My Cervical Cancer Journey: Stage 3, Truth, Treatment & Learning to Slow Down

When Life Stops You in Your Tracks

I wish I could tell you this blog starts with a brave, inspirational moment.
But the truth is, it starts with me being absolutely exhausted.

The kind of tired that sleep does not fix.
The kind where your body forces you to slow down, whether you like it or not.

When I was diagnosed with Stage 3 cervical cancer, everything changed. Not just the obvious stuff like appointments, treatment schedules, and hospital visits. I mean everything. My energy. My priorities. My patience. Even my voice, which some days barely wants to show up.

This episode of The StacyM Show is one of the hardest I have ever recorded. And also one of the most important.

The Shock No One Prepares You For

No matter how strong you think you are, a cancer diagnosis hits differently.

There is the medical side. Tests. Staging. Treatment plans. Big words doctors say very calmly while your brain is screaming internally.

And then there is the emotional side that no one really prepares you for.
The fear. The grief for the version of yourself that existed before. The constant mental gymnastics of trying to stay positive while also being completely terrified.

One of the biggest lessons I have learned so far is this.
You are allowed to feel all of it.

You do not have to be brave every minute of every day.

The Reality of Treatment and Energy Loss

Let’s talk honestly about energy. Or the lack of it.

Before cancer, I was always doing something. Running businesses. Recording podcasts. Showing up for everyone else. Pushing through because that is what I have always done.

Cancer does not care about your work ethic.

Some days my body simply says no.
No to social media. No to talking. No to pretending everything is fine.

Learning to listen to my body instead of fighting it has been one of the hardest shifts of my life. And also one of the most necessary.

Rest is not weakness.
Slowing down is not failure.
Asking for help is not giving up.

The Emotional Weight People Do Not See

Here is something I did not expect.

The emotional load can feel heavier than the physical one.

You start worrying about how everyone else is coping. Your kids. Your family. Your clients. Your team. You try to protect them from your reality while quietly carrying your own fear.

I have had to learn that I do not need to carry this alone. That letting people in does not make me a burden. It makes me human.

And if you are reading this while navigating your own health battle, please hear this.
You are not weak for needing support. You are brave for admitting you do.

Finding Light Where You Can

I am not going to sugarcoat this journey. It has been confronting, uncomfortable, and at times overwhelming.

But there have also been moments of unexpected light.
Laughter in hospital rooms. Messages from people I did not even know were listening. A deeper appreciation for small things that used to go unnoticed.

Cancer has a way of stripping life back to what actually matters.

And while I would never choose this path, I am learning a lot about myself as I walk it.

Why I Shared This Episode

I recorded this episode not because I had everything figured out. But because I know someone else is sitting in silence, exhausted, scared, or feeling incredibly alone.

If this blog or the episode reminds you that you are not alone, then sharing it was worth it.

You do not need to have all the answers.
You just need to keep showing up in whatever way you can.

Listen, Share, or Reach Out

If this story resonates with you, I invite you to listen to the full episode of The StacyM Show, where I share this journey in my own words, voice cracks and all.

🎧 Listen to the episode now on The StacyM Show

If you are navigating a major life challenge and need support beyond the surface level, you can also book a confidential consult with me.

Book a consult or explore support options at:
www.stacymunzenberger.com 

And if you know someone who needs to hear this, please share it. Sometimes knowing someone else gets it makes all the difference.