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Geni's story of cervical cancer On Februaury 15, 2006 my world stopped. I heard those awful words, "it's stage 2 carcinoma". Working in a hospital, I knew what this meant and all I could think was, "what about my kids". I then heard my doctor say, "Don't go selling everything you own because you will beat this." When did this start? Well, I am not exactly sure when... I can tell you what I do know. I started noticing changes a year or so before that day. I had slowly noticed changes in my cycle (for lack of a better word here). I didn't think much of it, I was getting older and of course we all know that our bodies change as we get older. I never even really thought that anything would be wrong until around the end of 2005. Things had gotten so bad for me that I was missing work during "that time of the month". I knew something just wasn't right, but was scared to admit it. I had made an appointment to see my doctor for November 2005, but work was so busy that I cancelled the appointment. I went on through the holiday season and in then in January, again I was sent to bed during my cycle. I had a friend that made me promise that I would make an appointment and keep it this time. So, I did. January 26, 2006 I went in to see my doctor. He listened to what was going on and examined me and said he didn't see anything to worry about. He was going to do a procedure to help me out. I was happy when I left that day. During that visit he had ran "pre-op tests" for the procedure that he was going to be doing. Nothing out of the normal, so I again didn't think anything about it. Then, a week later I get a phone call from the office. They told me that when I go in for my "pre-op visit" that they were going to have to do a biopsy. Said that a test came back abnormal, but it was common and I didn't need to worry. After talking to the nurses that I work with, they all said it was common.. so I didn't worry. On February 13, 2006 I went in for my biopsy, it was very uncomfortable and during the visit I becamse scared. It was as if I knew.... It all finally hit home. I really think there was a part of me that knew what was going to be found. Then on Februaury 15, 2006 I got that phone call. On February 20, 2006 I had surgery, a complete hysterectomy. I was in the hospital for a little of 24 hours then able to come home to recover. It was a long, hard recovery, but well worth the results. On February 23, 2006 my doctor called me with pathology reports... he said that he got it all. What a relief! I was able to relax now and let my body heal. I was blessed in the fact that I didn't need chemo or radiation and that once I was recovered from the surgery that my life could go back to some sort of normal. I went back to the doctor in April 2007 for my yearly check-up and I was still cancer free. I live with the thought that this could come back, but with God's grace it won't.... and if it does with God on my side I can beat it again! Do you know that cervical cancer can be caused by a virus? Some strains of HPV can cause cervical cancer! There is a vacination out now that could help prevent some forms of cervical cancer!!! PLEASE be sure to get your yearly check up. Cervical cancer can be beaten if caught EARLY!
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