Eleven years ago, July 2 2014, I survived a major radical surgery that removed SIX internal organs from my core and repu

Eleven years ago, July 2 2014, I survived a major radical surgery that removed SIX internal organs from my core and repurposed parts of several other vital organs to create replacement parts. My odds of surviving were estimated at 22% as recurrent cervical cancer is catastrophic. The final pathology from the surgery showed the cancer had metastasized to my lymph nodes. Statistically my chances of survival were 0%, with a year to live.

For a long time surviving was the only thing I cared about. And then I actively pursued being more than a cancer patient. It feels more difficult to talk about now but I really want to impress upon you that if you have had any health related concerns at all, please get screened NOW! Like call your doctor Monday. Get yourself up to date! Colorectal cancer is on the rise in younger folks. I have many stories about the challenges of our healthcare system, the impact COVID has had, how you must be persistent, and how the whole system has been in peril. If any provider declines ANY screenings you ask for, request they make a note in your medical records that they declined you.

This weekend is markedly different from last weekend’s defiance of genocide/fascism and celebratory joy. I implore you to take action now. It will only get worse.

First photo: I asked @themegallen to take a pre surgery photo of me because I knew I’d have a totally different body after.
Second photo is getting prepped for surgery.
Third and fourth photos are in and out of conciousness after surgery on heavy pain killers.
Fifth and sixth photos are of @comradeloverlion performing for the API Liberation contingent at last Friday’s Trans March
Seventh, eighth, and ninth photos are from Pride event at the Freight where @lynneeboy @silash and I played some tribe8 songs with the legendary @skiptheneedle. Thank you @nazriahi & @mofoplzz for the pics.
Tenth photo of me celebrating 20 years since my first Trans March performance, grateful and proud of all our persistence. Capture by @clawdayallday who gifted me this gorgeous antique pink robe
Last photo is post-Pride Monday morning mammogram