Archives for June 2025

My cancer journey is not the typical one, but one that I think many young women should know about and arm themselves with knowledge as statistics show endometrial cancer (a form of uterine cancer) on the rise. 

What started as a way to preserve my fertility at the age of 37 proactively, became the biggest plot twist of my life that I NEVER saw coming. On my initial consultation visit, a routine ultrasound revealed a thickened endometrium. There were no symptoms except for battling PCOS since I was 15 and missing periods for many years, so this finding certainly raised some concern. A biopsy was done “just in case”, leading me to 5 words that changed my life forever while waiting on a plane at Charlotte Douglas Airport: “Jennifer, you have endometrial cancer”. The next few months after hearing those words consisted of lots of tears, researching staging vs grading of cancer, many doctor appointments and second opinions. It also put a big pause on my egg-freezing journey, not being able to continue that  journey until a clear endometrial biopsy was clear (a girl could dream!). As I was still of childbearing age and had NEVER been pregnant before, we tried everything we could to spare my fertility, including high dose Megace, futile weight loss attempts, and even at one point, the insertion of not 1, but 2 IUDs, with hopes it would reverse the cancer. Despite our best efforts, a repeat D&C in September of 2022 revealed my 2 worst nightmares had come true: my endometrial cancer alarmingly advanced to grade 3 and the best treatment recommended? A full and total hysterectomy. I will never forget that phone call, nor the very moment my heart shattered into a million pieces knowing my life’s greatest desire to grow and carry my own child in my body was being taken away from me. I had always been told that due to PCOS I would have a hard time getting pregnant, but nothing could have ever prepared me for the decisions I had to make following this crushing part of my journey. 

I will forever be thankful to an amazing surgical oncologist who truly listened to me and understood the desires of my heart as a woman who desperately desired motherhood. We ensured it was safe for me to do a lightning round of egg freezing before my hysterectomy where I successfully was able to retrieve 36 eggs (a procedure done without general anesthesia due to my high BMI at the time, and a wicked case of OHSS, ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome, after…shew!😲) I had 36 eggs retrieved on a Tuesday, and my full hysterectomy that following Friday. This all followed by an entry into surgical menopause the moment I woke up from surgery. My final pathology after the surgery revealed Grade 1a Endometrial cancer with 31% of the muscular lining of my uterus affected. I am thankful no chemo or radiation had to be done, but my journey navigating surgical menopause starting at 38 has not been an easy one. Along with coping with the crushing grief of losing my fertility and my life’s greatest desire, I have been abruptly thrust into a life of menopause in my late 30s with very few to no one my age who could relate to my struggles and what I was (and still am) experiencing. 

It’s been a journey of many peaks and valleys, self-love and awareness, anger and sadness, love and forgiveness-and lots of therapy.  Insert Teal Diva and the hope, community, and love that they have shown me since I had to learn to navigate this whole new world of post-cancer/survivorship. A true diamond in the “rough”, Teal Diva brings a community of women who truly understand you.  You never have to explain how you feel, they just “know” with the touch of a hand on your shoulder or a knowing look. The events, the support, the love: I’m not sure what I would do without it all. Though my story ultimately can look like a heartbreaking one, I have found my strength, my voice, and my most authentic self during this journey and oddly, I will forever thank this cancer journey for that. I vow to spend the rest of my life raising awareness for uterine cancer, educating women about uterine cancer (because why did I only hear of it ONCE I WAS DIAGNOSED?!), and ultimately work to be that force that helps one less woman have to experience the obstacles and life-changing events I endured. Thank you Teal Diva, from the bottom of my heart, for the light you are in my life and so many others as well. I am forever grateful.

🤍 Jen

Every June, we come together to recognize Uterine Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise our voices, educate our communities, and honor those impacted by the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States. Uterine cancer, which primarily affects the lining of the uterus, is often overlooked in broader cancer conversations—yet its impact is profound.

This month serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of early detection, research, and support. By sharing stories, facts, and resources, we aim to break the silence surrounding uterine cancer and empower individuals to advocate for their health. Whether you’re a survivor, caregiver, healthcare provider, or ally, your voice matters. To start this month off we hear from survivor, Sandy, as she shares her story with our Teal Diva family.

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MY DIAGNOSIS
On November 4, 2022, I received a phone call from my OBGYN, and I heard the words “I am so sorry, but you have cancer”. I’m not sure I even heard the rest of the conversation….something about a hysterectomy, possible chemo, radiation, and so forth. I couldn’t breathe.  I had been in her office the day before for my annual OBGYN appointment. Earlier in the year, I had some “on and off” post-menopausal bleeding, but nothing had shown up on a vaginal ultrasound, so she had told me to keep an eye on it, and that we would address any continued spotting in November at my annual checkup. On November 3, at my annual appointment, I told my doctor that I had continued to have some spotting, but not a lot. She did a biopsy that same day. On November 4, I received her phone call with the results. Hearing the words “you have cancer” changes you. It brings out a fighter that you didn’t know existed. I have always considered myself a girly girl. I found out that girly girls know how to fight too!

MY SUPPORT TEAM
A good fighter never fights the fight alone. I am no stranger to the value of a support team. In 2017, at the age of 52, my husband passed away suddenly and unexpectedly from a brief illness. My support team showed up and showed out. My cancer diagnosis was no different. “They” are the very best!! My faith is strong, so my team starts first and foremost with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I spent a lot of time praying, journaling, reading scripture, and leaning on Him.  When I was worried, I read Psalm 121. When all I could think about was cancer, I leaned on Philippians 4:8, and on and on. My family (new husband, Jack; kids; siblings), extended family members, my church, and my friends, all played a role in my cancer journey. They prayed for me, encouraged me, and provided all the support that a girl could ask for. Jack was my main caregiver during my chemo and radiation treatments. He was a trooper.  We had only been married 11 short months when I received my diagnosis, not exactly what we thought newlywed life would look like. He took me to each chemo appointment; sat with me for hours during my treatment sessions; took me to purchase my first wig (I was very angry that day); shaved my head when I decided that I, not cancer, was going to be in control of when I lost my hair; changed my ice packs to help prevent neuropathy; carried me to bed when the bone pain from chemo was at its worst; and the list goes on. I could not have gotten through this without him. I thank God for him, and the rest of my support team, every day! Cancer is ugly, but the support and love you feel from others is absolutely beautiful!

WHAT DOES A UTERINE CANCER DIAGNOSIS MEAN?
From a medical standpoint, a uterine cancer diagnosis typically means a hysterectomy and possibly chemo and/or radiation treatments. I received all three. At the age of 58, and being post-menopausal, having a hysterectomy was the part of my treatment that I was the least concerned with. However, I did recognize that there are probably younger women who receive a uterine cancer diagnosis, and having a hysterectomy would be much more emotional for them. My heart goes out to those women. After surgery came the chemo and radiation treatments. Chemo is no “walk in the park”, but I did it! It is something that you can get through….it takes hard work and a good support team….but YOU CAN DO THIS!!! And while radiation was a daily commitment, after chemo, I did not find it as challenging. All in all, you do what you have to do to get well and heal. And you lean on, and trust, your healthcare team to help you through it! My healthcare team was/is amazing! From an emotional/mental standpoint, a uterine cancer diagnosis means you have to “dig deep”….tap into your strengths, and where/when you are weak, tap into the strengths of your support team! 

MY HEALTHCARE TEAM AND THEIR SUPPORT
My doctors and nurses are the best! From the day I was diagnosed, they took such great care of me. They not only took care of me from a physical standpoint, but they were also sensitive to the side effects of treatment…..loss of my hair, etc. I remember when my doctor had to tell me that I would lose my hair. He pulled his seat up next to me and was so gentle with how he delivered the message. From my oncologist, my oncology nurses, my chemo nurses, the lab workers that drew my blood before every treatment, to the ladies that sat at the front desk with their smiling faces every time I walked in for a treatment…THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!! It is your faithfulness and commitment to your job that helps women like me get through this very tough journey.

HOW HAS BEING DIAGNOSED CHANGED MY OUTLOOK ON LIFE:
I could talk for days here, but I will sum it up with a saying that I use a lot now: “Use the good china, drink the good wine, and wear the new clothes. It’s not that I think my time left here is short, but hearing the words “you have cancer” certainly helps you understand that ALL TIME is precious! Embrace ALL of it! Love hard, and love “all-in”! All of these certainly sound like cliches, but they work!

ADVICE I WOULD GIVE SOMEONE NEWLY DIAGNOSED WITH UTERINE CANCER
First and foremost, YOU CAN DO THIS!! Find a healthcare team that you trust and lean on them to walk you through the “treatment plan”. Ask all your questions. They want you to be informed, and they want to encourage you! 

Embrace your support team…LET THEM HELP YOU! Sometimes it is difficult to ask for or to receive help. Allowing them to help you, actually helps them….they can do something in a situation in which they don’t know what to do or how to help. It helps them through the journey as well.

If you are a prayer, then pray, pray, pray. It is my faith and my daily chats with the Lord that gave me the most comfort.

HOW I HAVE FOUND COMMUNITY WITH A CANCER DIAGNOSIS
When you first receive a cancer diagnosis, you feel somewhat alone, or at least I did. My healthcare team gave me a sense of community in that they understood the journey ahead. They met me where I was. They talked me through the treatment plan. They talked me through the side effects. They let me ask all of my questions, and they answered them all. 

I found community in others who had received similar diagnoses. I had several people reach out to me who had been diagnosed with uterine (and other) cancers. One, I had known for years and was not even aware of her diagnosis. Once you share a similar battle, you are connected in a way that is hard to describe. You feel as if you have someone to talk to who understands exactly what you are going through. I have also found this community in the Teal Diva organization. I have participated in the Teal Diva 5k for 3 years in a row. It is empowering to be surrounded by a group of women who have battled (are still battling) a cancer diagnosis. This is an event that I will continue to support as long as I am able.