Cancer of the cervix is the 12th most common cancer in females in the
United States and is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are
found in the tissues of the cervix. Usually it grows very slowly over a
long period of time. The tissues of the cervix go through changes, where
cells that are not normal begin to appear; this precancerous change is
known as dysplasia and is usually found during routine pap spears.
Squamous cells in the most common form of cervical cancer, it is the
cells that cover our body including the cervix, and this makes up about
85% of the cases. Adenocarcinoma (glad cancer) is the other major type
and makes up about 15% of the cases, this is the type that I have and
here is my story:
February 13, 2013: Was the date that I went to see my doctor for my
annual exam and it was business as usual. Approximately two weeks later
my doctors nurse called to tell me that the pap smear had come back
abnormal so they would need to do a colposcopy, sonogram and an
endocervical curettage.
March 5, 2013: I was back at the doctors office for my 2nd exam. I’ve
had a colposcopy done before and it’s always come back normal, so there
was no need for me to be worried. However the endocervical curettage he
did hurt like a mother ****er! That is something I can go the rest of
my life without ever having to do again. I’d have the results in a week
or two.
March 12, 2013: I got the results and again this test came back
abnormal and the first time I heard the "C" word. I would have to come
back again for another procedure called a LEEP.
March 19, 2013: I had my LEEP done this day. When the doctor came in
he said that the concern here was that the results were showing that the
abnormalities were not just on the surface of my cervix but they were
going inside of it, this is also the first time he mentioned I may need a
hysterectomy. A LEEP is where the doctor uses an electric wire loop to
slice off a thin, piece of cervical tissue. In 90-95% of cases this is a
cure to the abnormal cells on the cervix. I was pretty nervous, but
only because I thought it would hurt. Based on the results of the last
exam doctor wanted to take two passes off of my cervix in hopes of
getting all of the abnormal tissue. When I saw the doctor at this
appointment I immediately knew it was time to take this seriously,
although I’ve had LOTS of friends in the past week tell me they’ve had
it done and its nothing. The way he spoke to me and his concern, I just
knew this was bad. I’d know the results in a week. However, it two
agonizing weeks for the results thanks to a computer problem at the
pathology lab!
April 3, 2013: Doctor called me; I knew this can’t be good. All I
remember was “you have mild invasive cancer of the cervix”. Doctor told
me at this point he had to pass me along to a specialist, a
gynecological oncologist, and that treatment would more than likely be a
hysterectomy as this type of cancer is treated through surgery. The
doctor may do radiation but it was unlikely and would depend upon the
staging of my cancer. So began the week and a half from hell dealing
with insurance, and I’ll spare you the details.
Monday April 15, 2013: This was day I was meeting my new doctor at
the Illinois Cancer Care center in Peoria. I knew I didn’t need to worry
based on all the reading I had done but here are I am, walking into a
“cancer center”. I was frightened walking in but walking out I had no
fear at all, my doctor explained cervical cancer, the kind that I have,
how invasive it was and after examining me he also staged it at Stage
1b1 which means it’s a cancer confined to the cervix that is less than
4cm (1.6 inches) or less in size.
So what’s next?
I'll need to have a radical hysterectomy. This operation will remove
my cervix, uterus, their supporting ligaments, and they will also do
what is called a lymphadenectomy, which means they will also remove the
lympyh nodes in the surrounding area. I’ll have to have the surgery done
abdominaly because of all this, which means a longer more painful
recovery and I’ll be hospitalized for a few days. That will be the
hardest thing for me as I’m very active, no running and no teaching my
classes, nothing. Prognosis for my future is 100%. Right now surgery is
scheduled for Monday, May 13th (I'll miss Spring Fling...soooo sad) but
they are trying to get me in sooner.
I share this with you because the only reason this was detected,
treatable and my prognosis is 100% is because of that yearly exam, that
found it early on. For the record I have had 15 YEARS of normal paps, this was my first abnormal one in that time period. Without that exam this could have gone undetected, I had no
signs or symptoms, in fact I'm in the best physical shape of my life.
Left undetected cervical cancer can be far worse and sometimes even
deadly. If you are a woman reading this PLEASE make sure you are
getting your yearly exam! If you’re a man and have a female in your life
ask her if she gets her yearly exam. If she doesn’t, please share this
with her and encourage her to do so. When you add the C-word it always
makes something sound scary but I assure you the biggest worry here is
that I have to undergo surgery. I assure you I will be fine, I'm not
afraid or worried. The only reason I share my story is because I have
the means to share this with many women and to stress the importance of
getting that yearly exam.
If I’ve learned one thing in the past few months it’s that cancer is
expensive and this is a non-life threatening one. I cannot help but
think about the kids and families of St. Jude (because I’m a St. Jude
Runner). This has given me 10 times the motivation to run for the kids
this summer and to raise as much money as I possibly can because not
only does St. Jude save lives every day but they also do it FREE! If you
do anything for me at all, will you please make at least a $10 donation
to St. Jude? www.stjudepeoriaruns.org/akinkade
