An unusual period can be more than just uncomfortable. For Juana, it meant stage one uterine cancer and a chance to see what she was made of.
Juana's Story
"Basically I was having female problems."
I was having two or three menstrual periods at a time, and that just wasn't me. I started questioning the whole thing. I would be standing around talking to someone and this clot would just start coming out. I called my OB/GYN and made an appointment to come in.She said there was nothing wrong. It kept happening so I went into her office and said, "You are going to have to do something about this, and I am not leaving until you take care of me because I am not going through this everyday of my life." She did a DNC, and the pathology report came back saying that I have uterine cancer.
"I was shocked that at this time there is no treatment plan for uterine cancer."
The only option that there was for me was a complete hysterectomy. I was 32 when I was diagnosed. I have no children, and I have never been married. I had always dreamed of finding this perfect man, having this family dinner time with my kids, talking to them about how their day went. At the time, my dreams crashed.
"I am not the only one in this situation."
I walked into this CT/MRI building in the hospital, and there were so many girls there crying for the same reason. It was some type of cancer. There were so many, girls even younger than me.
"I am going to be strong and pull through this one."
I waited to tell my family members. I didn't want them to feel hurt or sad. When I told my youngest sister I said, "I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me, I want everyone to be strong for me. I just want you to live life like it is normal." The biggest thing for me was I didn't want depression -- that is the thing that was scary for me. I have known family members who have been diagnosed with depression, and it is hard, super hard. I would tell myself that I am going to keep going; on the days that I don't want to go and I don't have the strength , and I don't want to get out of bed, I am going to go.
"If I am still here, it's for a reason."
I have always been strong mentally and physically and very determined. I could've died, but for some reason I found it early. I am going to keep going and I am going to fight and I am going to be okay in the end. Every time it was a challenge, every treatment plan was a challenge, but I am grateful for everything. I pray at night before I go to sleep and I thank God for everything, even the hard times, because there was some reason he wanted me to go through it.
My friends and family helped so much I mean family and friends helped so much, the mere fact that they would go through it with me everyday. When I was crying they were crying on the phone, and encouraging me every step of the way. Telling me that I could do it and that I was strong and I was going to get through this. Family and friends just makes it and the fact that I didn't want to be sick woman I wanted to be normal and that just helped me everyday pulling through.
Basically that is what I would tell myself every night, I can do this I don't want to be sick, I will be ok tomorrow. Although I have been through so much I can still do it. To this day I don't ever think about it unless someone is talking to me about it or someone brings it up. I don't think that I was sick at one time, I mean obviously I was because I had a complete hysterectomy and that will obviously always be a part of me. Other than that I lead my life normal I am not depressed I just want to keep going and there is so much for me to do. I want to plan trips, spend time with friends, go to work. Just have fun and enjoy life!
