say when she called me into her office the following Monday I knew why.
She referred me to the best Gyno-oncologist in the city. He diagnosed me as stage 1b2 and after undergoing chemo, internal and external radiation I had a hysterectomy less than a month ago. 2 weeks after my surgery my oncologist informed me that he received the pathology back from my surgery and that they did not find Cancer anywhere else. I do not need to undergo anymore treatment at this time but I will need to get checked every 3 months. I feel alive again! I'm still recovering from my surgery and no, it was not easy but, I'm Cancer free now. I know it's not easy, it's down right scary. There were days that I wanted to give up but you can't! Don't let it break your spirit no matter how hard it gets, if you do then the Cancer wins, don't let it win. No matter what negative or morbid thoughts may enter your mind there is always something to fight and live for. If nobody else, who better to fight for than yourself?
Posted By : Dina
Posted On : Jul 16 , 2010
Hi, I'm 25 years old, I had my first period when I was 14. I remember having constant vaginal discharges ever since then, that I knew weren't normal. When I was 17 and my sexual curiosity was awakening, I went to the gynecologist for the first time. She also noticed my abnormal vaginal discharge and prescribed antibacterial vaginal creams. They always worked but only for no more than 6 months at a time. Before i decided to become sexually active, my doctor had notices white spots in my cervix. I underwent treatment with vaginal creams again and at that time it seemed to work. Before I had sex for the first time, I had changed doctors at least 3 times, for I was not feeling any of the previous ones!
I had boyfriends with whom I've always used some type of protection and knew it was a monogamous relationship. I've only had 4 partners and lost my virginity when I was 21. I became a ski instructor and the constant traveling made it hard to follow a strict more precise analysis, diagnostic and treatment of what I've had for 10+ years now.
In 2008 my white spots were still there but my discharge had gone down a little. I was out of the country until this year when I went to another gyn I feel extremely comfortable with. I had a pap and noticed a lot less discharge again yay! but my white spots were covering 3/4 of my cervix and were as white as a ghost !! She did a biopsy and will get results next Tuesday. However, she scheduled a laser surgery for the 29th. She said if we didn't take care of it now, I would for sure have cancer. She's constantly trying to calm me down and being very supportive of my delicate situation. But I cant stop thinking that I'm only 25 and I'll get diagnosed with cancer. I cant sleep and have massive heartburns.
I'm trying to stay as healthy as I can, eating good, working out every day twice a day, trying to relax and be positive...my doctor said a lot of times, our psyche can definitely affect out physical condition as well. But all I can think of is today's electrocardiogram for my pre-surgical exam and next Tuesdays maybe, maybe not debacle!
Posted By : Pearl
Posted On : Jul 13 , 2010
Hello all, I am 35 years old and have regular PAP tests. At least every 2 years. I have never had any come back normal. A few years ago, maybe 5? I went to the ER because I had an ovarian cyst that was bleeding. They did a pelvic exam and the ER doc told me he saw something on my cervix. I remember him saying not to worry and that it is fairly easy to take care of these things nowadays. I just remember thinking \"oh my God, he thinks I have cervical cancer\" I immediately called my gyn. the next day and he got me in immediately because I was pretty hysterical. He did an exam along with a pap and told me my cervix looked completely healthy, he said \"pink and healthy, just like it should look.\" My pap came back normal.
He said he wasn\'t sure why the ER docs saw redness or irritation, maybe they had scraped it when they inserted the speculum.
Fast forward to last week, had been experiencing yet more symptoms of ovarian cysts. I have had these since a teenager so I know how they feel. My breasts were also tender. My family physician did a breast and pelvic exam and a pap. I asked how my cervix looked and he said he saw some \"spots\" on it. I asked him if he ever saw spots on other cervixes and he said that yes he had but didn't really elaborate. He told me not to worry. (of course! yeah right!) I don\'t remember if he said white spots or red spots but for some reason red sticks out in my mind. I have no symptoms of infection like yeast or anything. I looked up cervical cancer on internet and the symptoms are similar to ovarian cyst symptoms. Luckily, I have never noticed any unusual bleeding other than my periods have always been irregular nearly my entire life. But no blood after sex, no pain with sex. I have right leg pain several days before I start my period but again, I have had that since a teen.
Another detail, I started my period 3 days after the pelvic exam, yes, a normal period.
So, I am left with years of normal pap tests and now I have \"spots\" on my cervix. I am terrified. I think I am almost ready to hear that I have advanced and invasive cervical cancer. It is horrible and I am paralyzed right now. The results are coming in tomorrow. (I called the Dr. today) I had to call off work tonight because I can\'t concentrate on anything ( I am a Registered Nurse and need to focus well.) Yes and I know as an RN I should be more analytical but I just can\'t. I am scared. I think that if they can SEE spots then it must be advanced cancer and if not, what else is it???
The only thing that makes me feel a little better is that someone saw something 5 years ago but ever since then my cervix has appeared healthy. ( and I always ask!)Also, and this is VERY embarrassing, before the Dr. did my exam I was changing my clothes and took a paper towel and wiped really hard my vagina and all around because I wanted to be clean for the exam. Could that have caused a problem? I doubt it but just covering everything.
So, here I sit. In 23 and 1/2 hours I should know the results. If anyone has ever had this experience or even remotely shared some single detail please let me know how it turned out for you. I am begging to feedback. Thanks you.
Posted By : ashley
Posted On : Jul 08 , 2010
shakeema
I, like you always get my yearly paps. Last year i had one come back abnormal. Of course i went through six months of tests and my dr.\'s office was almost like a second home. In the end i needed to have surgery. When I talked to my dr. about options she suggested that i have laser surgery instead of some of the other procedures, such as a LEEP. The reason we went with this is because i am only 25 and still want to have children like you. She said that laser was better for my future chances to conceive. I have now gone through a year of normal paps! everytime i received a clean pap i felt like i had won the lottery! If you have a chance i would talk to your dr about possible other surgery options to ensure your fertility. I do suggest asking questions. What we went through is not an easy thing to deal with, but their are options. Do not feel bad about crying. I did it too. This is a VERY scary thing to go through. You are not alone! We have all done it. It does not mean that you are weak...just having the strength to be proactive about this is amazing. You are a strong woman and will make it through this! Please keep us posted!
Posted By : Nicole
Posted On : Jul 08 , 2010
To Barbara (entry december 15, 2009)
Our situations are very similar. I'm still dealing with intestinal issues and I will reach my 5 year in December of this year. I've been going through loads of tests, have had a couple hospital trips because of pain/nausea/vomiting/constipation/diarrhea. Like you, I go through periods of time where I feel pretty darn good.
It seems there's no rhyme or reason or consistency to the pain and diarrhea etc. The latest test results I'm waiting for is for an MRA. They're checking out the vascular system in my abdomen.
Anyway, I wish I could get in touch with you and compare notes. I'm sure we have lots of them. Any more progress??
Posted By : Jessica
Posted On : Jun 30 , 2010
I\'m 38 years old and when I was around 24 I had an abnormal pep and was diagnosed with HPV and had cryo surgery to get rid of it. Flash forward to 2008: I had a Mirena IUD placed and had very lite periods and no out of the ordinary bleeding. Then, about 4 months ago I started having very irregular bleeding, watery bleeding with an aweful odor, and more pelvic pain than I\'ve ever had and it\'s on both sides. (my normal pms pain was always on the right side only). Anyway, I wanted to know if anyone knows if my HPV history increases my risk of cervical cancer. Thank you for any input you can provide. Best wishes to each and every one of you.
Posted By : Becky
Posted On : Jun 28 , 2010
I was diagnosed in Jan 2006 with stage 3B cervical cancer. I had internal and external radiation, along with low doses of chemo, and the Dr. thought it was gone. One year later it was back - in my lungs. Distant metastasis is stage 4B, and I have been in treatment most of the last 3 1/2 years. Some treatments like the 1st systemic I tried, I cannot take due to radiation damage(low platelets from chemo will make me hemmorhage.)My 2nd round was a clinical study, Erbitux, which lasted 9 months. In between those 2 I had an embolization when it tried to come back in my cervix. I have currently been on Navelbine for more than a year. Big C is growing very slowly, & I will know next week if I can continue this treatment. I AM BEATING THE ODDS THIS VERY MINUTE! NEVER GIVE UP!!!!
Posted By : shirlee
Posted On : Jun 23 , 2010
I received a phone call from my doctor\'s office in Jan. 08 your pap came back abnormal...Oh that happens all the time its no big deal... was my response...did I hear the hesitance in the nurses voice???? I dont know but that began a long battle battle that I never wanted to engage in...
I went back for further testing... to make a very long story shorter... I was finally diagnosed with 1B cervical cancer... and scheduled for a radical hysterectomy...which I had on April 4 2008...Thank God for my support which came from my wonderful friends and co workers... I recovered quickly but... In July 08 my pap came back showing some cancer cells and even though my wonderful Oncologist thought nothing could be wrong my biopsy showed a few cancer cells....What does that mean???? Well it means Radiation and Chemotherapy... I was terrified... my therapies went so well I was able to work all the way through... I had 28 radiation therapies plus two internal yea!!! those were fun...along with with 6 weekly chemo\'s.... I know this sounds crazy but my chemo helped my endure the radiation... so far lots of crazy side effects... but I am here and I am strong and I thanked God every time I under went therapy because I knew the treatments were helping me beat Cancer! My support was unbelievable My friend gave me a card everyday before treatment... she and her husband bought me a special live strong shirt and jacket to wear to treatments...and they provided live strong bracelets for all of my co-workers to wear until I completed treatment... Bottom line you need support...I pray everyday that I remain strong and healthy....so far so good...I go for check ups every three months....I thank God for my friends and family I hope that each of you have the support you need to get through this.... We have to support each other... I just participated in the Race for the Cure in St. Louis I wish there were something for the rest of us because were survivors too...
Posted By : michelle
Posted On : Jun 21 , 2010
I am 29 years old i was married eight months and have a beautiful daughter age 1 yrs at the time i received the news i had stage 2b cervical cancer on my daughters first birthday and when the press was full of such sad time jade goody story. i had not had test for 10years and had no symptoms which gave me any idea that i had cancer so this news devastated me and my family i felt like my whole world had ended and was going to dy and i was so young and had a beautiful family that i would leave behind and what would happen to my baby girl i wanted to film every second of my life from that day of that newsit was soul destroying but i got through it with my amazing family their love and support and a fantastic team of consultants at cambridge.Luckily i was able to have a radical tracheletomy and no further treatment was needed apart from3 monthly check ups i am now sat waiting for that letter to come back saying CLEAR until the next 3 months which is such a stressing time.i feel like last few months have been exhausting and i will probably get hit with the fact that i had cancer next year your world goes so fast from the day you receive that devastating news and it doesn't sink in till one day your sat and suddenly think about what a devastating time you have been through. i would never of got through this without my family and seeing my baby girl every day thinking i got to be strong as i in your life forever.i am so lucky to be here and not needing further treatment and still with a chance to have more children. life is so precious so please take care of yourself and go for checks and dont leave it late like me i am so fortunate that i had it in time that it did not take me from been a mum and living my life see my daughter grow up.
since having my op i also had my lymph node removed which has caused me great pain in my right thigh and numbness i have tried lots of pain killers and my consultant said it was my nerves causing this pain does anyone else suffer the same please help me with any advice. ?????? thanks and take care be aware love to you all keep positive xx
Posted By : Hopeful
Posted On : Jun 17 , 2010
I was recently diagnosed with HPV and like so many on here feel like its an early death sentence. I get irritating pinching around where I'm guessing my uterus and ovaries and glands would be, its really concerning me.
