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 : Tina, Homer, Mi
Posted On : Sep 04 , 2005
April 28, 2005
My name is Tina and I am 25 and 19 weeks pregnant I have 2 other wonderful children daughter 7, and Son 6 and a wonderful husband of 5 yrs whom is the father of all my kids. On April 26, 2005 I was told at my prenatal checkup that my pap came back abnormal with a Low Grade Lesion on my cervix and my doctor is sending me to a OB/GYN ever since my sons birth 11/13/98 I have had had 3 consecutive miscarriages the first 2 were shocking but was not truly upset because we were not ready to have another child but the last one 1/31/04 was very devastating because we were looking forward to having another and as time went on I found out I was pregnant again on 1/31/05 was very happy to know that all was going well and I have made it this far in my pregnancy but then I get this news I have had regular checkups so this is very shocking news and worried how this might affect my pregnancy now so for now I wait to see my OB/GYN for a colscope I am very scared but do know that after this baby we want no more kids that has been decided long before I became pregnant.
Posted By : Amye, Antioch, CA
Posted On : Sep 04 , 2005
April 28, 2005
I am a 33 year old mother of 3. Last year 7/15/04 I had to have a full hystorectomy. I had had a pap come back abnormal, this was in Nov 03. I did the coneopsy and they thought they had gotten it all. I went back for a PAP after that and I was told that it had moved into my cells. So I did the hystorectomy. My mother has been fussing at me to go and get another PAP done but I am afraid. No one seems to understand my fear. It seems like every time I walk into my doct office for the past 3 years I have been told something bad. I am so afraid but I know I need to go. My aunt told me that there is a blood test you can take to detect cancer in your body. Does anyone know about this and what it is called?
Posted By : Vicki
Posted On : Sep 04 , 2005
April 28,
I was just diagnosed with Carcinoma in situ. I had my first abnormal pap in October of 2004, followed by 2 colposcopies, 5 biopsies, and
a leep. The leep and cone biopsy revealed carcinoma in situ and that he did not remove all the tissue. He asked me if I wanted any more kids ( I only have 1) and I answered yes without thinking. he wants to wait 3 months before proceeding. Not sure if he is taking healing time into consideration or me wanting more children. I will meet with him in 2 weeks for post surgery follow up. Since the first leep didn't eradicate it all, will he do another? Anyone have a similar story they could share? This has progressed very rapidly, in approx 6-7 months from first abnormal pap. I feel liking sitting back and waiting is inviting it to become invasive. Feel free to email me please with your experiences, both good and bad. I just want to be informed.
Posted By : Precious, West Palm Beach, fl
Posted On : Sep 04 , 2005
May 3, 2005
I was bleeding for about 2 weeks straight when I thought its time to go to the dr. me being scared of needles and hate Dr's visits set-up my appt. they immediately did a pap as well as some blood work and told me
to come back in two weeks. i'm thinking to myself its something mild
everything will be ok. i call the dr office to get results, figure I could do it over the phone instead of making the trip. the way the nurse spoke to me sent a chill and i knew something was wrong she insisted I come in and speak with the dr, in which I did he said my pap came back with stage 3 pre-cancer and I needed a leep right away. I had my leep do 4 days later and was told they would scrape the upper areas to make sure everything was fine, a day later I was told I have cervical cancer and now awaiting to see the cancer specialist, I’ve already been told if I don't have a hyst I'll probably be a stat in about 2 years, I'm only 28, thank the lord I have already had my kids, but I am scared to death. it just seems like things are getting worse I'm putting all my faith in god cause I know in him we can do all things, but its hard.
Posted By : Heidi
Posted On : Sep 04 , 2005
May 3, 2005
I found out 2 weeks after my pap test, Jan 19, of 05 that I had severe cervical cell changes they had to further investigate. I had a colposcopy done on Feb.28th. 3 days later my Dr. called me and said I had severe dysplasia but no cancer present. I was then scheduled for LLETZ conization on April 13th. I was so scared for those 2 weeks between my surgery and my post-op checkup. When I went for my checkup she came in the room and told me that the margins are clear of any abnormal cells. I felt as if a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. My Dr. knew I was so nervous about all of it. So she kept on top of letting me know things asap. She didn’t hide anything from me! I have never had an abnormal pap test before in my life. but now at the age of 28 and after 1 child I did. So, it goes to show. Keep up w/ your exams. You never know what is happening and how bad it could be!
Posted By : Chris, Springhill Florida
Posted On : Sep 04 , 2005
May 8, 2005
My friends always said "when you hit your 40's everything falls apart" how true. For starters I know how truly blessed I am. There’s no way I could have gotten through all of this without GOD. anyway, I had a abnormal pap in 92, which the Dr said don't worry that’s normal with polyps. Ok, so I went on with my life. All this time I had very bad periods, I was stressed, over weight, so I didn't think nothing of it. seven years later I started getting a nasty discharge along with my period lasting 3 to 4 weeks at a time. One of my customers at the time was a obgyn. I asked him to see me and sure enough it was cervical cancer. I could not get insurance (no big surprise) so I moved in with my daughter. Big mistake, she treated me like crap. But again thanks be to God I made it. I started off with chemo and radiation for 6 weeks, then 3 internal radiation. Had my surgery, came home and was wondering why my insison was hurting and the pain meds weren't working. I had a bad infection, and right there on the exam table the Dr opened me up. lived like that for 6 months.nurses coming 2 times a day. Finally it closes and I go for my first exam postop and they find another mass. Here I was just wanting to get on with my life. Guess again. Ct showed nothing. ultrasound showed the mass and shortly after another surgery. Before I forget, I was told this news on Sept 11 2001. At times I feel guilty as to did I live an not all those people? I still haven't found
that answer. Anyway it is 2005 and I am cancer free. Thank you God. Reading all the stories on this site brought me to my knees. I thought I had it so bad, but now I see I didn't. I'll deal with my receceole, my spastic bladder any day.
Posted By : Lynette, Arapahoe, NC
Posted On : Sep 04 , 2005
May 17, 2005
I am a recent cervical cancer survivor. I am 35 years old with one nine year-old daughter. I was diagnosed on 12/30/04 (what a new year). I have always been the healthy one in my family. I had never been sick nor had I ever had any female problems. In 04 I had a bad paps all year with a leep cone performed on 12/13/04. The biopsy showed I had cervical cancer, so I underwent surgery having a radical hysterectomy. Five weeks later I was undergoing radiation and chemo. I also had one implant radiation treatment. It has been a long year for me and my family, but we all have made it through. Through the grace and love of God, I have survived all of my treatments while working 30 hours a week. With many prayers, I have done very well. I have been very tired and have had to get procrit shots to build my red cell count. I don't know what I would have done without my family, friends and church. I believe that having cervical cancer has changed me in a positive way. Since I am still young, I am afraid of getting cancer again. I have been put on estrogen therapy to help the menopausal symptoms. I understand that estrogen therapy can cause breast cancer, which is in my family history. I am very scared, but I know that God will be there to help me through anything.
Posted By : Kelly
Posted On : Sep 04 , 2005
May 18, 2005
Three years ago, when I was 32 years old, my husband and I finally decided it was time to start a family. I went to my doctor for a pre-pregnancy checkup, including a pap. My results came back showing adenocarcinoma cells, and my colposcopy showed microinvasion. Because my husband and I did not yet have children, we elected for the most conservative treatment to preserve my fertility rather than the usual hysterectomy. I had a cold knife cone biopsy that showed clear margins. Following a year of clean follow-up paps, my gynecological oncologist gave me the OK to try to conceive. Unfortunately, for a year we had no luck, due to cervical stenosis as a result of the procedure. However, through intrauterine insemination, we were able to conceive. Our precious daughter is now four months old, and I feel very blessed.
Posted By : Cristina, Dania, FL
Posted On : Sep 04 , 2005
May 18, 2005
Hello there, my name is Cristina. I am a 28 years old and single mom of 6 children and scared. My mother just passed away of cervical cancer. When she first found out she had cervical cancer it was way too late. My mother was a busy woman and she didn't put her health first. She had not gone to the gynocologist since after i was born. When she finally went 4 years ago the cells were so rampid that the doctors opted for internal radiation and very minimal kimo. She did this off and on for about a year. The radiation and kimo worked and she was able to live 2 more years of life cancer free. In 2004, i beleive, she went back to the doctors for a check up and they ran some tests and found that the cancer was back. This time though the cancer was in her vertabrae, limpnoids and the liver (or kidney can't remember which one it was). Well they immediately put her on kimo. This was very hard on her. She almost immediately lost all of her hair. They were able to rid the cancer in her limpnoids and her vertabrae. So they continued the kimo treatments to get rid of it in her Liver (kidney?). They started some more tests in January 2005. In these tests they found out that the kimo was not working. They wanted to switch kimo, but by that time they were unable to give her more kimo due to her platelettes being to low. Needless to say the doctors were tring. A nurse was coming twice a day for 6 days. She would receive fluids through an IV and get weekly blood work done. Eventually she was unable to get up and do anything for herself. My father took the time off from work to be with her. He cared for her and cared for her and we all prayed she would get better. Well one day the doctor called and said he recommends that hospice come in. At that time my mom's pain on her scale was 10+. Three days after hospice came in she passed away. She was a beautiful woman, wife, mother and grandmother. She always knew what to say and do. I am scared about myself. I have not been to a gynocologist in 2 ½ years. When I was going the last two times in a 6 month period, my paps came back irregular. So they went in and did a biopsy and found a little white speck they said and removed it. This happened on both visits. I heard the doctor say something about HPV, but she never told me if I had it or not. I am worried. I do not have insurance and do not have finances to afford a doctor. Do you know were i may be able to go to get testing done for no cost or very minimal cost. Please assist and thank you for allowing me to publish my story on this beautiful site.
P.S. I am scared for my children. I don't want them to have to go through the same thing as my sister and i did. By watching our mother die and couldn't do anything to help.
Posted By : Brandi, Donaldsonville, La
Posted On : Sep 04 , 2005
May 19, 2005
Two years ago my gynecologist's office called me and said you need to have a colposcopy done! For 2 years in a row I had an abnormal pap, but my doctor just put me on antibiotics (she said it was and infection) and didn't check on it again until the next year. Well the 3rd year pap came back abnormal and she finally suggested I have a colposcopy done. (I am the type to get regular check up's for everything) I had lost my job and no longer had health insurance, so I went to a charity hospital. They did the colposcopy and found precancerous cells. I continued to alternate pap smears and colposcopys every few months. My condition went from Moderate Cervical Dysplasia to Severe Cervical Dysplasia within one month. My doctor suggested a cervical cone biopsy, that was Friday and on Tuesday I had surgery (July 2004). For some reason after surgery my cervix did not want to heel, it stayed very sensitive, it took 6 months for the bleeding to stop enough to have a follow up exam. Initially the follow up exam showed that all of the cancerous cells were removed with surgery. Now approximately 10 months later (May 2005) my latest pap is showing new precancerous cells again. I was tested for HPV but it came back negative. I am 25 years old and my only true life goal is to have a family of my own - my own children. Hopefully I will not need more surgery! Good luck to everyone facing this disease and I keep you all in my prayers. Stay strong! >
