How a Misdiagnosis Can Ruin Your Day but Change Your Life!

At 38 years of age, I received some startling news about my health, and it wasn't good. While living in Hawaii, after a routine female health-care exam at my local Planned Parenthood, I received a follow up call urging me to come back to discuss my lab results.

Healthcare in Hawaii

I had regularly received pap smears, from the time I was 20, however I had not ever been called back to discuss lab results. Never having used Planned Parenthood for a pap smear, or obtaining female health-care in Hawaii before, I just assumed they followed a different procedure.

I obliged the clinic by stopping by the next day on my lunch break. As Planned Parenthood was only a block from my office, I strolled unconcerned; assuming I had simply forgotten to sign some paperwork. A counselor greeted me, and compassionately informed me that my lab tests came back positive for 5^th stage cervical cancer.

My Death Sentence

Unaware of the stages of cancer (assuming there could be hundreds) and confident about my robust health, taking vitamins daily, I was not expecting what followed. The counselor informed me I had 2 months left to live! I was shaken to the core, and perplexed because I did not look or feel sick.

It was recommended that I get a follow-up appointment with my doctor (which I did) to start treatment immediately. I requested a second opinion. At that time lab results, when rushed, took a week turn-around time to be flown off-island, while I waited in deep depression.

I Sold Everything

During the longest week of my life, I cashed out my savings account, sold my household goods, and bought a one-way ticket home to Southern California, where I planned to die near the rest of my family. Church friends prayed over me whenever I ran into them, yet I just wanted to be alone and pout.

Packed and ready to fly home, I had given notice at my job, and put my house in order. I figured 2 months is not very long to get moved and say good bye, but I felt God had blessed me by letting me know ahead of time, to tie up loose ends, and die gracefully with my family.

The Second Opinion

I had decided I would not take treatments during the last stage of cancer because I didn't want to die without my long blonde hair. Just prior to my scheduled move the doctor called to inform me I that I only had a mild infection, with a very long life ahead of me. The Planned Parenthood lab had misdiagnosed my demise.

Although elated over my lifted death sentence, and still marveling over the power of my prayer-warrior friends, I had already shut down my life in Hawaii, and was obligated to move. Once home in California I was determined to do all the things I had wanted to do before but never did, because now I was on borrowed time.

I auditioned and acted in TV and movies, got married (and divorced, one more time) and became a foster mom to over 70 very special kids. Through all that I adopted my first baby, who is now 13 years old, and spent an additional 8 years back in school earning my degrees. I am proof positive that it really is a wonderful life after all!