Q. When did you get, diagnosis with the cancer? As a mother of three boys we can only imagine what was going on through your head so, can you let us know what thoughts and concerns you had when you found out? Who did you go to for support when you first found out?
A. The first time I was diagnosed with cancer was when I was 32. The second time I was 34. I kept the diagnosis to myself for along time.
Q. Did you have any symptoms that made you aware that you may have a health issue? Did the doctor explain to you where it initially stem from?
A. No, I had no prior symptoms, I am just lucky I went for my yearly check-up.
Q. What methods are being used for treatment to rid you of the cervical cancer? Do you have to take medication daily and do you have to take it for the rest of your life or during the treatment of the ailment? What is your good day and what is your bad day in fighting this?
A. Treatments are based on the stage your cancer is in. The first time I received the Loop procedure. This procedure was an outpatient surgery. The second time my cancer had progressed and I had to undergo chemotherapy. I do not have to take an medication for the rest of my life. I had to take a lot of vitamins and stay super healthy when undergoing chemo because it wears on the rest of your body. I have the option to get a hysterectomy or partial. I am going to get this surgery done, but I am not ready for my body and health to go through all the changes that come with it.
A good day for me was waking up with the energy to get out of bed. Being strong enough mentally to push myself through the day and not feeling nausea.
A bad day for me was being so tired and weak, I didn’t have any energy and needing to sleep. I was not able to focus which would hinder my work ethic and made me drained mentally. My body would ache so bad, it hurt to walk or move freely.
Q. HPV, cervical cancer is not spoken of as much as Breast cancer, do you think it is down played in the health industry? Do you feel that it should be a broader platform of awareness to shed more light on the silence of said cervical cancer?
A. Yes this is a topic/ subject that is highly down played. They have vaccines out there for a certain age range for women, but what if you are outside of that. I learned about the vaccine the year I was too old to get it. I plan to bring awareness to cervical cancer that is why I am sharing my story for the first time.
Q. So, how many more treatments you have to go and do they let you know how your body is healing during the treatment or they waiting for the completion of treatments? Emotionally this has to be draining, tell us where do you find the strength and courage to beat this? Do, you ever get discouraged and when you do where do you find your focus to get back and put your gloves on to box it out?
A. I had been undergoing chemo from April-November 2016. I am currently in remission. The next step for me is to undergo surgery, but as I previously mentioned, I am not ready for the type of change that comes with this surgery. Since I am in remission I can take my time with my decision. My sister - Monique Feeley, my boys - Reese, Isaac, and Noshi, my niece Lillie and nephew Liam, my Aunt Gwen, my Grandma, and my mom have given me my strength and courage. My best friend Ty Holmes, who has passed away, used to sit on the phone with me every Friday and all night into Saturday before my chemo treatments because he knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep. He was my angel and it broke my heart when I lost him. He came back into my life when the treatments were getting worse for me,
Inspirational 38