Cervical Cancer Survivor

Cheryl

Illinois

In 2001, at the age of 35, I was diagnosed with Stage IV Cervical Cancer and underwent a radical hysterectomy. Many people have questioned me since that time as to whether or not I was receiving regular pap smears, etc. Contrary to what they might think, I went to my doctor regularly, every year, on schedule. Only one time prior had I had an abnormal pap result, which at follow-up came back normal. It wasn't until I switched doctors due to a move that the new doctor discovered something that looked "odd" on my cervix. Why didn't my regular doctor notice this? It's not as though Stage IV happened overnight. There definitely needs to be more awareness surrounding gynelogical cancers. I am a divorced mom of three beautiful children - glad I'm seeing them grow up - hoping other women get the chance to see their children do the same.

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Elective Surgery?

Submitted by Laura on January 11, 2011 - 11:49.

Hi Cheryl,

I, too, am a cancer survivor, 8 yrs. out from Stage I breast cancer. My oncologist has suggested that I get a complete hysterectomy since my family history is so bad, both mom and aunt had BC, Dad died from stomach cancer, and my brother died this past summer from pancreatic cancer.

What is your opinion on Elective surgery? My brother once told me, "are you gonna cut off ur head so that u don't get brain cancer?" Is that the answer, cutting out all organs??

Thank you,

Laura

Hi Cheryl, Your story helps

Submitted by Rachel on September 9, 2010 - 18:41.

Hi Cheryl,

Your story helps heal me. My mother died of Lymphoma of the Liver a year ago. She was released from one hospital after being told that she was faking her deteriation and that she needed to do something for herself, "your mother is lazy". I then took her to the well renowned medical center in Houston, TX 2 days later. They admitted her and 2 weeks later told us she had stage 4 Lymphoma of the Liver. It was awful, she died 7 days later! She had suffered for 6 months telling me she was in pain. I am so glad to have this site to be able to talk with some one else who has gone through it and survived but will understand my story or rather her story!

Thanks