Cervical Cancer: A Survivor's... Health Article

By: Debra Sickles

My name is Debra and I was diagnosed with cervical cancer. I underwent a radical hysterectomy at the age of 37. My purpose for writing this story is to reach out to all women around the globe so that they will have a better understanding of meeting with their OBGYN on a yearly basis, as I do not feel there is enough emphasis placed on this disease.

It had been three years since I had a pap smear. I was the type of person who was too busy, worked for a corporation, and thought that cancer would not affect me. Therefore, I did not have my yearly exam with my OBGYN. I felt my career was more important than my health.

I decided to go away for a week to visit my parents in Florida. I had not been feeling well, but I chalked it up as stress and went anyway. Unfortunately I became very ill during my vacation. I went for tests and I was told that I had strep throat and mono (not a fun vacation).

When I arrived home, I followed up with my General Practitioner, as I was not getting better. Again, blood work was taken and it was confirmed that I had mono. At this point I was still unaware that I had cervical cancer.

A few months went by, and noticed I still was not feeling well so I decided it was time to see my General Practitioner again for a routine checkup with a pap smear. I received a phone call telling me the doctor wanted to speak with me regarding my results. She told me that my pap smear came back abnormal and would need to take another biopsy. She sent me to a specialist who took a biopsy through laser surgery. The results came back abnormal again and he stated that I would need to have another biopsy in the hospital through outpatient surgery. This time the results were more serious. I was told that I had cervical cancer, and because of where the cancer was located it was not easy to locate. However, my physicians were very thorough and proactive in removing the cancer.

My Oncologist was terrific. He explained that he would need to perform a Radical Hysterectomy and cared very much about my mental state as well.

Upon completion of the operation, I was on my feet nine weeks later. I was fortunate that I did not need radiation. Had I put off my yearly exam longer than what I already had, I'm not so sure that I would be here today.

Today I am 100% cancer free. It has been eight years since my operation. I am no longer burning the candle at many ends. I am now self-employed and loving every minute of it. God has blessed me with a new husband, three stepchildren and a step grandson. I am glad I chose to have the operation and seek medical assistance when I did.

Being a cancer survivor has increased my faith level. I feel that God has put this story on my heart to share with each of you. Cancer has a way of changing one's life. I now take care of myself. I no longer have the busy schedule I once did, and when I am busy it's because it's my choice, not someone else's.

Ladies take care of your bodies. Don't wait like I did to have your yearly OBGYN exam. Don't let your busy schedules determine your destiny. Your families need you!

I hope you will find encouragement from this story. As a cancer survivor I have been richly blessed. Today my goal is to enrich women's lives by reaching out to them and letting them know that they truly make a difference.

Thanks for listening.

God Bless,

Debra Sickles