Author: Iris Williams

In December 2019, I started having severe pelvic pain and heavy bleeding, my gynecologist and I decided a hysterectomy was the solution. On February 14, 2020 – Valentine’s Day – I had a hysterectomy and they found a tumor.

Initially, I was shocked when I woke up from surgery and was told they found a tumor on my cervix. When I received the call that I had Stage II cervical cancer I told myself, “I will have a positive attitude and I will beat cancer.” Every day since, I wake up and tell myself I will beat cancer.

Never in a million years would I ever have thought I’d be in a fight for my life against cancer, but when that day came it brought out a fight in me that I didn’t even know I had.

As a 33 year old with three children, cancer has changed my perspective tremendously. I feel like I have a second chance at life. I do not take life for granted and I cherish all the little things I didn’t think about before.

The advice I will give other women diagnosed with cervical cancer is to have faith and stay strong and positive at all times. The doctors and staff at the Pavilion have helped me during my cancer journey by being a huge support system. From day one, Dr. King and Dr. Castle made me feel safe and gave me so much hope. My nurse navigators, Latoya and Angel, make me feel loved and help me with anything I need. The staff on the MedSurg oncology unit were so kind, they remembered me by name and made me feel like I was with family. Being greeted by Mrs. Dee’s smile at the front desk made even my sick days even better. I love all my nurses. They make my long days at chemo better by sitting and chatting with knowing I was there by myself due to COVID policies.

Thank God Every day for everyone I came in contact with at the Breast and GYN Cancer Pavilion, Woman’s Hospital and Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady Of The Lake Cancer Center. I love all of you and thank you for everything!