Melanie Boeck

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I was diagnosed on April 14th 2017 with Cervical Cancer.  I underwent pretreatment surgery to see how big the mass was since it couldn't be seen visually.  It is at this time, my doctor, Michael Hicks who specializes in cervical cancer decided that since the mass/ tumor wouldn't have clear margins, I would have to have concurrent chemoradiation therapy.  I was stage a llb.    As of last Friday the 21st,  I met with my medical oncologist who will be dispensing the chemo I will be on.  Dr. Fatah has already set an appointment up with the surgeon  who will place my port . and  I also have an appointment with a chemo class this week to get knowledge about the specific chemo I will be on as in side effects and longer term effects, although....I'm sure I can ask my mom as she had the same type of chemo during her  run with anal cancer.  I also meet with the radiation oncologist, Dr. Frazier  and received my tats for precise lining of beams to hit the mass/ tumor.  I will be doing radiation 5x a week with weekends off.  My first radiation treatment is scheduled for Thursday  April 27th.  My course of treatment is for 7 weeks, chemo once a week and external radiation for 3/4 weeks at which time, Dr. Hicks will start me on brachytherapy which if I understand this correctly is a type of internal radiation and will have this for the rest of radiation.

My mom, Claudia , has helped me with getting all the items I will need  to make this therapy go as smooth as can be as she as well had undergone this type of treatment except for the brachytherapy when she was diagnosed 13 years ago for stage lllb  anal cancer. 

Being a single working mom of 3 is the hardest spot I thought I was in, not anymore...going through a cancer diagnosis is harder.  I was there for my mom and saw first hand of some of her complaints and to be in the same spot...I understand.    You really can't understand what a cancer diagnosis does to anyone until you walk in their shoes, it changes the person within whom you thought you were, butt are now completely different.  It changes your outlook on life 360 degrees.  I'm so grateful that my mom was able to beat her cancer to now..be there and truly understand how I may feel and help me along the way with the tricks and tips, so I might be able to ease on through and not have as much damage she had.  Love you Mom