Woman's health story to act as a warning

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - At just age 47, Teresa Brown is a youthful grandmother, some might say.  However, everyone would agree, she’s way too young to die.

“My surgery is a week from today,” Brown shared tearfully. “They’re removing everything. They’re also removing my lymph nodes.”

Her upcoming operation could very well be life preserving, only weeks after Teresa received news from an OB/GYN that was life changing. Just last month, Teresa was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

“Mine was a rare form, and only 10 to 20 percent of the people in the United Sates get it because rather than it being carried by the HPV Virus, it’s glandular,” Brown shared.

In other words, the cancer was formed out of her own cells is the way Teresa explains it.

For this Terre Haute mother of three, and grandmother of six, her recent scare started as a simple polyp found during a pap smear:  a routine exam that came back ‘all healthy.’

This woman has chosen to live with a healthier lifestyle.

“I work out. I practice good health and exercise and diet,” she said.

Teresa is going public with her very private battle with hope that someone might learn from her story.  She wants all women to not only get a pelvic exam as recommended, but to pay careful and close attention to anything questionable.