She first realised something was wrong when she had a period that lasted for 5 weeks continuously. She was referred to hospital quite quickly and diagnosed with cervical cancer following the first colposcopy appointment. Her treatment started three weeks after her diagnosis. It was almost a relief to be diagnosed as she had been feeling very tired, and she now thinks this was due to having cervical cancer.

She found it difficult telling her family, especially her husband who was very upset about it. It was important to her to tell her children, who were 5 and 11 at the time, as she felt it was something the whole family would have to get through together.

She had 22 sessions of radiotherapy followed by internal radiotherapy, which she found especially difficult. The internal radiotherapy involved 30 hours of lying still in an isolated radiotherapy room in the hospital, and it made her feel very ill and she experienced extreme pain during the procedure. She felt completely cut off from the world at this time, and she felt euphoric when it was over.

Her ovaries stopped working following the radiotherapy, so she had to go onto HRT. She wishes that someone had explained the physiology of the treatment after effects and what hormonal changes may have occurred as a result. She also wonders if her bladder has been weakened by the radiotherapy.

Initially, the radiotherapy also led to vaginal dryness, so she would use lubricants when having intercourse with her husband. She can’t have any more children due to the treatment, but they were not planning on having any more.

Having cancer was a life changing event and an opportunity for her to think about her priorities. She took the chance to slow her life down and found peace in her spiritual life, and now feels as though she is a much more contented person.

She found it very helpful to speak to a friend who had been through cancer, who encouraged her to say positive things to herself when she felt vulnerable or weak. Her message to other women with cervical cancer is to let your family spoil you; and to allow yourself to be a bit vulnerable.