I had just returned from a trip to the US with my mum. I was so exhausted and was getting mild abdominal cramps. I thought the cramps were because of the stress of the trip but that was not the case. A couple of days later, I woke up in the middle of the night, sensing that I was bleeding profusely. I rushed to the bathroom only to discover that the blood was flowing out of me like water from a tap. It was horrible. I was taken to the emergency room and I knew in the back of my head that something was seriously wrong. The doctor examined me and ordered a biopsy. I was kind of prepared for the results and knew what my doctor was going to tell me. I had cervical cancer. Fortunately, the cancer had not spread much and was confined to the cervix. However, I had to undergo radical hysterectomy with lymph node removal, which meant I could not have children. I still get depressed thinking about it, but at least I am happy that I survived and this experience taught me to value the more important things in life.

I had been putting off my routine gynec exam for almost two years now. Finally, I managed to find some time for the PAP smear test and waited patiently for the result. It was abnormal but I did not worry much about it as I had had an abnormal PAP result few years back also. So I had to go back for my second PAP test, which again came back abnormal. My doctor told me that the tests showed precancerous cells and that they could be removed. I was shocked at first because I was young and healthy and never experienced abdominal pain, irregular bleeding or other such symptoms. However, I felt relieved about the fact that the cancer cells could be removed. I prayed to God everyday and my close friends and family were also praying for my fast recovery. It has been a year since this incident and I am cancer free today. I make it a point now to go for my check ups regularly.

I was looking at my home pregnancy test stick and couldn’t believe my eyes. It was positive. After years of trying to conceive, my prayers had been answered. I took another test just to be sure and then called my husband to give him the good news. He was ecstatic; we had never been happier in life. I went to my gynecologist for the first appointment very apprehensive and excited at the same time, not knowing what to expect. What happened at the check up was nothing short of a horror story. The doctor noticed blood during the PAP test and immediately suggested a colposcopy and biopsy. I could not believe my ears, this could not be happening to me. All my dreams about pregnancy shattered. No matter which treatment I chose, my baby would not live. It was the most difficult period of time for me. Fortunately, my dear husband stayed by my side and was a huge pillar of support for me. Today, although I can no longer bear children, my husband and I are closer than ever and we hope to adopt a child some day.

I felt something was wrong with my body when I started bleeding in between my periods. It was dark brown and rusty in color, as if it was old blood. My doctor suggested at first that it could be because of the pill. But things kept worsening and the blood was now fresh and red. I rushed to my gynecologist and he suggested immediate colposcopy and a biopsy the next week. I took all these tests as routine check-ups and did not let get myself worried sick. But when the results came and the diagnosis was cervical cancer, I was crushed. I couldn’t stop crying and started imagining all sorts of things about not being able to bear children and even death. I underwent hysterectomy to remove the cancer. I shall never forget this experience, no matter how negative it is; it has made me more focused and determined in life.

It was a routine visit to my gynecologist for my yearly PAP smear and I was confident of getting normal results as I have a healthy lifestyle. Little did I know, things were not that normal. I got an abnormal PAP smear result. I was still not very worried, thinking it was HPV and not cervical cancer. I should have been worried because what my doctor told me next turned my life upside down. A biopsy confirmed that I had cervical cancer and it had spread into my pelvis cavity. My oncologist recommended chemotherapy and radiation to help shrink the cancer and make surgery in future possible. I felt very numb throughout the treatment. I fixed a smile on my face and kept telling myself everything was fine. My family was there to support me and to look after my kids. I am cancer free for three years now and living a happy and healthy life.