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How I Found Out I had Cervical Cancer - Mila | The Patient Story

The Patient Story・16 minutes read

Mila Wisniewski, a cervical cancer survivor, underwent a challenging treatment journey involving surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation due to stage 1b1 cancer with lymph node involvement. Post-treatment, she faced ongoing fatigue, financial strain from healthcare inefficiencies, and the importance of advocating for oneself in navigating the healthcare system for better outcomes.

Insights

  • Mila Wisniewski's journey through cervical cancer treatment highlights the importance of patient advocacy in healthcare, emphasizing the need for individuals to conduct research, seek second opinions, and communicate assertively during medical appointments to ensure personalized and effective treatment.
  • The financial challenges faced by patients due to the inefficiencies in the healthcare system, such as multiple bills from different providers for the same visit, underscore the necessity of meticulous record-keeping and proactive communication with insurance providers to rectify errors and discrepancies, preventing significant financial implications for patients.

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Recent questions

  • What symptoms may indicate cervical cancer?

    Lump in cervix, bleeding after sex

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Summary

00:00

Survivor's Journey: Overcoming Cervical Cancer Challenges

  • Mila Wisniewski, a cervical cancer survivor, initially struggled to come to terms with her diagnosis, feeling shocked and unable to say the word "cancer."
  • She experienced symptoms like a lump in her cervix and bleeding after sex, leading to a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma through a routine pap smear.
  • Despite delaying her colposcopy due to other priorities, Mila was diagnosed with stage 1b1 cancer, necessitating a radical trachelectomy to remove part of her cervix.
  • Post-surgery, it was discovered that her cancer had spread to two lymph nodes, prompting a treatment plan involving chemo and radiation.
  • Mila underwent 25 sessions of daily radiation, receiving three tattoos for alignment purposes and experiencing skin sensitivity and lesions as side effects.
  • Her chemotherapy with Cisplatin was reduced from six to four sessions due to neurotoxicity, causing ringing in her ears and necessitating a pick line for treatment.
  • Mila's chemo days were challenging, with severe nausea, taste loss, and heightened sense of smell, alleviated only by weed edibles for appetite and comfort.
  • The use of cold caps during chemo sessions helped Mila retain her hair, a significant aspect of maintaining a sense of normalcy and control during her treatment.
  • Post-treatment, Mila resumed normal life but faced ongoing fatigue, regular medical check-ups, and pelvic physical therapy to address radiation-induced muscle constriction and scar tissue.
  • She highlighted the financial inefficiencies in the healthcare system, where multiple bills from different providers for the same visit can create confusion and financial strain for patients.

15:11

"Proactive Advocacy: Navigating Healthcare for Better Outcomes"

  • Keeping track of medical bills by noting reference numbers, dates, and appointment details in a spreadsheet can help in identifying errors and discrepancies in insurance payments, requiring proactive communication with insurance providers to rectify potential mistakes that could lead to significant financial implications.
  • Advocating for oneself in healthcare involves conducting research, seeking second opinions, and speaking up if something feels amiss during medical appointments to ensure personalized and effective treatment, emphasizing the importance of being proactive and assertive in navigating the healthcare system for better outcomes and peace of mind.
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