The Background Story

I feel it's important for people to know the back story, how I got to this point. In hindsight I now realize there were so many signs that I ignored, my body screaming at me that something was wrong.

I had experienced heavy bleeding for 3 weeks when I went to my local health department to seek help. The only result of that visit was an "unsatisfactory" Pap Smear and a suggestion from the nurse to start taking birth control.

Over the next month, the bleeding continued, and large clots starting coming out. I felt tired all the time. I was going to bed early almost every night, but had trouble sleeping. Then came a terrible ache in my neck and upper back, along with trouble breathing & severe headaches. About 2 weeks later, I woke up one morning feeling nauseated and dizzy. I almost passed out going to feed the chickens. My heart was beating like I had just run a marathon, and I seriously thought I was about to have a heart attack. Soon after, I went to see a GYN at the local women's clinic. After an ultrasound and blood tests, they sent me straight to the hospital, due to a critically low blood level of 5.4, for a blood transfusion. About 36 hours & 2 units of blood later, I was released, stating my blood level was stable at 7.9.

Six days later, I went for a follow-up. My Dr. & I both agreed the best course of action was for her to perform a D&C (Dilation and Curettage). She was at a loss as to how to treat me until the bleeding was stopped. She scheduled it for the next day. I didn't sleep well that night, and felt very weak the next morning. At the hospital for surgery, my blood test now showed a level of 5.1. I had to get another 2 units of blood before they would let me go back to surgery. I received a third unit on my way into surgery.

While in surgery, the doctor found the tumor, growing downward from my cervix. The tumor was full of blood, which is where all the bleeding was coming from. She said it started to fall apart in her hands. The Dr. took a biopsy of the tumor and had it sent off for testing.... Cancer.

So here I am, in my late 20's, being told I have cervical cancer. "squamous cell carcinoma with lymphoepithelioma qualities."

And here is where I started doing LOTS of research. This is something I highly recommend. I refuse to be ignorant and let the Drs have control over this situation. It's my body, and it belongs to the Lord.