Good morning to all of you!

I am Dr. Jane, a graduate of medicine, And  at age 27, that was a year ago, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

I am the first born in the family, the only girl, the first niece, the first grandchild on my mother’s side. You could just very well imagine how my family and relatives treated me. We are not well off but I lived a pretty secured life; everything was always within reach, everything was well provided.

The year 2006 was a year to remember for me.

It was a year that tested every ounce of my being. It was a time where my faith and spirit were challenged to the very core.

In 2006, I was having my medical internship in one of the public hospital here in Metro Manila, when I became pregnant. During this time, my family didn’t know anything about my pregnancy. Nevertheless, I continued with my regular prenatal check-up. As routine, a Pap smear was done which revealed pre-malignant lesions. My regular OB-GYNE had to refer me to a Gyne-Oncologist. A colposcopy with biopsy was done, which revealed the worst fear that I had, I had cervical cancer. This was the time that I told my condition to my parents. I told them that I am both pregnant and have cancer.

There I was 26y/o, pregnant and a cancer patient.

Some people think that we in the medical profession are the lucky ones: we know how to avoid them and treat them. Even some people think that doctors are immune to any disease. But we are not.

In my case, I was asymptomatic: there were no discharge, no itchiness, no pain. One positive thing that came out of the biopsy and examination was it was at an early stage and can be operated on.

I was afraid of what treatment option my doctor would present to me: either I lose the baby and be saved, or continue with the pregnancy and risk my health. It was such a dilemma for me. But still I took the risk to continue my pregnancy inspite of cancer because this is the only chance I can Have a baby.

I gave birth to my son, Gabriel, last October 31, 2006 and at the same time a hysterectomy was done. A new extension of me was born, a part of me was cut off. But it was a price well worth it: I lost my womb, thus I lost my chance of ever conceiving again, but I have my life, and a son to take care of.  Fortunately I did not undergo radio or chemotherapy anymore. This is what I want people to know that at a very early stage, your life can be saved.

It took a long time before I was able to be like this, talking to a lot of people and opening up to the public. There was a time where I was in denial of my condition, I as depressed, I was inconsolable, I have so many questions.

I dream of going into training soon after getting my license but I have to put this on hold. I couldn’t possibly take the stress of training and recovery from cancer. Of course talking about finances, I’m very much lucky I’m in the medical field, I don’t need to pay for professional fees every time I go on my monthly checkups, the procedures that have to be done in monitoring my disease such as colposcopy with biopsy, ultrasounds and others. I could just imaging the financial burden other cervical cancer patients have to go thru.

My disease brought the best and worst in me. I could not have imagined how I managed to pass that phase in my life. Yes here I am, talking in front of you. Live and well.

But my life struggle isn’t over. The fact is, our life struggle will not over until we come face to face with the lord. And God has always been at my side, even at times that I thought He has abandoned me. He made me stronger, wiser. And he gave me a hadn’t conceived him I might not be in front of you right now. My son saved me. He is my inspiration and my life.

I would also like to thank my family who has been with me through thick and thin.  And to my gyne-onco for all the support and for believing in me.

And to all cervical cancer patients, this is what I tell you: do not lose hope. There’s life after cancer diagnosis. There is always a purpose for everything. What may seem a tragedy is a blessing.Cervical cancer is preventable and curable.

We all have our stories to tell, struggles to live with. So I tell you to hold on, hold fast. Live your life. Love your life. And cherish every moment of it.

So let me reintroduce myself to you again, I’m Jane, a doctor, a mother, and a cervical cancer survivor.