Shonna (pictured above) was diagnosed with cervical cancer and HPV 16, a very aggressive disease that causes a lot of cancers in reproductive organs. She was sent to Amanda Bruegl, M.D., associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at OHSU, who recommended immediate surgery.
The surgery was a big success. After working for 12-14 hours in the operating room, they removed a very large tumor and got rid of the cervical cancer. The team also found some additional pre-cancerous cells in Shonna’s other reproductive organs, which Dr. Bruegl said she would continue to monitor and address.
Over the last four years, Shonna has had three rounds of chemo and 15 surgeries. “It’s been tough,” she says, “But Dr. Bruegl and her team at OHSU have been there for me every step of the way.”
Shonna’s story is the first in a series.
