We are excited to close out vaginal and vulvar cancer awareness month with another survivor story from the Teal Diva sisterhood. Melanie graciously let us into her world for just a little bit. Thank you Melanie and all the vaginal and vulvar cancer survivors who are bravely standing up against the stigma of a gynecologic cancer diagnosis, we’re honored to stand with you.

---

Teal Diva: Tell us a little bit about yourself, what are your hobbies, what is your favorite thing to do, what’s the coolest thing you’ve done over the past few months?

TD: How did you get connected with Teal Diva?

M: I was introduced to Teal Diva through my oncology team at Novant Health. They truly want to attack cancer from all angles. They realize that being able to spend time with people who are going through or have gone through the same or similar experiences as you but still emit positive energy can have a profound effect on the healing process. Teal Diva provides that healing space. 

TD: Tell us a little bit about your diagnosis.

M: Soooooo…I  had what I thought was a persistent yeast infection. One that I ignored for a little while then attempted to treat myself with over-the-counter meds and home remedies. When that didn’t work I went to my PCP who ruled out a yeast infection and suggested that I make an appointment with my gynecologist. My gynecologist had left the practice so I decided to wait until after the holidays. After the holidays I  got caught up in the hamster wheel of life. It was the week after Mother’s Day 2024 that I was diagnosed with stage 3 vulvar cancer. A cancer I had never heard of, never knew existed.

TD: What was the most challenging thing about your diagnosis?

M: Emotionally the most challenging thing was telling my girls, ages 25 and 13, that I had cancer.  It was extremely hard managing my emotions, fears, and uncertainty while at the same attempting to assuage theirs. Nevertheless,  when I told them “I’m going to kick cancer’s ass!” I  meant it. Physically the most challenging was no doubt the side effects of the chemo regimen and daily radiation. However, the radiation oncology team was amazingly attentive and encouraging. I kept my focus on doing whatever was necessary and reminding myself that what I was going through was temporary. I just had to keep going day by day to reach my end goal. 

TD: What do you want people to know about a vulvar and vaginal cancer diagnosis?

M: First of all, I want people to know that they exist!  There are commercials about lung and prostate cancers. We as females are educated from a young age about how to perform self breast exams. But never had I ever heard even a whisper of vulvar or vaginal cancer. Because of this, I had no idea what to look out for. I assumed I was suffering from an abnormally long “normal” female nuisance.   If I had been aware of the signs and symptoms I would have been more proactive,  been diagnosed earlier, and not have had to undergo such intense treatment. 

TD: How can we Stop the Stigma when it comes to vulvar, vaginal, and gyn cancers?

M: I think what we’re doing now is the way to Stop the Stigma: having open conversations. I am quick to share my testimony, and I  wear bracelets, hats, shirts, etc. to help bring awareness and hopefully start a conversation. 

TD: What’s one thing you’re looking forward to in 2025?

M: THRIVING!

My name is Bryna Freeman and I’m a massage therapist and wellness enthusiast living and working in Lititz, PA. I’ve been a self-employed massage therapist and have been running my business for 17 years, and love helping my clients. I am also a travel advisor on the side, as one of my passions is traveling. Outside of work, I enjoy yoga, working out, dancing, and prioritizing both physical and mental well-being.  I’ve raised my 19-year-old daughter on my own since her birth, and I am proud to see her thriving as a college freshman. Next month I’m celebrating my 59th birthday and my second clear scan by treating myself to a holistic retreat in Mexico. 

I found Teal Diva through a Facebook page for women with vaginal cancer. Someone posted about the upcoming retreat they were having and I applied and was one of 20 very fortunate women to be selected for the retreat in Saluda, NC. This retreat was so incredibly therapeutic for me, and it was the first time I got to talk with another woman who had vaginal cancer. Up until that point, I felt so alone in my diagnosis because it’s so rare and I didn’t know anyone who had vaginal cancer. 

Before getting diagnosed with vaginal cancer, I thought I was perfectly healthy. About 6 months before getting diagnosed, I started having a few symptoms, like abdominal discomfort, weight loss, and discharge. I went to my family doctor twice, about these symptoms, but they brushed them off as other things. I even had a pap test at that time and it came back negative, however, during that test, the doctor completely missed the golf ball-sized tumor because the speculum was apparently pushing it out of the way. One morning I woke up and when I went to the bathroom, there was an enormous amount of blood in the toilet. I immediately knew something was wrong, so I drove myself to urgent care, they sent me to the emergency room, (all this right in the middle of covid), and since I wasn’t still bleeding, all they did was a blood test, told me everything looked fine and that my period “must be trying to come back” and they sent me home. I didn’t think much more about it, but fortunately, the exact same thing happened one week later. This time I called the gynecologist and they told me to come in immediately. That was the first time I heard the word cancer, and that I had a very large tumor in my vagina. From there I was sent to the cancer center and the tests began. I had stage 3 vaginal cancer with metastasis to inguinal lymph nodes. That began my 2 ½ year journey of multiple rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, brachytherapy, and lots of alternative treatments on the side, like intravenous mistletoe and vitamin C, and a drastic change to my diet. I finished my last round of chemotherapy this past May and I am currently receiving infusions every 6 weeks of the immunotherapy, Keytruda.

One of the most challenging things about my diagnosis was that my daughter had just turned 16, and I have been the sole provider for us since she was born. The first thing I said to my oncology doctor when she told me I had cancer was “You need to keep me alive until my daughter graduates high school”. After receiving bad news over and over again, I had to come to terms with the fact that I may not be here to raise my daughter. 

On top of coming to terms with my diagnosis, I also had a business to run. I worked through all of my cancer treatments, giving massages to my clients when I felt absolutely awful, but I had no other choice. 
When women ask me how I knew I had cancer, I always share my story, because if my family doctor had been more thorough, I might have gotten diagnosed earlier, and not then spent 2 more years chasing cancer through my lymphatic system as it continued to spread.  I tell women that if they feel something isn’t right in their body, keep pursuing it, get a second opinion, and trust your instincts. 

When I was told I had vaginal cancer, I didn’t even know that was a type of cancer. I asked the doctor, “Do you mean cervical, uterine, or ovarian?” and that was the first time I learned about vaginal cancer. For some reason, GYN cancers come with a different stigma than other cancers, like breast cancer. I was embarrassed to even tell people what type of cancer I had, (I have no idea why), so when I posted on my Facebook page that I had cancer, I only mentioned that it was a very rare cancer in women. It wasn’t until months later that I realized I needed to be a voice for women and tell my story even if it helps even just one other woman. I hope that by telling our stories and speaking out, without shame, we can remove the stigma of GYN cancers, and work to get as much attention as breast cancer does. 

I’m looking forward to a healthy, happy, and cancer-free year, as the past 3 years have been incredibly stressful. I feel like I can finally take a breath and work at getting my body healthy again, make plans to travel more, and enjoy my friends and family. I often say that in a weird way, I have gratitude for my cancer journey, because it has made me realize what’s truly important in life, and to not stress the small stuff. I will never take a moment of my beautiful life for granted. 

We are excited to introduce you to Natalie, a designer, traveler, therapist, and gyn cancer survivor from the Western North Carolina area hit hard with recent flooding.

---

Teal Diva: Just to start tell me a little bit about yourself, where are you from, some hobbies you have, what makes you YOU!  

Natalie: I am from a small town called Bunn, North Carolina. At an early age, I knew I was quite different than those around me. I went to college at Appalachian State and earned my master’s at Chapel Hill. As I went through the mental health training, I realized I was unique. Now we know this “uniqueness” as neurodiversity and ADHD. It was nice to understand these things about myself and begin to repackage them as strengths and superpowers instead of deficits. With the newfound freedom to live life against the grain, I embraced my creativity and began traveling and exploring other cultures around the world. In between jobs, I would go for months at a time, getting lost (and found) in the world. During this time I made friends in Thailand, India, and Nepal. I was inspired by the fluorite and eccentric fabrics I found. I began slowly partnering with others to create. As I built closer relationships with them and their families, I saw their struggles and wanted to help. In 2010 Sabai Sabai was born. It continued as my hobby until I left my career in 2016.

TD: How did you make the transition from being a mental health therapist to a clothing designer? 

N: I am a mental health therapist who went rogue. Combined with my longtime fascination with traveling, connecting with others, and clothing design, I started a company that focuses on slow fashion, and multi-wear use designs. I design my clothing lines each year while traveling around the world to collaborate with small artisans and often feature yearly fundraisers. Sabai is the creative outlet I can pour into while balancing the burnout of an emotionally taxing job as a therapist. Sabai was born out of the need for balance and healing.

TD: What drew you to the creative world and designing?  What inspires you? 

N: When I was young, my grandmother taught me how to sew my own Barbie clothes. I thought it was the coolest thing to create with her. She taught me resourceful creativity. I have always been a creative person. I originally went to college forstudio art. I felt like an art degree was not pragmatic and shifted to social work. Here I am many years later with a balance of both.

TD: Tell us a little bit about your diagnosis.  Where did you find your strength?  What was the hardest?  Did you have a community?  

N: The timing of my diagnosis was tragic. Over the winter of 2020, I was designing my clothing line, excited to return. I felt like I had finally had a good stride with bending events and festivals. I knew which ones were successful, and worth it, and had projected great success for 2020. However, we all know how that went. Actually, at the end of March 2020, I was stuck in Vietnam while the whole world was shutting down. I was able to get the last flight out as the whole world was shutting down. It was a very intense time for me. When I returned home, I continued to experience atypical symptoms. For two years I had had abnormal discharge. Treating me for all types of conditions, none of which put a dent in the issues I was having. It only continued to get worse. I was often dismissed and not taken seriously. I continued to ask questions and was cleared by many health professionals. I continued to persist and demand they send me somewhere else. I ended up in a fertility clinic. And the doctor said they were confused as I told him my story. He asked me if I had a biopsy or transvaginal ultrasound. I had not. He told me those were the first things that he would do. I left that appointment feeling heard, understood, and hopeful. Two days later I had my diagnosis, Stage 2 endocervical cancer. I was diagnosed on June 5  in the middle of a global pandemic. I lived alone during this time, and it was an extremely difficult time in my life. My parents and siblings live far away. Most of my friends were too afraid to be around me for fear of passing something to me. I had a couple of close friends, not able to handle the diagnosis and chose to distance themselves.  My family did show up for me. They drove from far distances quarantined for 14 days prior and took turns staying off and on with me. My first hurdle was a rushed egg harvesting process. I was 38 and was so hopeful to have kids one day.  Egg harvesting was a huge success. We raised enough funds and they collected 44 eggs that are still in storage to this day. The next step was surgery and waiting on the pathology report. Surgery went well and I had a wonderful surgeon. It was interesting staying in the hospital during this time, no visitors were allowed. Only my mother could come during certain hours. Again another lonesome time. After three days, I was released and began my recovery at home. After pathology came through it showed a high LSI, intent for the cancer to travel. This dictated low-dose chemo and 28 sessions of radiation.  Through the fall and into December, I went through my treatments. It ended with a blood transfusion right before Christmas. And 2021 I recovered and regained my strength, spending a lot of time in the garden. My garden was my happy place. I got really into growing Dahlias. The perfection of nature took my mind off of all my losses. Through this time I struggled with HRT and the loss of my fertility. But in 2022 I was ready to rebound. I went back into mental health practice in 2023. I opened my first private practice and began looking for my first retail store.

 TD: How did you get back to designing after your diagnosis? 

N: After my recovery, I initially went back to work as a mental health therapist. At the time, after the covid pandemic, therapy services were in high demand. I was in a new environment, nursing homes. I was still processing my own grief and felt like I had more in common with this population. I feel like my recent battle served them well. However, my creative and exploration thirst was waiting to be quenched. 2021/2022 focused on becoming stronger so that I could travel again.

TD: When did you open your retail store and where is it located?

N: I opened my retail store in December 2023. Location is 32 A Biltmore Ave., Asheville, NC 28801. Downtown.

TD: What was that experience like? 

N: It took me almost a year to find the right location. It was a true hunt and labor of love. By the time I found the place, I was so ready. It only took me two weeks to get it prepared and opened. I was so excited! Over the next nine months, we continue to build progress. After surviving our initial winter months, which are noticeably less busy, we begin to thrive in this location! We received so much positive feedback and genuine connections in the store. People loved to hear the stories of the artisans and how the designs were brought to life! We were so successful I was contemplating shifting to a bigger store. I was super proud of our growth in such a short time! The future seemed bright!

TD: Tell us you’re experience between opening your retail store and now.

N: Things seemed bright and that life was turning around for me after years of sadness and hardships. I was working hard in both of my careers and sacrificing a lot to get ahead. I was very proud of my progress and tenacity. Now? Honestly? After the massive flooding and devastation to our area in September 2024, I feel quite defeated. I think if I had more time to regain my footing, I would be able to bounce back a little bit better but I’m struggling. Today I received another grant denial. I’m eligible but there’s not enough money to go around. It seems like a lot of the grants are going to a lottery.

TD: What can people do to help you now? 

N: People can help by shopping online with me, spreading my message, and engaging with my social media posts. Donations are always very helpful. I have a GoFundMe that would help me pay rent and staff during this difficult time. Tourism has not returned to the Ashville area and we are enduring 3 extremely slow months. Another way to help is to refer us to other clothing businesses that match our vibe and might be interested in carrying our clothing!

TD: What are your dreams for the future, for you, for your store, for your designs? 

N: I’m struggling to identify the new dream. I want to go back to what I created, but that’s not looking possible. I’d love to see Sabai thrive online and in other stores across America! I want to see my business not only survive but thrive! 

---

A huge thank you to Natalie for sharing her story and passions with our Teal Diva family. If you are interested in helping her and her shop Sabai Sabai, please reach out to her via social media or through her website.

Gwen’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.  A resilient woman from Houston, TX,  she has faced immense physical, emotional, and financial challenges, yet she continues to shine brightly as a beacon of hope.

Diagnosed with stage IVb Cervical Cancer. Gwen has battled through 3 strokes, and 2 mild heart attacks, all while leading the Roy L Jackson Community Outreach Center in memory of her late father who passed from lung cancer. The Roy L Jackson Community Outreach Center provides crucial resources and case management for cancer warriors and survivors. 

Despite facing eviction, the repossession of her car, and a period without health insurance, Gwen never lost sight of her purpose, she had to step down from a job she loved as a case manager at Harmony House Inc. but remained Unwavering in her commitment to supporting others through her non-profit. Gwen’s ability to persevere has been a source of inspiration, and her dedication has earned her 2024 Erica Frazier Stum Living Life with Cancer Award from Cervivor, a recognition she cherishes deeply.  For Gwen, this honor signifies the importance of legacy “Individuals never die  if their name is still spoken.”

Through her work with Cervivor, Gwen has also built meaningful connections with the Founder of GET in Good with Your Health, Lindsay Gullatte-Lee.  Together, they travel, host health fairs/popup shops, and advocate for cervical cancer awareness and HPV vaccines. The founder of Serenity, Courage & Wisdom, Inc. Keesha Carter, a courageous woman, who joins Lindsay and Gwen sometimes on the road. They form a powerful team, known as “We Dem Girlz ” working tirelessly to eliminate Cervical Cancer one state at a time.  Gwen’s strength, faith, and unwavering commitment continue to inspire all she encounters on her journey.

More information about Roy L Jackson Community Outreach Center can be found below

By Christy Chambers

Shannon Routh, the founder of Teal Diva, often talks about the fact that survivors/thrivers fight so hard for life. Teal Diva helps those same people LIVE life after a diagnosis.

I’m a Stage 4b metastatic cervical cancer survivor, who is currently in remission. I was composing a blog entry and wrote the phrase ‘I was given a second chance at living’. I paused and was going to correct it to “a second chance at life”. But then I thought which do I mean? Are they different?

I think they are. We have all been granted a life. It is generally determined by the length of time from life – death; your existence. But that doesn’t really give a full explanation of our time here on earth, does it? Number of years doesn’t say much about who you are/were as a person.

You see it’s all about the ‘ – ‘. What looks like a seemingly insignificant line between life and death is your legacy. I think when we are faced with the fact that we might not be here on Earth as long as we’d hoped, we begin to wonder how will we be remembered. What did I accomplish that will leave a lasting impression? Who was I? And then that leads to the big question: Who am I now?

The good news is the future isn’t written yet; you can still change your legacy.

So now that you have a little time to really live, ask yourself: Are you thriving or surviving? When we struggle in life it may seem like just coping is a victory. Survival mode is a natural default: there is a certain comfort in staying in that state because it’s familiar. But it’s not living, it’s merely existing. Thriving is facing your fears and moving past them; it’s choosing to be uncomfortable and growing from the experience. Thriving is not about the circumstances (oftentimes you can’t change those) but how you respond. A thrive mindset doesn’t happen overnight but it’s attainable.

The first step is to commit to it. It’s a choice! From there you can: get to know yourself; find things that give you joy: purge things (and sometimes people!) that don’t serve your higher purpose; etc.

Why does any of that matter?
Because if the legacy I want to leave is one of love, kindness, generosity, and joy then I must first find and cultivate those qualities in myself! Only then can I bestow them on others.

Kerri Grote, who passed from brain cancer, wrote that a shaman asked
her, “Are you running towards life or running away from death?”

It’s a big question and one we don’t normally ponder, I’d like to think that cancer shifted my perspective. Instead of being preoccupied with death, I hope I am running full tilt towards life. A life I am creating as I go, fearlessly embracing every moment and gleaning every lesson I can.
Who am I? A cervivor, thriver, and an optimist “who sees the world through the eyes of possibility.” That’s the legacy I want to leave.

Come with me – let’s live our dash!

By Lindsay Gullatte-Lee 
Get In Good With Your Health

At the age of 44, I was diagnosed with Stage IIIC Cervical Cancer, a moment that changed the trajectory of my life. The diagnosis came as a shock, not only because of the severity but because, like many others, I wasn’t fully aware of the risks associated with cervical cancer or the fact that it could be prevented. I quickly realized I wasn’t alone in my lack of knowledge. Many people, especially within underserved communities, were unaware of HPV (Human Papillomavirus) or the ways it could lead to cervical cancer. It became my mission to change that, and that’s how I transformed from a patient to a passionate patient advocate.

I never wanted anyone else to go through the isolation and fear I experienced. I wanted to ensure that people, especially in communities of color, were informed about the HPV vaccine and cervical cancer prevention, and most importantly, had access to resources that could change their health outcomes. This led to the creation of my nonprofit, Get In Good With Your Health. Through health fairs, pop-up shops, and other community outreach programs, we aim to bring awareness to cervical cancer prevention and the importance of the HPV vaccination, while also highlighting local businesses that contribute to healthier communities and minds.

One of the most transformative moments in my journey was when I met Gwen a Stage IV Cancer Thriver at a Cervivor event, specifically at the Communities of Color Retreat. Gwen, a powerhouse in the world of nonprofit work, had already established the Roy L. Jackson Community Outreach Center in memory of her father. She resonated with my vision and decided to come on board to partner with me in the fight for cervical cancer awareness. Together, we have been traveling from state to state, providing crucial resources, holding workshops, and educating communities on the importance of prevention, early detection, and treatment.

But our work doesn’t stop there. In addition to our advocacy and outreach efforts, my organization also collects items for comfort packages that we donate to patients currently undergoing treatment. It’s a small gesture, but it’s one that brings hope and comfort to those in the midst of their battle. The strength and resilience of cancer patients inspire me every day, and I am determined to ensure that no one has to face their journey alone.

I am committed to taking this message nationwide—hoping to reach all 50 states and make a tangible difference in people’s lives. I want everyone to know that cervical cancer is preventable, and resources are available to help.

We can’t do it alone, though. If you’re interested in supporting the mission to raise awareness and help those impacted by cervical cancer, please consider donating to either of our organizations. Your donation will help fund educational resources, health fairs, and comfort packages for patients in need.

To donate or learn more, please reach out via email at:

– *Get In Good With Your Health*: getingoodwithyourhealth01@gmail.com

– *Roy L. Jackson Community Outreach Center*: rljcommunityoc@gmail.com

Together, we can create a world where no one has to face cervical cancer without support and knowledge. Thank you for joining us on this life-saving journey.

---

Teal Diva by the Numbers

Cultivating strength through meaningful connections that extend into the communities we serve.

---

There’s still time and there’s still a need

---

We are EXCITED for our Charlotte 5K May 3, 2025!  All we need is you!  We are looking for walkers, runners, sponsors, vendors, and volunteers. 

---

Upcoming Teal Diva Volunteer Opportunities

Would you like to give back to Teal Diva with your time and talents? We have some upcoming community events where we need a few volunteers to stand at a Teal Diva table and pass out information and tell people all the fantastic things that Teal Diva is doing in the GYN cancer survivor community! Grab a friend, volunteer for a few hours! There are many ways to support a non-profit, and volunteering is one anyone can do! Interested?

Email our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@tealdiva.org

---

Shannon Routh

In December 2009, I was receiving chemotherapy and it was just before Christmas. I remember someone walking around handing out gifts and how sweet the gesture was.  It was all through a friend I had met, Sharon Grammer, and her organization, Fighting Cancer Inc. During the twelve days of Christmas, she created an initiative called Project Elf.  Various people/groups would volunteer for different days and pass out snacks and small gifts to anyone receiving any type of treatment during the twelve days of Christmas. In 2010, I asked how we could help and we have tried to help every year since then.  Mostly it has been me and my husband, but then friends would also want to come along and this year, the Teal Diva board even got in on the fun!

I volunteer with Project Elf every year because I know how it feels to be on the receiving end.  The holidays are tough. And a cancer diagnosis, chemotherapy radiation…it is all hard enough…now throw in the holidays too. It is an emotional roller coaster. We wish to bring a little joy and even offer hope to those who, like me, are at the hospital during the holidays.  And if you know JJ and I, you know we love to bring in a bit of fun with whatever we do, and this is no exception. There have been years when he even dressed as Elf on the Shelf!

This is an amazing project to be a part of year after year.  Thank you to everyone who makes this moment happen for so many, we are truly honored to be a part of it.

https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/project-elf-spreads-cheer-those-spending-christmas-week-hospital/BA4WS5RP65BWLFNRTXXHSUICI4

Today on the Teal Diva blog we are highlighting a little behind the scenes! Teal Diva has a dedicated Board of Directors who volunteer their time to work on many different commitments that support Teal Diva and our survivor community. We sat down with Jasmine, one of our new board members to learn a little more about her and what led her to serve Teal Diva.  

---

Teal Diva: What is your connection to Teal Diva? 

Jasmine: I was first introduced to Teal Diva many years ago, through my mom, who is an ovarian cancer survivor. 

TD: Why did you decide you wanted to be a member of the Teal Diva board? 

J: I wanted to find a way to give back to my community. When Shannon made a social media post that she needed board members, it seemed like a perfect opportunity for me to serve and give back to an organization that’s personal to me. 

TD: How long have you served on the Teal Diva board? 

J: About 4 months now.

TD: What position/committees are you serving Teal Diva through? 

J: I serve as a member of the fundraising committee and whatever else is needed.

TD: What is one thing you’re looking forward to in 2025 for Teal Diva? 

J: I am most looking forward to the growth of the organization! More awareness, ongoing fundraising, and participating in a ‘Yes Girl!’ project.

TD: What is one goal you have for Teal Diva? 

J: A personal goal would be to do my part to get more minority women involved with the organization. Teal Diva is so inclusive and I would love for that to be shown outwardly in our presence. 

TD: What would you say to anyone who wants to donate to Teal Diva?

J: Just do it. We are boots on the ground, helping the women in our community. It could be your neighbor, your barista, your child’s teacher, etc. We are there to help the women who need it the most.

---

Thank you so much Jasmine, we are thrilled to have you and your talents behind Teal Diva. If you are interested in more behind the scenes, or if you feel the call to volunteer for any of our programs and positions, please connect with us!

As you could guess, we’re all a little teal-obsessed here at TEAL Diva! But as you pull out your fall decorations take a moment to think before you decorate. Do you know that a teal pumpkin has a pretty significant meaning, and it has nothing to do with ovarian cancer?

The Teal Pumpkin Project is a worldwide moment to create a safer and happier Halloween for all kids. Imagine not feeling comfortable going trick or treating because those treats could make you sick. The Teal Pumpkin Project was created by a local awareness activity run by the Food Allergy Community of East Tennessee (FACET). Its main goal is to make people aware of the risks that this childhood pastime could have on a child with a mild to life-threatening food allergy. Placing teal pumpkins on your porch during trick or treating means you have non-food treats for any little ghosts or goblins to enjoy.

Some suggestions for non-food treats:
Glow Sticks
Stickers
Spider Rings
Bouncy Balls
Bubbles
Spooky Erasers
Whistles
Finger Puppets
Temporary Tattoos

We would love for you to join us in placing teal pumpkins out on our porches and have non-food treats ready on October 31 to support the Teal Pumpkin Project.

---

We’re back at it with our 4th blog in our September blog series. We’re finishing the month strong with more positives, more negatives, more advice, more connection, and more hope. If you have been encouraged by our blog series this month or if you want to find more connection with Teal Diva, please reach out – we are sisterhood waiting for you!

(email erin@tealdiva.org to get connected)

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

We know that a cancer diagnosis can bring on so many emotions. The first emotion we think of is the negative emotion, but we do try to do our best to see the good in everywhere we look. We have gathered another group of survivors to share, with you, some positive moments, some negative moments, and some advice. We hope this offers you a connection – you are not alone in this fight, we are right beside you, fighting for you and fighting with you.

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the support we’ve seen this first week of gyn and ovarian cancer awareness month! We’re back again with another group of survivors, another group of positives, negatives and bits of advice. Read, share, find community.

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

Welcome to our month, the month of courage, the month of connecting, the month of sisterhood. September is both gynecologic cancer awareness month and ovarian cancer awareness month. We hope to inspire you and give you hope throughout these next 30 days. Teal Diva has collected both a positive and a negative moment, thought, memory, happening; in a post-cancer diagnosis life, and a piece of advice from our fellow survivor sisters. These are their thoughts, and will be their thoughts all month long – we’re so honored they shared them with us and now we get to share them with you. So, we invite you – open up the curtains, let the light shine in, breathe the fresh air, and know you are not alone, there is hope, there is support, and HERE is sisterhood!

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

by Christy Chambers
 

Christine Schaefer –  A Resilient, But Reluctant, Advocate

I haven’t met Christine in person. This isn’t uncommon in this post-Covid era of Zoom and social media. We spoke to each other as she commuted home after work recently. Her warm voice and willingness to share her story belie the heartbreak she has lived through. 

As we talked I was struck by her ability to embrace her life in total, “today we’re talking about the ugly parts of my life, but there are beautiful things in my life too.”  She assured me that this had not always been the case. You see Christine was sexually abused and trafficked as a child. Her experience left her with fear, shame, complex PTSD, and an understandable reluctance to keep track of her gynecological health. She became very skilled at going through life, masking her emotions; she didn’t cry or laugh. She was highly functioning but not truly living. 

She began therapy in her twenties and was committed to trying to heal her trauma. ‘But even when you are deeply involved in the healing process there is always a feeling that all your progress could be wiped out in an instant.’ She intentionally built a small life, keeping relationships beyond immediate family to a minimum. 

In 2021 she began to experience abnormal bleeding. She ignored it. It happened again. She ignored it. Then in the winter of 2021, she had an episode where she experienced such extreme blood loss that an ambulance would have been warranted but, instead Christine drove herself to the ER where she received several transfusions.

After a multitude of tests and exams, she was told she had Stage 3 Endometrial Cancer. The doctor offered her no solutions, suggested she get her affairs in order, and estimated she had approximately two years left to live. Immediately Christine began to relieve her past trauma. “I was so disconnected from myself that I didn’t cry. I called my boss and told him I wouldn’t be coming to work that day and that I had cancer. I went straight home sat down in my chair and next thing I knew seven hours had passed. I was still in my coat still sitting in my chair and staring at the wall. And then Frieda called.”

Unbeknownst to Christine her boss had contacted Frieda Weeks, the president of Hope for Heather, an ovarian cancer awareness group. He asked if she would call Christine and help connect her with support and resources. Frieda called; and she talked Christine through the next few hours, instructing her to take off her coat, to turn on the lights, to eat, etc. Most importantly Frieda offered hope.

During her active treatment, Christine avoided ‘cancer everything’ in an effort to calm her complex PTSD and prevent herself from reliving her childhood trauma. After she received her NED (no evidence of disease report) she came to a very humbling realization: she had spent her years of therapy running away from her trauma instead of embracing her life experience. She had been going through the motions of healing but hadn’t actually allowed herself to do so. She describes it as a sort of cockiness. Her experience with cancer led her to a spiritual awakening that caused her to ‘speak truth to herself.’ 

Here are a few of the actions she took on her path to reclaiming her truth:

1. She made an effort to join both in-person and online cancer support groups. Christine felt that if she could authentically share her story she may be of service to someone else. That could be through a conversation in those groups, in person, or online.

2. She went back to the physician who diagnosed her for an honest discussion. She explained that as an abuse survivor, gynecological exams are traumatizing; and that her discomfort during the process was due to her reliving her abuse. Christine explained that she knew that many doctors are trained to look for signs of sexual abuse, but few are adequately trained to deal with abuse survivors. The physician was genuinely affected by this meeting and appreciated the discussion. 

3. Today she is sharing her story PUBLICLY. She believes ‘God will place people in her path’ who will benefit from her knowledge.

Nowadays she lives her life more transparently. She is more willing to share her past because she no longer views it with fear or shame; instead, it is a testament to her resilience. She has found a way to balance the scales of her experience and the darkness she survived, to live her life in a truly authentic way. This has helped the people around her know how to love her better and in turn, she loves herself better. She believes ‘the dark moments bring us perspective and lead us to light.’ She desires to leave the world a better place and to help others ‘love themselves back to life.

To read more stories of survival head over to the Teal Diva Blog.

Looking for community, we’d love to hear from you.