“I experienced pain for almost a year” – Cancer Survivor

– says cancer is just a word, not a death sentence

After years of enduring her silent struggle, Pauline Gouveia has bravely shared the heart-wrenching story of her five-year battle with cervical cancer, shedding light on the excruciating pains that left an embedded mark on her life forever.
Gouveia, born in 1962, on Friday during the launch of the HPV shots related that her initial symptoms started in 2018 and were very mild. Upon recognizing these signs, she promptly sought medical assistance to determine the cause, only to receive the devastating diagnosis of stage 3B cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer happens when cells change in the cervix, which connects the uterus and vagina. This cancer can affect the deeper tissues of the cervix and spread to other parts of the body (metastasise), often the lungs, liver, bladder, vagina, and rectum. Studies show that most cases of cervical cancer are caused by infection with human papillomavirus (HPV).
After receiving the shocking news, she tried her best to maintain her composure whilst then undergoing a rigorous treatment plan to combat the condition.
“When I first heard my diagnosis I kept my composure, but when I started to receive the therapy for my condition, I cried day and night,” she expressed.
At about 15:00h daily, since her diagnosis, she would begin to experience excruciating pains. As the very first radiation test began, she experienced constant vomiting and nausea – an experience she prayed to God to overcome.

During radiation therapy, she overheard that most people would normally die from undergoing the treatment and as such, fearing for her life, she expressed her reluctance to continue the treatment despite already paying loads of money given to her by her family, friends and loved ones.
As she spoke with the doctor, he assured her that she had nothing to fear and that she would get through the therapy treatment safely.
Though the experience was not pleasant for her, she kept the course, and the pains gradually reduced after the second week. She stated that her blood count was so low, she was forced to let the doctor perform chemotherapy on her twice.
At times, she described her hands would swell due to the constant injections for taking blood. This, she added made it difficult for her to even bathe herself and required family members to attend to her basic needs.
During radiation treatment for cervical cancer, patients commonly experience excruciating pain and discomfort. Radiation causes inflammation and irritation in the pelvic area, leading to pain. It can also affect the vaginal tissues, causing dryness, irritation, and discomfort during intercourse or daily activities. Additionally, radiation irritates the bladder and urinary tract, leading to symptoms such as urinary urgency, frequency, or discomfort while urinating.
The surge in side effects from the therapies prompted Gouveia to say farewell to all her cherished dreams and hobbies.
“I had to stop most of the things that I loved to do, such as travelling and my favourite hobbies. I had to constantly undergo MRIs and CT scans,” she relayed.
While battling the physical pains and sickness, she also spoke of the mental anguish she experienced as she ran out of finances.
This financial strain led her to turn to the Periwinkle Club, which, according to her, greatly helped her emotionally and provided for her basic needs. The club also offered guidance counselling during her cancer battle.
Amidst the myriad of side effects, pains and tears shed during the strenuous years of experience of having cervical cancer, Gouveia has successfully beaten cancer and urges other females to undergo screenings promptly for early prevention.
Gouveia firmly believes that persons who are suffering from cancer should erase the notion that cancer will take their lives. Affirming her views on positive grounds she told cancer patients at the event that, “Cancer is just a word, not a death sentence.”
The Periwinkle Club, founded on October 17, 2006, by Dr Wallis Best Plummer and several others who shared a devoted interest in providing support for cancer patients and survivors, has become involved in outreaches to communities, phone calls, visits to hospitals and homes, and counselling services.
It has provided Gouveia with emotional and material support, as well as the opportunity to engage in social and educational activities with caring individuals.
The Guyana Government aims to contribute to the global push to significantly reduce cervical cancer cases by 2030, encouraging parents to allow their daughters to receive the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.