Tricia

It seemed as if life was moving along just as it should be, and then one day, it all changed. I am 33 years old, have a terrific husband, 2 beautiful children and nieces and nephews that light up my world, except now, I had cervical cancer. I am healthy, fit, had two easy pregnancies and never a gynecological issue. How could this be?

After a routine pap, the doctor discovered I had HPV. A complete shock, he wanted to do a colposcopy. And then the phone call came…adenocarcinoma in situ. Excuse me, are you saying I have cancer?

What happened from there has since all melded together. Lots of research, talking, crying, stressing, reflecting, regretting and more crying. I had never missed an OBGYN appointment, don’t smoke and there’s no family history. It just didn’t make sense and it never will. It doesn’t have to. Since being “diagnosed” in September, I have had a cone biopsy and hysterectomy. Goodbye adenocarcinoma in situ.

What I have lost, is nothing compared to what I have gained: perspective, a greater appreciation for family and friends. I feel blessed to have a husband that gives me all the strength I’ll ever need, a daughter and son who give me all the joy I’ll ever need and a mother who takes care of me like no one else in the world.

Then you have all the angels that help make you a survivor. Friends and co-workers, people like Matthew Zachary (I’m Too Young For This) and Tamika Felder (Tamika and Friends) that do the extraordinary to let you know you’re not in the fight alone.

So while my days at Sloan Kettering are over (hopefully), the days of living my life with this new chance I’ve been given, to help women like me, have only just begun.