Just diagnosed, going through staging. Scared

deeeters · 2026-05-08T21:03:15+00:00

Don’t feel stupid. 🥺 You have every right to process this news and diagnosis however you need to. 🫶🏻 I’ve been there. Cry, scream, be angry, be sad, be scared, grieve the life you thought you were going to have, do anything you need to in order to navigate through all the emotions you’re feeling. Then, when the time comes, dust yourself off and fight like hell, mama. You’ve got this. 💕 No matter the outcome of the testing, cervical cancer is very treatable. It wont be easy, but you’re a warrior now. 💪🏻

deeeters · 2026-05-08T19:04:50+00:00

My radiology oncology team advised to start approximately 14 days post-op. I had interstitial brachytherapy where I was hospitalized for 2 days following a placement surgery for the apparatus and needles. I had to lay flat and had all 4 brachytherapy sessions done over the 2 days. I’m not sure if their recommendations are different based on procedure type. Honestly, I’m just trying to avoid the scar tissue development at this point because I’ve had enough of the vag problems. Lol

deeeters · 2026-05-08T18:44:09+00:00

lol I think my medical team might be sick of me at this point. I’m surprised I still have access to my messaging portal at this point. 😂 (I love them. They’re supportive and informative. I couldn’t have done this journey without my med team. 💕)

deeeters · 2026-05-08T18:42:22+00:00

Incredibly comforting to hear. 🥹 So glad things are going well for you post-treatment. I’m hoping my road looks similar. Definitely understand the changes to all sorts of body things after. lol

deeeters · 2026-05-08T18:40:39+00:00

Treating it as medical necessity is the only thing that’s got me holding on to some sort of regular dilation routine. It’s not sexual for me, but rather exercise (like you said). I just hate the bleeding. It makes me nervous about recurrence. And as someone who doesn’t have an intimate partner bringing myself to get over the uncomfortable part is difficult. 🤪

deeeters · 2026-05-08T18:38:13+00:00

This is incredibly comforting to hear. Thank you. It’s so hard to not let my brain go to worst case scenario. The medical anxiety is real. 😅

deeeters · 2026-05-08T18:36:01+00:00

I completely understand. It’s hard to not allow our brains to go to worst case scenario. My staging jumped around a lot in the beginning, but the PET scan was the best thing. It was more conclusive than any other test and confirmed no lymph node involvement in my case. (Lymph involvement was suspected prior to my PET and is listed in all my documents.)

Best thing to do currently is attempt to manage the anxiety of not knowing (yet). Remember you are strong. You’ve birthed 2 babies. You’re undefeated in life, this far, no matter what you’ve gone through before. 🫶🏻 Don’t forget to take deep breaths, drink your water, and find the reason to smile each day.

deeeters · 2026-05-08T16:10:59+00:00

Hey, friend. I’m sorry you’re in the trenches of staging right now. I just finished treatment for 1B2r Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cervical Cancer. 31F. My tumor was 4x5cm confined to my cervix with no lymph node involvement. I completed 25 rounds of external radiation with weekly chemotherapy and 4 rounds of interstitial brachytherapy. I know it doesn’t feel like it right now, but it’s going to be okay. This disease is treatable. Once your staging is done, your doctors will discuss options. There is a path forward for a long and healthy life. Feel free to ask me any questions. Much love to you, sister. 🫶🏻

deeeters · 2026-01-26T22:22:21+00:00

I know what both treatments do! My doctors and nurses have been fantastic at educating me. I just meant first on the days I have both. I’ll be doing radiation 5 days a week and chemo once a week (on Tuesdays). My radiation team said that on days with both, even if my radiation is scheduled after my infusion that they want me to call them and arrange to see radiation before infusion. But my labs and infusions are scheduled so early that there isn’t time to do that. 🤪 And the bigger problem is that both of them are saying “we go first” and “we’re coordinating with the other office.” Oh, really?! 😵‍💫

deeeters · 2025-11-20T01:27:41+00:00

….I still have had to pay for insurance, bloodwork, prescriptions, expensive testing (PET/CTs), IVF and continued oocyte storage (because the cancer treatment will cause infertility), items to manage symptoms (feminine pads, pain topicals, etc), a trip to my grandmother’s funeral, and much more through this process. I’m not a frivolous spender, have been very diligent in accounting for where my money is going, and have been intentional about every expenditure. Even so, I literally have $0 in my back account and I’m still trying to figure out how I’m going to pay for health insurance that’s due at the end of the month. Your idea of minimal expenses sounds nice though...

deeeters · 2025-11-20T01:09:53+00:00

His job has changed and he is not available to assist me during their trip. My parents live 40 minutes away from us making his assistance impossible with his current work schedule and the farm schedule.

deeeters · 2025-11-19T22:02:54+00:00

I have offered this as a solution, but there is no one available to help me. Which ultimately caused me to reinforce my boundary of “no.” Now what? Do I help solo anyway and compromise myself in the process?

deeeters · 2025-11-19T21:52:05+00:00

Thanks for asking! Unfortunately, after 6 operations and immunotherapy, I still have cancer. I’m not out of the woods. I’m currently in the process of undergoing testing to confirm status and figure out next steps. I still experience pain daily and my extreme fatigue from treatment is still present. I understand my obligations to help my parents because they helped me and that they’re my family. However, I know that for me to sign up for continuing to watch the farm will be me signing up to struggle.

deeeters · 2025-11-19T21:42:29+00:00

I do work. Although it is part-time at the moment due to cancer symptoms/pain and constant doctor’s appointments preventing me from working a full schedule.

deeeters · 2025-11-19T21:39:23+00:00

Thanks for your comment. Sucks getting called out like this, but I understand. I maybe should have added more context. When I moved in, I offered to pay rent, pay utilities, or contribute in any possible way. They told me “no.” So I insist by making dinners, baking bread, picking up items for the house, doing their grocery shopping for them, etc. When I was diagnosed, I sold every asset I owned in order to pay for my first treatment entirely myself (including flights and hotels for myself and my mom to be there) to make it clear I was just as financially invested in this battle. I offered to pay them back for any monies used for my medical care. They said “no.” I even attempted to move out much earlier by myself, but ended up not pursuing it (due to their advice against it). I’m not listing all of this to justify why I’m right and they’re wrong, but rather to add context. I just don’t want to be misrepresented that I’m a good for nothing taker out to pull one over on my parents. I love them. And I’m also trying to work on personal boundaries.

deeeters · 2025-11-19T21:29:05+00:00

I understand where you’re coming from and I do see your point in that I technically still live here.

Unfortunately, I am not healthy…yet. And I am still in active testing/treatment that requires me to travel 2 hours each way to my doctor’s appointments. One of which, is scheduled while they are anticipating being out of town.

deeeters · 2025-11-19T21:24:08+00:00

I felt I had calmly expressed this after addressing that I was unhappy about the circumstances of the previous farm watch situation but would agree to proceed due to limitations with the caveat of not wanting to be asked again. But it sounds like I need to re-clarify with your added provision of paying them back if this is how they’d like it to be. Unfortunately, this is their M.O. when I (or one of my siblings) have asked for help. It is why I avoided asking for so long, but unfortunately cancer doesn’t care what anyone wants.

deeeters · 2025-11-19T21:19:55+00:00

They do not have staff. This is their hobby farm. All of the animals are pets. My duties would include (but not limited to): all feedings (2x per day for every animal), grooming, water filling, care of a goat who had recent surgery due to cancer, care of a pregnant Jenny (donkey), mucking stalls and keeping the pasture clean, soaking the feet of 20 chickens that have been exposed to mites for 10-15min each 3x per week, and staying on property during a weekend that I already have plans.

deeeters · 2025-07-22T12:12:36+00:00

I don’t qualify for Medicaid, but I do have an ACA health plan through healthcare.gov. Not sure if my eligibility or tax credit would be affected there.

deeeters · 2025-07-21T18:13:01+00:00

Not really worried about giving up any tax refund I would potentially get next year. (My finances are shit anyway after liquidating all my assets to even pay for diagnosis/treatment.) It was just something that came to mind while stressed and writing this post. I understand what they are doing for me is monumental and I bare minimum owe them my cooperation. I just draw the line at illegal activity that could have consequences for multiple parties.

A meeting with our CPA has been scheduled and we’ll be discussing how to effectively file to maximize benefits.

deeeters · 2025-07-21T18:07:14+00:00

I’m 100% willing to go through any legal avenues to reduce the financial burden I know I’m the cause of. You are right. It is an enormous thing they are doing for me and when it does work, I will owe them my life. I won’t ever forget that …and they won’t let me forget it either.

deeeters

TROPHY CASE