Help Tinjie Fight Stage IIIB Cervical Cancer

PLEASE HELP SAVE ME! I am a 32-year old single mom from Davao City. I have an 11 year old son. I was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Cervix, Large Cell Type, Non-keratinizing Stage IIIB last April 8, 2019.

This might be a lengthy post but I humbly request that you read through and know my story. Please share my story to your wives, girlfriends, sisters, to everyone who you care for. Cervical Cancer can't easily be detected until you show signs and symptoms at the late stages. To all the ladies out there, please... please have your regular pap smear.

Did you know there is a rare form of Cervical Cancer NOT CAUSED by HPV and is diagnosed most times by symptoms? This is another reason why LADIES need to listen to your bodies and any abnormal things you may have going on...

Small cell cervical cancer (SCCC) and large cell cervical cancer (LCCC) make up a rare sub-type of cervical cancer. They are aggressive forms of a larger group of tumours called neuroendocrine cancers. These cancers occur in the hormone-producing cells of the body's neuroendocrine system, which is composed of cells that are a cross between endocrine (hormone-producing) cells and nerve cells.

Of the 11,000 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in the United States each year, approximately 100 cases will be small cell or large cell cervical cancer. Unlike other types of cervical cancer, SCCC and LCCC have no definitive link to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Because these tumours are so rare, the cause is not yet fully understood.

Small cell and large cell cervical cancers are the most common type of neuroendocrine tumour in the cervix but still accounts for less than 1% of all cervical cancers.

Symptoms of Small and Large Cell Cervical Cancer

While many people with SCCC/LCCC experience no warning signs, some symptoms may include:

• Vaginal bleeding
• Vaginal discharge
• Bleeding after sexual intercourse

Most cases of SCCC/LCCC are diagnosed because of symptoms, or a gynaecologist notices an abnormality on the cervix during a physical exam and performs a biopsy.

Small and large cell cervical tumours can be detected with a Pap smear, but many women with this disease can have normal Pap smears before the tumour is detected. Since these cancers do not have a known pre-malignant state, Pap tests are an imperfect diagnostic method.

I regularly have my menses and noticed blood clots with my menses since September 2018 which I thought was normal with my reproductive age. I also had noticed heavy vaginal discharge that has a foul odor since November 2018 and couldn't go out and about without wearing sanitary pads. In February, the odor was gone but still had heavy blood-tinged vaginal discharge. By February 25, 2019, I had spotting, abnormal vaginal bleeding with foul smelling discharge post coital which prompted me to search the web for further information before visiting my OB Gyne and found out that symptoms might be of Cervical Cancer. March 11 came and had my menses again. After a week, I thought I had my menses again but it was different. I was experiencing abnormal vaginal bleeding which led me to finally visit an OB Gyne for a consult.

March 28, 2019, during the consultation, the OB got my medical history then performed pelvic exam. I profusely bled out upon insertion of the speculum. She palpated a mass at around 6cm. I asked her what it was and suggested that by the look and size of the mass, it might be Stage IIIB Cervical Cancer. I felt it was not real, it can't be real! She immediately ordered lab tests and a biopsy.

April 5, 2019 I got my biopsy results and it says, "Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Large Cell Type, Non-Keratinizing". It is confirmed, I have cancer but I don't know the stage yet. April 8, I had a follow-up visit the the OB with all the lab results on hand. I was then referred to an OB Onco specialist. My cancer was staged as Cervical Cancer Stage IIIB and was advised for chemotherapy and radiation therapy ASAP.

I also have my maintenance medications worth php70,000++ a month which me and my family cannot sustain. Please find as attached my medical abstract, quotation and barangay certifications for your reference.I still don’t have my quotation for my chemotherapy treatment which costs php800,000.

I humbly ask for any assistance to help me in the funding of my treatment and to help save me as I am now not working and I have an 11-year old son and a wonderful and supportive fiancé who I want to grow old with and have kids. I don't want to leave a hole in my family, relatives and friends' hearts.

I fervently ask for your prayers and thank you in advance and God bless your hearts!

Bank Account details:BDO Savings Account - Christin Gertrud F. Sto. Tomas - #007770092571