The Discovery

It all started with an innocent ache on my left thigh in early April. I didn’t think much of it. I had just joined True Yoga and was going for as many lessons I could per week. I did Hot Yoga, Bollywood dance and Belly dancing. I thought it was just a strain and nothing that some analgesic cream would not chase away. The muscle ache slowly extended to my whole leg.

By mid May, my left leg started to swell and darkened. The pain was excruciating. I woke up a few times a night just to rub some ointment. I was so busy at work and I didn’t have time to see a doctor. When I finally had time to see a doctor, the doctor could not find the pulse on my leg and I was quickly referred to a specialist.

Initially, doctors suspected that I had Deep Vein Thrombosis. However, the Ultrasound showed nothing unusual. I was then sent for a CT scan. Doctors found a huge cancerous mass measuring 7 cm x 6 cm x 5 cm on my pelvic. As the mass was pressing on the nerves around the pelvic, it caused my leg to swell.

Over the next few days and after many tests, they found a smaller lump on my cervix measuring 2 cm x 3 cm.

On 4 June 2008, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Cervical Cancer.

I was 29 years, 10 months and 9 days old.