Living Life
  • Blog: Living Life with Cervical Cancer
  • Living Life with Cancer
  • Erica's Story
  • Pictures
  • Media News

Why I Advocate...Even from a Hospital Bed

8/17/2016

3 Comments

 
As I lay here today there is a lot weighing on my mind.  Cervivor School Louisville and Pap Rally & 5k New Albany are both rapidly coming up and I couldn't be more excited about helping Cervivor to educate another group of fabulous women and to help guide them each to be the most effective advocate possible.  My next scan is also rapidly approaching, it is next Friday.  This scan will help to guide my medical team on the next steps in my cancer treatment plan.  It is weird to go into a scan hoping to see seven spots of cancer.  Hoping that the cancer has not spread or grown.  It is unreal that now seven spots of cancer is good for me.  Seven, my new lucky number.  I have now been on Avastin only for twelve months and it has kept my cancer pretty stable.  I am hoping my next scan shows more stability. 

All of these thoughts combined and made me want to explain to you why I advocate.  What a better way to describe why I advocate then a handy top ten list, in true Ball State University fashion (with a quick nod at Dave Letterman).

Top Ten Reasons I Advocate

I advocate because...
10.  Cervical cancer isn't a dirty word and it is time we stop the stigma.
9. An average of 36 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in the US today, and every day until a change is made.
8. I want others to know they are not alone.
7. HPV is so prevalent, the shaming needs to end.  The shaming ends with us speaking up.
6. Cervical cancer takes the lives of an average of 11 women in the US alone daily, and those women can't advocate.
5. There are so many signs and symptoms that we, as women, dismiss as "normal" life.
4. Too many women skip their annual wellness exam, an exam that can save lives.
3. You need to know that there is a vaccine that can essentially eradicate cervical cancer.
2.  I don't want another woman to end up in the bed where I lie having to get treatment for cervical cancer.
1. If I die before my son is grown, I want him to remember me as a woman who made a difference, a woman who helped make this the last generation that has to worry about cervical cancer.

So, I advocate.  Advocacy doesn't stop because cancer doesn't stop.  I advocate now, here, from the hospital bed.  How have you been an active advocate today?
Picture
3 Comments
Carolann
8/17/2016 07:39:26 pm

Incredible words from a strong woman and amazing advocate. Thank you

Reply
Carherine
8/19/2016 03:34:53 am

Wtg Teal sister! I am chronolizing my journey, inform where I can, and hope to make a difference in spreading the word on Cervical Cancer. *hugs to you and good luck on your scan!! Mine comes in a few weeks. I m nervous and hoping for best!! Teal Sisters Unite in thoughts, prayers, and support to all everywhere!

Reply
Lisa Jemmings
8/19/2016 01:59:16 pm

You're such an inspiration to so many of us fighting cancer! Thank you for standing up for us! I really need to find the strength to educate my community. Thank you, and wishing you the best !

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Erica is a 32 year old cervical cancer advocate who is out living cancer for the third time. When she isn’t advocating for cervical cancer and HPV awareness as a Cervivor Ambassador, she previously oversaw the STEM program at the school where she was an educator; she now helps coordinate the robotics program. Erica enjoys spending time with her husband and son in their Indianapolis neighborhood, as well as pursuing new and adventurous hobbies. She can most recently be found fawning over kayaks and daydreaming of returning to whitewater kayaking with First Descents, an organization for young adults impacted by cancer. 

    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014

    Categories

    All
    Cervical Cancer
    Chemo
    Hospital
    Nephrostomy
    Photography
    Surgery

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.