Firstly- I've been overwhelmed by the support from my last blog- thanks to everyone for your kind words.
It's been a tough time since going in for my op. Recovery has been slower than I expected- it turns out I'm not a very good patient! I love the thought of sitting around watching my favourite programmes and reading a good book, but the reality of it... not so great. I'm not good at being told 'don't do that', it makes me want to do it all the more. I realise that this advice is for my own benefit, but those that know me, I'm sure will agree, that I'm quite stubborn. If I've got my mind set on something, there is very little that can or will stop me. This, however, stopped me; I've been forced to rest whether I wanted to or not!
But I'm on the mend, back at work and generally feeling quite well. In fact I popped along to my doctors' surgery this evening to collect a 'fit to return to work' certificate. I knew my results weren't due until later this week, but on the off-chance I asked if they had heard anything.
"I'll check- one minute..."
Longest... minute... ever!
"Yes, they're here. It's fine."
Me with a blank expression- "What's fine? You have my histology results? What does 'It's fine' mean?"
Honestly, I may as well have been asking for the results of a spelling test! But I read the notes and saw for myself- everything was ok. In short, they have removed the abnormal cells and surrounding tissue. There is no sign of invasive cancer and I have to go for a re-test in 6 months to check for further abnormalities.
I can't explain how relieved I am. Mr T and I have tried our best to avoid the possible outcome of these results but it has hung over us like a dark cloud. It's there every hour of every day. Every decision, every plan we made- it factored into the equation. It turns out that everything is going to be ok- and believe me when I tell you that I am so grateful, we both are- but I can't help but think of how it could have been.
I've spent time looking into the possible treatments had the outcome been different. It's heartbreaking to think that for some women, this is the reality. The choices that these women have made, are making now and will have to make in the future are just incredible and my heart goes out to them. I will always give what I can to Cancer research charities and I will raise funds for this cause when the opportunities arise.
I've had some lovely messages as a result of my blog and I'm so pleased to say that some women have said that after reading my story they have gone to get themselves checked. If this is you- thank you and well done. If you're thinking 'I really should go, it is overdue' please go. Pick up the phone, get it booked and just go- for peace of mind if nothing else. The sooner anything out of the ordinary is picked up the sooner it can be treated and you can carry on as normal.
This has been such a wake up call. I intend to look after myself, to overcome the reluctance to put myself in uncomfortable situations if it is for the sake of my health. I'm one of the lucky ones. I'm at risk, so I will continue to get myself checked and keep myself safe- I hope you all value yourselves enough to do the same.
Showing posts with label screening. Show all posts
Showing posts with label screening. Show all posts
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Sunday, 30 October 2011
Girl stuff- What if..?
As many of you will know, I've just been into hospital for a small procedure. This is forcing me to put my feet up and rest- not so bad, I'm sure you'll agree. However, the down-side is that it is also giving me time to think.
To put you in the picture, I'll tell you how I came to this stage. These things are rarely talked about- even in this day and age I suppose it's a little 'taboo' to discuss intimate issues- but here goes.
I was visiting my GP for little more than a sore throat and an annoying cough. The surgery I go to is very handy in that it is open late evenings and weekends- I work long hours and not exactly on my doorstep- but because of this I don't recall ever seeing the same doctor twice. It just happened that the doctor I saw this time round was very approachable- not one of those 'you're wasting my time!' types that can't get you out of the room fast enough. Don't get me wrong, it's a tough job and they must see so many time wasters, but sometimes you just need to be comfortable enough to talk about things- so here I was. He must have sensed that there was something more I wanted to share, prompted by 'how are you, generally..?' type questions which led me to confess that things weren't quite right. I'd been feeling very run-down for a long time, which was never particularly unusual as I have Crohn's Disease and this goes with the territory. However, my Crohn's, thankfully, has been in remission for quite some time and things had been much better of late... well, until the last month or so. I explained that as well as the tiredness, I'd been having irregular periods and 'unusual' bleeding. Whilst embarrassing and disruptive, I hadn't given it too much thought, but it was beginning to play on my mind- but once I'd 'confessed' all I felt a little better, relieved I suppose! My doctor suggested I booked in for a smear test, just in case, but advised that it could be a number of things and not to worry.
So reluctantly, I booked myself in for the following week- I'm never good at these things and I must confess it was more than a little overdue...
A week later, the test was over and done with in a matter of minutes- really, what was I so worried about?! The nurse advised that I'd hear back within a couple of weeks and I would be contacted about the results. That's that then.
Within a week a letter arrived to say that there were abnormalities shown in my results and that I was required to attend a colposcopy at the hospital. It said 'severe diskaryosis'. I'll admit, the bit that I read and re-read was 'severe'.
Well, that was a bit scary. I'm not sure what I'd expected, I had been trying not to think about it, but here it is. That 'something's not right' feeling again. Mr T was brilliantly supportive, as always. A quick call to Mum also put my mind at rest- 'you hear about these things all the time, it'll be something and nothing, don't you worry'. So I didn't.
Along I went for my colposcopy examination- mildly uncomfortable and a little embarrassing- it's not the most natural thing in the World now is it ladies! For those of you that are lucky enough not to know, here's a quick summary- whip your pants off, pop your legs in the air and we'll have a look with this here camera (it's tiny, don't panic!). Not pleasant, but not unbearable- half an hour and it's all over with, I promise. My consultant reassured me that from what could be seen, there were mild abnormalities only and no treatment was necessary. Hoorah! A little biopsy was taken (ouch, but again, all over before you know it) and I'd have my results in 6 weeks. I went out celebrating my 'lucky escape' with the girls the following weekend.
6 weeks! They're obviously not in any hurry and no news is good news so they say. Only, 6 days later I received a call at home. The results had shown the abnormalities to be more serious that they had suspected. They had diagnosed CIN 3 and would like me to confirm available dates for treatment. Mr T and I had our wedding just around the corner, but they explained that I couldn't travel for 6 weeks after treatment- we didn't even know what 'treatment' was! Mild panic set in, we tried to bring the whole wedding forward, but the honeymoon couldn't be rearranged without paying the cost all over again. Absolute chaos.
Eventually, after speaking with my consultant, we decided that we would move the actual wedding day forward but leave everything else as it was. What was most important to us right then and there was to be married- to be happy- and let everything else wait. So we did. The consultant made me promise to book in for treatment as soon as we were back from our Honeymoon.
So here we are- I've just been in for my cone biopsy, now I'm home resting... and thinking. The lead-up to the wedding left no time for thought! We've been so very busy, so much to do, the dust is finally settling.
And I'm scared.
I have a two week wait for my results. Then, hopefully, I'll be told that they've removed the abnormal cells and everything is going to be ok. I'm aware that there will be regular screening and monitoring now I'm 'at risk', but that's a good thing. But I can't escape that 'what if' feeling. What if it's not all over. What if when my results are back from histology they find out that it's more sinister? What if it's the 'Big C'? What if I can't have children? I've always just assumed that it's my right to decide. Everything could change.
Many people have sent well wishes and asked how I am- and I genuinely appreciate it. I will always say I'm fine, because that's what people need to hear, and mostly- I am fine. But just sometimes, the what-ifs creep up on me. Any ladies reading this can help- get yourselves checked. Put up with the embarrassment and look after yourselves- regularly. Don't put it off like I did, it's not worth the worry, not worth the 'what-ifs'! Gents, if you're still reading- well done, and prompt the ladies in your life to look after themselves.
So many things can be prevented if we just do the little things available to keep us healthy. Stop putting it off- be safe, be healthy and live the longest happiest life you can.
I'm sure I'll be just fine and of course I'll keep you all posted- I just wanted to share, honestly, with you and hope to make a difference to maybe just one person thinking, 'Ah, I'll sort it out next week'.
To put you in the picture, I'll tell you how I came to this stage. These things are rarely talked about- even in this day and age I suppose it's a little 'taboo' to discuss intimate issues- but here goes.
I was visiting my GP for little more than a sore throat and an annoying cough. The surgery I go to is very handy in that it is open late evenings and weekends- I work long hours and not exactly on my doorstep- but because of this I don't recall ever seeing the same doctor twice. It just happened that the doctor I saw this time round was very approachable- not one of those 'you're wasting my time!' types that can't get you out of the room fast enough. Don't get me wrong, it's a tough job and they must see so many time wasters, but sometimes you just need to be comfortable enough to talk about things- so here I was. He must have sensed that there was something more I wanted to share, prompted by 'how are you, generally..?' type questions which led me to confess that things weren't quite right. I'd been feeling very run-down for a long time, which was never particularly unusual as I have Crohn's Disease and this goes with the territory. However, my Crohn's, thankfully, has been in remission for quite some time and things had been much better of late... well, until the last month or so. I explained that as well as the tiredness, I'd been having irregular periods and 'unusual' bleeding. Whilst embarrassing and disruptive, I hadn't given it too much thought, but it was beginning to play on my mind- but once I'd 'confessed' all I felt a little better, relieved I suppose! My doctor suggested I booked in for a smear test, just in case, but advised that it could be a number of things and not to worry.
So reluctantly, I booked myself in for the following week- I'm never good at these things and I must confess it was more than a little overdue...
A week later, the test was over and done with in a matter of minutes- really, what was I so worried about?! The nurse advised that I'd hear back within a couple of weeks and I would be contacted about the results. That's that then.
Within a week a letter arrived to say that there were abnormalities shown in my results and that I was required to attend a colposcopy at the hospital. It said 'severe diskaryosis'. I'll admit, the bit that I read and re-read was 'severe'.
Well, that was a bit scary. I'm not sure what I'd expected, I had been trying not to think about it, but here it is. That 'something's not right' feeling again. Mr T was brilliantly supportive, as always. A quick call to Mum also put my mind at rest- 'you hear about these things all the time, it'll be something and nothing, don't you worry'. So I didn't.
Along I went for my colposcopy examination- mildly uncomfortable and a little embarrassing- it's not the most natural thing in the World now is it ladies! For those of you that are lucky enough not to know, here's a quick summary- whip your pants off, pop your legs in the air and we'll have a look with this here camera (it's tiny, don't panic!). Not pleasant, but not unbearable- half an hour and it's all over with, I promise. My consultant reassured me that from what could be seen, there were mild abnormalities only and no treatment was necessary. Hoorah! A little biopsy was taken (ouch, but again, all over before you know it) and I'd have my results in 6 weeks. I went out celebrating my 'lucky escape' with the girls the following weekend.
6 weeks! They're obviously not in any hurry and no news is good news so they say. Only, 6 days later I received a call at home. The results had shown the abnormalities to be more serious that they had suspected. They had diagnosed CIN 3 and would like me to confirm available dates for treatment. Mr T and I had our wedding just around the corner, but they explained that I couldn't travel for 6 weeks after treatment- we didn't even know what 'treatment' was! Mild panic set in, we tried to bring the whole wedding forward, but the honeymoon couldn't be rearranged without paying the cost all over again. Absolute chaos.
Eventually, after speaking with my consultant, we decided that we would move the actual wedding day forward but leave everything else as it was. What was most important to us right then and there was to be married- to be happy- and let everything else wait. So we did. The consultant made me promise to book in for treatment as soon as we were back from our Honeymoon.
So here we are- I've just been in for my cone biopsy, now I'm home resting... and thinking. The lead-up to the wedding left no time for thought! We've been so very busy, so much to do, the dust is finally settling.
And I'm scared.
I have a two week wait for my results. Then, hopefully, I'll be told that they've removed the abnormal cells and everything is going to be ok. I'm aware that there will be regular screening and monitoring now I'm 'at risk', but that's a good thing. But I can't escape that 'what if' feeling. What if it's not all over. What if when my results are back from histology they find out that it's more sinister? What if it's the 'Big C'? What if I can't have children? I've always just assumed that it's my right to decide. Everything could change.
Many people have sent well wishes and asked how I am- and I genuinely appreciate it. I will always say I'm fine, because that's what people need to hear, and mostly- I am fine. But just sometimes, the what-ifs creep up on me. Any ladies reading this can help- get yourselves checked. Put up with the embarrassment and look after yourselves- regularly. Don't put it off like I did, it's not worth the worry, not worth the 'what-ifs'! Gents, if you're still reading- well done, and prompt the ladies in your life to look after themselves.
So many things can be prevented if we just do the little things available to keep us healthy. Stop putting it off- be safe, be healthy and live the longest happiest life you can.
I'm sure I'll be just fine and of course I'll keep you all posted- I just wanted to share, honestly, with you and hope to make a difference to maybe just one person thinking, 'Ah, I'll sort it out next week'.
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