{"id":3672993,"date":"2025-09-25T11:44:15","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T15:44:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vip2-msd.com\/merckcom-migrated\/?post_type=story&p=3672993"},"modified":"2025-09-25T11:44:16","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T15:44:16","slug":"finding-joy-after-surviving-cervical-cancer-twice","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/vip2-msd.com\/merckcom-migrated\/stories\/finding-joy-after-surviving-cervical-cancer-twice\/","title":{"rendered":"Finding joy after surviving cervical cancer twice"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n \n Health awareness<\/small>\n <\/a>\n \n \n

\n Finding joy after surviving cervical cancer twice\n <\/h1>\n

How one woman embraced life, marriage and motherhood despite her cervical cancer diagnosis<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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September 25, 2025<\/p>\n

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Several years ago, Christine Granado was living happily in New Jersey with her fianc\u00e9 and then-9-year-old son, but she felt something wasn\u2019t right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the span of a year, she lost three pregnancies. The first miscarriage came as a total shock. With the second, she felt confused. After the third, she was afraid something was terribly wrong. She decided to go for a routine checkup. While undergoing a series of tests ordered by her OB-GYN, she got surprising news: she was diagnosed with stage IIB squamous cell cervical cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes. At just 28, Christine said she felt disbelief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“How can I have cancer at this age?” she asked herself. “I remember peeking through my bangs, feeling like I was trying to hide behind them.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Young women are at risk for cervical cancer, too<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Granado wasn’t alone in asking herself that question. Cervical cancer is most often diagnosed between the ages of 35 and 44. In 2022, over 660,000 people around the world were diagnosed with cervical cancer. In 2025, it’s estimated that around 13,000 people will be diagnosed with cervical cancer in the U.S.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regular screenings can catch early changes in the cervix before they turn into cancer, but not everyone has the same access or risk factors for cervical cancer. That’s why it’s so important to make sure everyone gets the care they need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beginning her cancer treatment journey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Granado started treatment as soon as possible. She was prepared for physical side effects but was overwhelmed by the other changes that soon followed, including how she felt about losing her fertility. She and her partner discussed preserving her eggs but decided against it as doing so would have delayed her treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Granado\u2019s cancer went into remission for three years, and she found joy again: She and her fianc\u00e9 got married and decided to have a baby via surrogate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shock of a recurring cancer diagnosis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Then, soon before her son was born, Granado started having unexplained chest pains. A CT scan found enlarged lymph nodes. She was diagnosed with metastatic cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen I got the recurrence diagnosis, I was devastated. It was hard to hear, but it motivated me to finish things, to contact a lawyer and get things in my kids\u2019 names — to think about life after me,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also motivated her to continue with more treatments. During her second round of treatment, Granado was able to welcome her new son. When she saw him, she took him in her arms: \u201cI bawled my eyes out.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A focus on mental health <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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In addition to her son\u2019s arrival, Granado said a focus on herself has sharpened her resolve to live her best life. When the cancer came back, she grieved for her life. She would cry and sleep all day. Her depression stopped her from enjoying precious time with her family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe most disabling thing I dealt with was the depression,\u201d she said. \u201cThere were days when I would feel physically OK, but I\u2019d still stay in bed all day.\u201d Thankfully, Granado had the support of a psychologist and a psychiatrist who helped her feel well again. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Cervical cancer won\u2019t stop her from living her best life <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Granado has been able to complete a master\u2019s degree in health leadership, and her family has a new border collie named Harry. Even everyday activities like going to the hardware store and winding down with a book mean so much more now. She appreciates the small details, like watching TV with her son on the couch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLife has been amazingly boring,\u201d she says. \u201cIn a good way.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Granado said she hopes her story will inspire others and give them hope in the face of a cancer diagnosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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