I am woman. I am strong.

I am a 27 year old cancer survivor, wife and mother of 2.

I was diagnosed with cervial cancer this past year. The night before Thanksgiving I got a call from my Doctor. She told me the bad news.

It all started with pelvic pain during my pregnancy. I had a normal pap, I was about 10 days pregnant at that time. After I had our son my 6 week post-natal exam was normal. I continued to have pelvic pain and bleeding. I had thought my pelvic pain was hip pain and was referred to an orthopedic doctor. After going through 2 and reporting my abnormal bleeding my OB GYN's nurse (multiple times), my "regular" doctor told me I had to be seen my OB. I was in the process of switching to a new one since I was tired of being blown off by my original OB's Nurse, but could not get in with them (since it was so close to Thanksgiving). So I had to go back to my old OB. That's when they found an 8 cm mass on my cervix.

The day before my birthday I had my first treatment chemo and external radiation. I had chemo once a week and external radiation Monday - Friday. I did NOT loose my hair (on my head: ). Radiation will cause one to loose hair in the area they're treated in. I later on internal radiation as well.

Radiation will cause the ovaries to stop working.

I did have a full abdominal hysterectomy about 3 - 4 months later, once I had finished all of my treatments.

My friends and family were wonderful through everything. I am so thankful for them.

I am about 4 weeks post hysterectomy. My pelvic pain returned while I was still in the hospital, this is my new challenge. Another challenge I will conquer.

I am so much stronger than I ever knew. I've been hit with my greatest challenge in life and I made it.