For years, my husband and I struggled with infertility but finally, after drugs, procedures and lots of heartbreak, we were finally blessed with a baby (I already had an 11 yr old daughter from a previous marriage). Just 2 short years later in 2006, at the age of 34, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. All I could think about at first is, I was just handed a death sentence. That is what people think when they hear the ”C” word. My own father passed away from cancer when I was 22. I struggled with dealing with my cancer. I didn’t even know I had it until it was already gone but I could NOT stop thinking about the what if’s…What if it comes back?….What if they didn’t get it all?…What if I die? I want to see my kids grow up and have families of their own. Finally, after 2 years of good results and clean scans, I allowed myself to hope.
We started trying to have another baby almost immediately after I was cleared from giving birth to our daughter because of the infertility issues. After I had finally accepted that I had cancer, after my routine annual exam, I was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2008. My PAP came back with clean but a polyp that had been removed came back with pre-cancerous cells. With my history of cancer, as a precaution, my doctor recommended a hysterectomy. The biopsy of my uterus came back as actually being cancerous. Thank GOD I listened to my doctor!! I think the devastation of knowing I would never be able to give birth again (remember we had been actively trying for more than 5 yrs) was harder to deal with than the cancer diagnoses. Because I had never had to have chemo or radiation, (I took the radiation pill after the thyroid cancer)and because BOTH times surgery had removed the cancer before I even knew I had it, I never thought of myself as a cancer survivor…..I felt guilty thinking of myself that way because I did not have to endure the treatments. I didn’t feel like I had ”earned” the right to call myself that. I now know differently. I was just blessed in the fact that mine was caught early enough both times.
I still have the ”what if” fears but I have been blessed with not only a second chance but also a third chance at life. You never know what is around the corner so embrace it with all you have and ”LIVE!!” I fought like a girl and I am now a 5 yr and a 3 yr cancer SURVIVOR…Thank you for what you are doing with this site. If I had had this 5 years ago, I would not have wasted 2 years of my energy on negativity and fears.
Kim
Florida
Submitted September 15, 2011
This article is intended to convey general educational information and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
Kim I wish you only a cancer free life . I my self have A story I was recently diagnostic with Endometrial hyperplasia Atipical and was told I need a hysterectomy. But not having any Health Insurance my doctor will not do it. So I am on a drug called Megace to hopefully keep it in the pre cancer stage. I am 56 years old and I can’t tell you the tears I have cried because of the fear of it becoming uterine cancer . I myself had infertility problem when I was younger my husband and I were married 11 years before I had the Joy of my life Nicki and then by the grace of God I had my Sarah but she Pasted away at age 5 from AML the doctors never diagnostic. And my 25 year old daughter was told she has PCOS which is one of the main causes to Endomertail Hysperplasia. Scared for her yes I am But right now I am Looking for some help to remove my Uterus before it becomes cancerous . I am ashamed to say I live in a country that would let there own go without medical attention to have a pre cancer condition removed I guess I will probably Die from this.