Support Chrissy As She Fights Cancer & Raises HPV Awareness

My name is Christine Haines, although most people call me Chrissy. My cancer journey started March 1st, 2024. I was the heaviest and most unhealthy I had ever been and decided it was time to do

something about it. I had a growth in my groin that had become very painful. On March 26th, I found out that I had Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cancer. The big "C". I had it removed in April, and the path report came back with clear margins. Yay! I had beat that pesky beast, or so I thought.

May 1st, I went in for my pap and had 3 small bumps on my vulva. I was diagnosed with HPV as a teen but had not had any signs or symptoms in 20 years. I thought I was part of the commercial that says "for most, HPV clears on its own." I was wrong. I was the part of "for some, HPV causes cancer later in life."

My gyno did a small biopsy of the largest bump, and in June, I found out it was VIN3. I was recommended to the oncologist from their practice, whom I later coined "Dr. Evil." He ordered a PET scan and was convinced the cancer was related to the one in the groin. Even after reviewing the PET scan showing only the right lower vulva, he wanted to mutilate me. He suggested a radical vulvectomy to remove my entire vulva, clitoris included, a full hysterectomy, and lymph node dissection. I was mortified. My heart was broken. I saw more red flags than a no-swim day on Lake Michigan and canceled that surgery.

I made it my job to educate myself, to find support groups, and to get a 2nd and 3rd opinion. After a long and traumatic 8 weeks, I gathered knowledge, found the most supportive group on FB, and had a 2nd and 3rd opinion. By the grace of God, I found my Beaumont Doctor, who biopsied all three bumps. The largest bump came back VIN 2-3, the other 2 were VIN 1. She recommended a WLE to preserve as much tissue as possible and stated that the two cancers (previously removed Squamous) were NOT related. Dr. 3 from Karmanos had the same opinion as Beaumont Dr. Such drastically different opinions than Dr. Evil, who wanted to remove my entire womanhood.

August 30th, I had my 2nd surgery to remove the cancer from my lower vulva. My body seems to be healing, but the mental toll of this cancer seems to be the worst. I am still waiting on the path report. If the margins do not come back clear, I will be having another surgery in 6 weeks. Even with clear margins, this is a recurring cancer. 50% of women will get a recurrence or another form of HPV-related cancer.

I've spent my whole life wondering what my purpose is, and perhaps maybe now I know. There is such a stigma associated with HPV. No one wants to talk about it, let alone admit they have it. It's such a "dirty STD." There is not enough information, awareness, or support for women who are going through this exact same cancer. That needs to change. HPV is not going anywhere.

I've been blessed enough to make it this far but have exhausted my savings. I never in a million years would have thought I would be writing this or creating a GoFundMe. But by the grace of God and the support of my mother, here I am. Alive, and well enough to ask those who can to help support not only myself but the cause of HPV Awareness.