My Story of Cervical Cancer, hope it helps someone.

Noggin said:

Denisa's story
Thank-you for posting your story, my wife Denisa has gone through some of the same things as you and the other women on this board. Her story starts like this.

Pap showed some abnormal cells so she was told they needed to do a LEEP. Leep was done and we were told that all was fine and nothing to worry about. Some spotting was noticed by her and off we went back to doc, colo was done 2 months after LEEP and was told that now we need to get biopsy done. OBGYN Onc came in during biopsy and said it was cancer and we could not wait for results from biopsy to start PET scans.

PET scan showed Stage IIb with lymph nodes up to kidneys positive for cancer.

Six rounds of chemo with cysplatin, six weeks of external radiation and six treatments of internal radiation. Just completed treatments on DEC 2nd 2012. CT scan and visual exam showed no sign of cancer remaining. Her radiation Onc told her about a study in Australia where they give 2 more rounds of chemo after all treatments have been completed. Her OBGYN Onc was not aware of study and looked into it and gave her the option if she wanted to do the 2 more treatments, it is with a different chemo drug than the cysplatin. We are going to do it to give the best chance possible to beat this thing.

I admire all of you ladies that are fighting this and will pray for each and every one of you. Thank-you again for posting your stories. I will update this when we get our first post treatment scan

Up-date
The chemo that we will try is Taxol and Carboplatin, this is a study that is ongoing in Australia. Denisa did not qualify for the study due to the fact that she had a partial hysterectomy back in 2005. When we get our next scan I will update again, but all signs show that my beautiful wife is kicking cancer's butt!!!!!!!

SmplyChel said:

Almost 1 Year out -Update

It's encouraging to read so many responses. Next month will be 12 months for me since treatment stopped. I will have a petscan to make sure it's still gone in April. My last two cervical exams showed no cancer.  I've been back to work since June of last year. I'm not back to 100% yet. I've been very anemic and been through some more test. The radiation damaged my colon and was causing me lots of stomach problems and bleeding issues. I had a colonoscopy in Feb 2013, the doctor said the radiation damaged capillaries and when they grew back they grew back at the surface and just bled constantly. Doctor said he fixed about 80% of them. I've notice the bleeding stop immediatly and my stomach issues whent away as well. I'm still anemic but hopefully that just take sometime to work it self out.

One thing I'm having some issues with is I'm still so tired. My legs hurt from my hips down, all the time. Walking is an issue for me. I'm overweight and have been my whole life, but they weren't like this before the cancer. I wasn't tired like this before either. It's really all I can do to get through the day. Even at night my legs ache. I talked to my family doctor and the oncologist and they really don't think it's from the treatment. However the PA at the Oncologist office told me she was a radiation nurse for years and it doesn't suprise her. They can't stop damage of the good stuff and she's seen lots of nerve damage. Any one else having this issue? I hope and pray that I can get back to before the cancer. Getting through one day without pain would be great too. But I'm not ungreatful for where I'am. I'm happy I beat this, and so glad to be alive and still able to work.

Those of you just starting your journey, you can get through it. The path may look ruff and unbeatable but stand strong and beat it! I still look back and can't believe I did all that I did to get me where I'am today. My family, friends and personal relationship with God are what got me through it.

Thank You!

Hi SmplyChel!

First off, congrats on being cancer free as of today and hoping n praying that your next petscan comes out clean as well.

I was diagnosed with cervical cancer in Aug 2012. After getting over the initial shock, I found this site and it helped me a lot knowing I was not alone.  I’m 40 years old and had gone thru the same symptoms as you did.  I, too, had not been with someone for a long time (over 8 years for me) and for the same reasons (as you did), I went to check myself out.  I was also a big baby when it came to doctors and as well, didn’t get regular paps.  I had a similar diagnosis staged at 2a and same 6 rounds of chemo/ 28 ext radiations.  I did have interstitial brachytherapy (the one with the needles left in me).  My mom (the strongest most loving woman I know) was also the one helping me out through all of this.  So after going thru some really brave stories on this board, I ran into your initial post on 04/29/2012… and it really helped me TREMENDOUSLY.  When I read it, it was like I was living a parallel life with you.  

I felt so connected to your story that I even saved it on my iphone referring back to it on occasions (usually my bad days) because it was written in such a positive manner that it would remind me: “this too shall pass”.  I had so many questions I wanted to ask you at the time but as you and others may know, you’re just overwhelmed with Dr apptmts, chemo sessions, daily radiations, etc etc that at least with me, when you do have the time, I just wanted to be left alone.  I did read a lot of other stories on this site and there are so many courageous women on here but I just didn’t know how to ask, comment or respond to you or any of them without bursting into tears (because of my own problems).

However, my last chemo/external radiation was on 12/10/2012; my last brachy was 01/16/2013 and I have been cancer free as of 02/13/2013! My energy level is still not what it used to be but I’m working on that.  I just wanted you to know Chel that of all of the posts I searched through, yours was the one I kept referring back to thru my treatment process and for that reason, I felt compelled to finally write my first post when I saw you back on the board and tell you that from the bottom of my heart, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR BEAUTIFUL STORY!  Your positive attitude then and even now, has made me go thru this with a smile and I wanted you to know that.  The subject title was perfect… “My Story of Cervical Cancer, hope it helps someone”… well let me tell you, IT HELPED ME A WHOLE LOT!

I hope that your energy level continues to improve and that your pains soon go away.  I didn’t share any details of my physical symptoms because this was more of a thank you letter to you Chel.  But if I can be of any help to any women out there, I will be more than happy to share my story with any of you. I am kinda of a private person and for that reason too, I never asked or commented on this site however, I've changed in many many ways and if I can help one person just like Chel helped me, then I will be more than willing to share my experiences.  It was a rough road but thanks to the women on this site like SmplyChel, I have maintained positive thru this ordeal.   

Thanks for sharing

  Thanks for sharing your story. I also have undergone the same treatments that you have. Here in Canada, I was diagnosed as a Stage 3b because the cancer had gone to my lymph nodes. I had been sick for two years and was told by others that I was going through the changes of life also. I went through 3 different specialists here before I found the one who kind of listened to me. I agreed to let him go in to cauterize my uterine lining, even though I wasn't convinced it was a solution because it was a symptom, and a symptom is our bodies way of communicating to us. I wanted him to go in and see for himself that something was wrong. He found it. I was releived I wasn't crazy. That was March 10th, 2010 and I am still here kicking today. Some days I really struggle with energy levels and fatigue. But mornings are my peak time of day. I saw that you are going through some pain and wondered if you are open to eastern medical practises like acupuncture and reiki. They might be able to help you with pain management. They are the same tools I used for pain management to get through my brachytherapy. I was awake for my 5 brachy treatments. Anyway, I hope you are feeling better these days and am so glad that you shared your story. Take great care,

Hi SmplyChel

Thank you so much for sharing your story.  I was wondering if you could tell me more about your experience after being diagnosed with cervical cancer?  How has your life changed after being diagnosed and going trhough treatment?

Warm Regards

Mel

Thank you...

I just want to say thank you for sharing your story with everyone. I also wanted to share my story. It's not quite cancer, but I am very scared that, that is going to be the next step in my story.

I had never had an abnormal pap until just over six months ago. When my pap came back abnormal my doctor did a biopsy and said it was low grade changes and we would monitor it, and to come back for a follow up in 6 months. Well my follow up was just about two weeks ago. When I went for the biopsy the doctor said it usually goes away by itself and not to worry. So, at my 6 month follow up, I was expecting everything to be fine. Then I get a phone call a week later, from my doctor, saying that it has gotten worse not better. She said, what she could tell from the pap, is that I was in stage 2, and that stage 4 in cancer. She said I need to come back in for another biopsy, to be sure that I am at stage 2. Well, she called me back on Tuesday saying that I am at high grade changes, and she recommends having the cells removed. I have to say that I have been so scared, I am only 27, just got married in July, and thinking about starting a family someday soon. I have also had other health issues going on in my life in the last couple of years. Like a tumor that took over my left ovary and was the size of a grapefruit. They had to remove the ovary and the tumor, thankfully it came back benign. Then I had a nodule in my breast that they did a biopsy on, and they want to monitor that as well for every six months. Now this too...... I feel like it never ends. I try to tell myself that there is someone out there that has it worse and to not feel so bad for myself. But it's hard. I have had so many sleepless nights the last couple of weeks. I feel like I'm walking in a daze each day. Does it get better? Am I being stupid for feeling this way?

 

tondelea said:

cervical cancer

really scared so glad u shared ur story i have stage 2b cervical cancer could not be removed through radical histo it is on my walls so i must start chemo and radiation really scared when u were put to sleep for the internal radatiion was it painful im a big baby too never thought i would be the one with cancer my mon had throat cancer 6 years ago she is in remission i took her to every treatment it was so hard now its me really need someone to talk to who has this same problem

Tondelea,
im sorry you are

Tondelea,

im sorry you are going through this.  I know that it is scary But you will be ok.  I was diagnosed with 2a cervical cancer in 2011 and had a radical hysterectomy, chemo and radiation.  It is a long road but doable.  It was not as bad as I had imagined it to be.  I made it through treatments plus a recurrence and am feeling good today.  You will make it through too.  Hugs and healing thoughts for you.  Let me know if you have any more questions or just want to talk.  We are here for you.

ccfighter said:

Tondelea,
im sorry you are

Tondelea,

im sorry you are going through this.  I know that it is scary But you will be ok.  I was diagnosed with 2a cervical cancer in 2011 and had a radical hysterectomy, chemo and radiation.  It is a long road but doable.  It was not as bad as I had imagined it to be.  I made it through treatments plus a recurrence and am feeling good today.  You will make it through too.  Hugs and healing thoughts for you.  Let me know if you have any more questions or just want to talk.  We are here for you.

Radical hysterectomy

How was the radical hysterectomy to deal with andhHow are you doing? Thanks

monicarose86 said:

Thank you...

I just want to say thank you for sharing your story with everyone. I also wanted to share my story. It's not quite cancer, but I am very scared that, that is going to be the next step in my story.

I had never had an abnormal pap until just over six months ago. When my pap came back abnormal my doctor did a biopsy and said it was low grade changes and we would monitor it, and to come back for a follow up in 6 months. Well my follow up was just about two weeks ago. When I went for the biopsy the doctor said it usually goes away by itself and not to worry. So, at my 6 month follow up, I was expecting everything to be fine. Then I get a phone call a week later, from my doctor, saying that it has gotten worse not better. She said, what she could tell from the pap, is that I was in stage 2, and that stage 4 in cancer. She said I need to come back in for another biopsy, to be sure that I am at stage 2. Well, she called me back on Tuesday saying that I am at high grade changes, and she recommends having the cells removed. I have to say that I have been so scared, I am only 27, just got married in July, and thinking about starting a family someday soon. I have also had other health issues going on in my life in the last couple of years. Like a tumor that took over my left ovary and was the size of a grapefruit. They had to remove the ovary and the tumor, thankfully it came back benign. Then I had a nodule in my breast that they did a biopsy on, and they want to monitor that as well for every six months. Now this too...... I feel like it never ends. I try to tell myself that there is someone out there that has it worse and to not feel so bad for myself. But it's hard. I have had so many sleepless nights the last couple of weeks. I feel like I'm walking in a daze each day. Does it get better? Am I being stupid for feeling this way?

 

Cervical Cancer

Monica, You have every right to be afraid.  Cancer is the most terrifying word in the English language for me.  1 1/2 years ago I started feeling tired.  I also started bleeding very heavy, I was just starting menopause, so I thought it was that or else I thought maybe I needed a D & C.  Its been several years since I had one.  The bleeding got very bad all at once and my boyfriend took me to the hospitol  ER.  I was literally bleeding to death.  I was admitted and the next day tests were run.  I had not been to the doctor in nearly twenty years.  Shame on me, but I am an RN and I just always took care of myself.  It had been ten years since I had a Pap Smear.  Well the bleeding was caused by a very large tumor, they said about the size of a grapefruit.  They were afraid to operate on it, as they thought it would again start bleeding.  I was told I had cancer.  I started radiation treatments two weeks later.  This has been a nightmare, it has lasted since one year ago in April.  April 1, 2014.  The doctors have given me all they can do for me.  I quit all treatment one year ago today.  I am now trying all types of nutritional therapy.  I am doing better since my radiation ended.  But I was burned very bad from the radiation.  I lost one kidney, and I have a nephrostomy tube in the other kidney.  The external radiation was not that bad, but the internal radiation.  I would never attempt that again.  It was the worst pain in my life.  Ten times worse than having my babies.  That is when I stopped treatments is when they attempted to insert twenty needles up through my vagina.  They were to stay in place five days while I received internal radiation.  I could only tolerate the pain for one day.  It was just awful.  I have been back at home for the last year.  I don't know how much the cancer has grown.  I take baking soda three times a day to keep my uring alkaline.  I also eat aspargus twice daily.  I have a doctor that comes once a month to my home to check on me.  I have gained forty pounds.  The doctor keeps telling me that I am doing so good, they can't believe it.  I think positive thinking and nutritional therapy can do wonderful things.  I will keep up a good fight till the end, who knows there might be a miracle out there for us all!  Only good thoughts and well wishes to us all. Rebecca