At the end of the year 2019, everything changed.
I had my annual skin check with my doctor and they advised that I may have a thyroid issue. I had bloods taken and when I went back to the GP these results were clear. While I was there, I was reminded that I was overdue for a Cervical Screening Test (CST). I completed this and was diagnosed with cancer.
My world seemed to fall apart and I cannot remember much from that first week. I was first sent to a gynaecologist who confirmed my cancer diagnosis. Here she found the location of the cancer cells was higher up in the cervix than she was comfortable in being able to remove correctly. She then referred me to the Sydney Royal Women’s Hospital (RWH). After the referral to Sydney, I had a bit of time to get my head together and take a breath as I had to wait to be seen.
Two cone biopsies later I am back to being cancer free and I have started my remission journey. I am now one year down. I had a lot of anxiety after my final operation and before my first CST to double check how things were going, so I rang a cancer support organisation and was offered counselling. This support was lifesaving. My anxiety still comes and goes but with each doctor’s appointment I remind myself that I am closer to completing remission.
I booked myself a bridge climb in Sydney in March 2020 after my initial consult at the RWH to celebrate making it though my treatment plan. This was put on hold when COVID hit but I completed this in November 2020 when I was able to. Celebrating good news!