Heather's story
Experiences of cervical cancer and treatment
In June 1999 I had a cervical smear test, which was on time etc, and the results came back with ‘mild dyskariosis’. This alarmed me at the time, and when I ‘Dr Google’d it was immediately alarmed that this had been linked to pre-cancerous cells in the cervix. (I don’t know how accurate the information I found actually was). I then made an appointment with the doctor as I was concerned, but they reassured me that the most cases of this just returned to normal within 6 months and that I was to make an appointment for 6 months later for a repeat smear test, which I did of course.
It was after the initial abnormal result, and in about September of 1999 I started to have symptoms that were abnormal to me. I was having quite heavy bleeding in between periods (I was on the contraceptive pill at the time) which I had never had before. I went back to the doctors and explained my concerns, particularly in the light of the result in June. I was very briefly examined but was told that it was just an infection and given antibiotics – the symptoms, however never fully disappeared. In December 1999 I returned for my repeat smear. This time however, the doctor didn’t actually do the smear test as he could clearly see what he thought was a ‘polyp’ on my cervix – he referred me to the hospital to have laser treatment. Unfortunately due to holiday commitments of consultants etc, my appointment didn’t come through until February 2000.
In February 2000, I attended the hospital for LLETZ treatment. But the consultant didn’t perform LLETZ; instead he immediately did a biopsy and asked me to return in a week for the results. Although nobody told me anything, it was at this point that my instinct kicked in and I immediately knew that it was serious. Six days later I returned to be told that I had a cancerous tumour in my cervix that was approx 3cm in diameter and that my best chance of survival was to have a radical hysterectomy. Despite being told several times that cervical cancer takes years to develop, mine had in 7 months gone from pre-cancerous cells to being a tumour that required immediate surgery.
After a few more tests, and 5 days later I was seeing my surgeon and a day after that I was in the operating theatre having a hysterectomy. At the time, my only thoughts were to get through the operation, beat the cancer and simply to live. Any other complications or emotional impact didn’t really enter my head. I was in hospital for 7 days and off work for approx 3 months while I recovered. I had a couple of mini set backs in recovery as I suffered from recurring lymph cysts in my abdomen, however once this was picked up it was easily treated.
In the 10 years since my diagnosis, I have remained positive about my experience, even though some times it’s really difficult. At the age of 23 to know that there was no way of having children it’s very difficult to come to terms with. As a performer I decided that I had to create something positive out of it…it had to have happened for a reason! So together with 2 friends we created a group called 3’s Company and over the last 6 years or so have staged several one off evenings of song & dance and raised over £10,000.00 from doing so, all for different cancer charities. Last year we raised money for Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust.
Its not all been plain sailing, as a result of my hysterectomy, in 2009 I went into premature menopause and am currently trying to find the right medication to control my symptoms. HOWEVER, I am just SO grateful that I went for my smear test when I was meant to, and that it was all picked up – if I hadn’t, it would have been a completely different story and one which I wouldn’t have been here to tell myself. Ironically my illness happened at around the same time that Jo’s Trust was coming into place – I really wish there would have been a site and charity like this one established when I was diagnosed. The support that is available here is phenomenal. Having cervical cancer doesn’t have to be a negative in anyone’s life….get tested and get saved!
In recognition of my illness, charity work and my never fulfilled dream of becoming an actor in the west end, in 2010 my Mum nominated me for John Barrowman’s Tonight’s The Night programme on BBC One. He surprised me and told me he was going to make my dream come true….and he did….on June 24th 2010 I performed with Sheridan Smith and the cast of Legally Blonde the Musical at The Savoy theatre in the West End. The whole thing was just amazing. My surprise and performance will be screened on BBC One on Saturday July 31st 2010 at 8pm.
Cervical Screening Saves Lives….it saved mine :-)
Heather x
Last updated: 11/02/2011
