Since I was a child, I always suffered from back pain, it was something I had learned to cope with, but in June 2017 my backache was starting to become a lot worse- I had recently had a baby, so I put it down to that.  The following October, I contacted my GP and she suggested I go for a smear and some blood tests.  The smear test was excruciating and when they took the sample I screamed the place down, so they booked me in for a colposcopy straight away.  During the colposcopy they discovered a lump.  They took a biopsy and when I woke they told me there and then that I had early stage cervical cancer. 

My treatment began on 27th December and consisted of daily radiation, for five and a half weeks, 6 weeks of chemotherapy and brachytherapy.  It was absolutely exhausting, from week three I needed constant help with my daughter.  Other side effects included: bowel issues and tinnitus.  I was also put into early menopause, which has been difficult.

I have found the long term effects of cancer quite debilitating and still suffer from exhaustion, some memory loss and long term bowel issues. Having a 2 year old child and having to face your own mortality at 40 has been very hard to cope with mentally. Thankfully I am doing well now, I took all the support that was offered to me and have found counselling so beneficial.  Throughout my diagnosis, the Irish Cancer Society website has been so helpful, especially when looking for trusted information.

I am a huge advocate for the HPV vaccines, they are safe and they work.    When I was told I had cancer, I was terrified, I thought that’s it I’m gone, but thankfully, new drugs and treatments are prolonging lives for years.

Most importantly, I think that more people should be discussing their cancer journeys, so if you have been affected by cancer, don't keep it closed doors.  You can speak to a cancer nurse, by contacting the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone: 1800 200 700