In 2014, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 49. I opted out of chemo due to being scared of the side effects, but accepted the full radical hysterectomy suggested by my oncologist. In 2016, the cancer returned and attached itself to my pelvic bone. I then knew this was serious—Stage 4, which means it had metastasized to another area. I underwent 6 months of chemo, once a month for 3 consecutive days, and 2 weeks of radiation.
While going through radiation, the hospital offered spiritual healing, and I took it. I took all the help I could receive fighting this monster. It’s best to follow your oncologist’s suggestions, but the most important thing—and what I believe helped me become a survivor—was my drive to win and never letting cancer take the wheel. I lived my life as if cancer had never invaded it. I enjoyed every single day, refusing to give even one day to that disease.
Here is my photo from my first round of chemo. I STILL smiled in the face of cancer—and I beat it!
Suzanne
OH
Submitted 03/15/2026
This story is intended to convey a personal experience and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical advice.
