From Melissa's Facebook -

It's a lot to read I know but I thought if you saw how little to warning or indication I got (and it's the same for so many more) the message would hit home harder.

Today, as yet another post is made to the cervical cancer group I'm in "Jane has lost her battle", I am reminded that prior to my diagnosis I had no idea I was sick. I was as active as I have ever been and had no symptoms.

In 20/20 hindsight there were some small things but nothing that would have indicated to me that I was sick, let alone had cancer. A rare, aggressive cancer I'd had long enough for it to spread to my lymph nodes. To become systemic. That had spread in a manner that dropped my 5 year survival rates to 40-60%.

With that said I feel obligated to say:

LADIES!

(And single fathers raising daughters alone, be sure to educate)

Your regular paps are crucial yes BUT:

You know your cycle, whether it's like clockwork or iratic, you've had it a while you know it's game, predictable or not.

If Aunt Flow starts changing the rules, even if they seem like good changes, even if they're small, if they happen more than a cycle or two in a row, make that quick appt and run them by your doctor. Let him/her know what's happening.

(A tiny biy of TMI for the sensitive types but hang in there, I'm giving an example so you really get it).

In my case I was like a clock, on or off BC, this last year to 18 months my periods had gotten a little heavier and started being so very mildly unpredictable, by a day or 3 at the most. Sometimes early, sometimes late. My cramps got worse.

That's it. I was 36/37. Post 3 pregnancies, 2 deliveries. I talked to several women of the generation or 2 before me and all sounded like typical pushing 40 women troubles. I dismissed it.

The only other thing I can say I'd noticed looking back was that I'd definitely been sick more often and with somewhat harsher illnesses than ever before in my life. Still, nothing worth writing home about, from a couple colds a year maybe to having several bad colds, the full blown flu and tonsillitis so bad I developed an abscess (that happened 2 months before my diagnosis).

See, nothing. Nothing that said, HEY! Hey you, DEATH is growing inside you!!

This is my long and involved way to say, know your body. Be aware of changes no matter how insignificant they seem and just run them by your doctor if they don't subside or if there seem to be multiple unrelated small changes. The risk is so high and the prevention so easy. Caught in early stages simple outpatient procedures can prevent months and years of hardship.

The number of 18-24 year olds I see having full hysterectomies, or losing their fertility to radiation, the number of women battling long term, dibilitating sife effects to treatments, the number of "we lost another teal sister today" posts in these groups is staggering and heartbreaking and yet no one really seems to be aware of the other female cancers.

Go on the offense, recognize changes in your body, even those that seem unrelated to your girl parts, you are a whole functioning biologic machine, each part affecting the whole. It's all connected. Recognize and find what doesn't belong before you can't just have it removed.