My name is Lily and I live in Minneapolis with my two dogs Dudley, Ötzi and my boyfriend Kevin.

I was diagnosed with cervical cancer when I was 27 years old. I am now 32 years old. I’ve had to deal with loss of fertility, losing friends, strange looks from friends and family, whisperings about my sexual health, chemo, radiation, internal radiation, losing my hair and now having to deal with my body after something as traumatic as cancer and treatment in everyday life.

I felt alone, I felt scared and I wanted to find someone that I could talk to about my symptoms, what to expect at treatment, just anyone, going through something semi-similar to what I was going through.

I’ve made this site and group to help find other women like me. I want women to know that they are never alone and should never be ashamed of their diagnosis. We’ll have a safe space where we can have an outlet for those things that are too difficult to communicate to our loved ones. My first goal is to set up events and just get us together. My second goal is to help us educate others on HPV, HPV vaccines and how we can end this disease. My third and final goal so far, is to just make sure every woman feels supported.

As of 1/4/20, I have already met two beautiful cervical cancer surviors here in Minnesota. I met one though Cervivor. An amazing organization that I recommend you check out! Here is the link: Cervivor

The other I met just through word of mouth. I can’t wait to meet more!

Here is my story:


Our survivors

Heidi, Mankato, MN.

I was diagnosed with cervical cancer around Thanksgiving, 2016. I had a cone biopsy three weeks later; four weeks later, I had a radical hysterectomy. Many decisions had to be made: did I still want to have kids? did I want to freeze my eggs? how do I have this conversation with a guy I’ve been dating for only six months? what does insurance cover? One lesson I learned repeatedly from this experience is that we are never alone.

I was diagnosed with HPV 18 years earlier. I had over a decade of normal paps, until 2014. After a couple of more leeps, the doctor took a different biopsy, one from inside the cervix instead of its surface, and the cancer was there.

After the radical hysterectomy, I developed lymphedema in my left pelvis. After a couple years of physical therapy and endless Google searches and trial and error exercise, the lymphedema has become minimal. I just celebrated my five-year anniversary of being CANCER-FREE. THRIVING!

Videos and articles

  • New HPV vaccination data released; cervical cancer survivor starts support group/ Read Here

  • Public Pap video with Dr. Teoh:

Follow us on Instagram @atyourcervixMN for all the latest updates!

We want to thank all the incredible oncologists in Minnesota who have given us hope! Your hard work and dedication to helping those affected by this disease has been inspiring. You have shown us that there is always hope. Please click link in our bio
Last Thursday, we were honored to stand with so many incredible cervical cancer survivors, their families, and friends. Together, we turned the town teal in a powerful show of strength and support for those affected by this disease. Our strength an
It feels like long ago, but I can still remember when I was first dealing with a cervical cancer diagnosis. I was scared, confused, and so incredibly alone. I wish I had had the “Cervical Cancer Companion” by Andrea Bonhiver then. It woul
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. Gynecological cancers can be uncomfortable to talk about, so they often don't get the research, attention, or public health education they deserve. Women who are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year oft
Today I'm reflecting on the heartbreaking statistics of the human cost of cervical cancer in the US. Too many women and people with a cervix have died due to it, and yet there are still so many who don't know that they can prevent it with regular scr
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness month, a time to recognize women and people with a cervix who are living with and who have lost their lives to this disease 💔 According to the @americancancersocietymn, cervical cancer used to be one of the mos
One final story to end cervical cancer awareness month! Here is Heidi’s brave story! I was diagnosed with cervical cancer around Thanksgiving, 2016. I had a cone biopsy three weeks later; four weeks later, I had a radical hysterectomy. Many
*Andrea will be on #twincitieslive today between 3pm - 4pm. Channel 5! Here is Andrea’s brave story: I’m Andrea. I’m 37 years old, and was diagnosed with Adenocarcinoma In Situ (Stage 0) Cervical Cancer at age 33 in 2018. I didn&rs
When survivors speak we listen. Angie, Coon Rapids, MN My name is Angie. My cervivor story started 14 and 1/2 years ago. I was 31 years old when I was diagnosed with cervical cancer. It started in June. I experienced some abnormal symptoms when I h
Repost from @umncancer • Join Dr. Rahel Ghebre on January 27 for a Fireside Chat about cervical cancer. Learn more and RSVP at http://ow.ly/ZuIO50Hv45W
Books can be a powerful tool to help us through hard times. Did you/do you have a favorite book during treatment? Share your literary loves below!
No, really. Like, actually do it. Be GOOD to yourself. Do something really special for yourself this weekend. Make a plan today and DO IT! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ How will you care for yourself this weekend?
News flash: Bleeding after sex is abnormal. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Unless it's your very first time, or just had the most ridiculous acrobatic sexual encounter, bleeding after sex is NOT. NORMAL. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ You shouldn't be filled with dread and anxiety when heari
HaPpY MoThEr’S DaY EvErYoNe! 🤪 LET'S TALK ABOUT: Infertility ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Chemo does it. Hysterectomies do it. Radiation does it. LEEPs and cone biopsies can sometimes do it. Infertility is an unfortunate and heartbreaking (for some) byproduct o
It might feel awkward and we don't know what tomorrow holds. The "new normal" is rarely anything resembling normal. But just go forward. Just be you. The new you. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Are you past or moving forward from your cervical cancer experience
LET'S TALK ABOUT: Treatment ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ There are a lot of treatments for cervical cancer. They range from partial removal of the cervix, hysterectomies, chemotherapy, to internal and external radiation. No matter what treatment you're facing or have f