Amanda

Amanda, 34 Years Old

My symptoms first began appearing right after Samantha, my youngest child, was born on March 9, 2005. My monthly periods were extremely heavy and painful. They would last as long as 14 days. I would then only get one week before it started all over again. I had to bring a change of clothes with me everywhere I went just in case I started bleeding heavily again. My back was killing me, my legs were hurting terribly, and I was having problems controlling my bladder. I did the logical thing and saw my OB numerous times. He told me that I had endometriosis and to just deal with it the best I could. I became extremely depressed.

Nearly one year later in February of 2006, I visited my OB again out of desperation. I totally fell apart in the exam room. He decided to do an ultrasound on me. A few days later, I received a call from my OB. He said that he wanted to do a biopsy. He wasn’t in a huge rush, and I had my biopsy around the end of March.

One week later I had one of the worst days of my life. The doctor called to inform me that the test results were back in. He needed to see my husband and me as soon as possible. My husband and I were in my doctor’s office two hours later. I found out I had adenocarcinoma of the cervix.

It’s so hard for me to describe what I was feeling that day. I was in shock. I was scared to death. If I died, how would my husband manage to take care of our two small children on his own and support the family? I was also relieved to find out why I had been in so much pain for the past year.

One week later I saw an oncologist for the first time. My OB had set up the appointment on the day of my diagnosis. The oncologist ran some more tests on me. She determined that I was in Stage II. She also recommended that I undergo a radical hysterectomy and lymphadectomy immediately. My husband and I decided it was the only thing to do. Five days later I had my surgery. The surgeon took out 43 lymph nodes and all of my female organs. The cancer had not spread anywhere else, so I did not need chemotherapy or radiation treatment – thank God!

It has been one year now since my surgery. I am doing really well. I am cancer free!

Looking back, I would have done a few things differently. I would have been more insistent that my doctor do more to diagnose the problem. I realize now that I probably should have sought a second opinion or found a different doctor when my OB kept coming up with nothing for so long.

It really bothers me that I can’t bear any more children. We would have loved to have at least one more. Maybe we’ll look into adoption in a few years. Regardless, it was the only choice to be made. My decision made me a survivor.

• Lessons Learned from Amanda’s Story 

· Chronic vaginal bleeding is never acceptable. Steps should be taken to find the cause behind the bleeding and to remedy the situation.

· If you feel that you are not receiving adequate treatment from your doctor, then find a new doctor.