Gynecology phobia

A friend stumbled upon this article and I thought I would share it with you all as it is a very good read!

Gynecology phobia a dangerous trend 

Chelsea x x

Ignorance is not bliss

Even after everything I have been through, I still manage to hear my friends say "I've never had a Pap Smear" or "I'm over due".  Its not just one person either, there are many people.  They say they don't have time, or can't be bothered among many other excuses.  Yet somehow they still have time to have beauty treatments, go shopping, see the hairdressers etc.  Have they not been listening to me for the past few months ? Have they not realised that having a Pap Smear is what saved me and how lucky I am that I bit the bullet and went for mine which was overdue.  For all they know they could be walking around with abnormal cells...or worse! 

Did you know:

40% of women are not having regular Pap Smears.

90% of women who die from cervical cancer in Australia will be women who have not had their Pap Smears regularly. 

These figures could be so much lower and it is very alarming to think how high they are considering we have these tests so readily available in Australia.  

Don't be ignorant and think it won't happen to you!!  Ensure you have regular checks.. they could save your life.  

Figures courtesy of Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation (ACCF)

4 Weeks Post Op

It has been four weeks since I was admitted to RBWH and had my surgery! Recovery has been pretty good overall.  There were days where I felt like I was never going to get better, and where I felt I had taken five steps forward and 10 steps back, but everything seems back on track now.  I have my post operative check up with Dr N in approximately three weeks and will get all the details about how my surgery went and whats next for me!

Life is slowly getting back to normal... I am medically fit to drive again.  I also have only two more nights of Clexane injections which means I can move back to my house.  As much as I have loved living at Mum and Dad's the past four weeks, I am looking forward to going back home and getting back into routine.  On Monday I return to work and commence my Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (PLT) a further requirement before I can get admitted as a solicitor.  At this point it seems like study is never ending, however there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel.

I have 2 exams (today and tomorrow) and thats my undergraduate degrees completed.... Yipeeeeeeeee! Graduation is scheduled for 7 August, so fingers crossed I pass everything and graduate :)

Best I get back to my studies!

Chelsea x x

My Next Battle

A few days ago I received a phone call which was bitter sweet... On one hand it was sweet because I was told my pathology was excellent and no cancer cells, which means no further treatment... On the other hand it was bitter because my lymph nodes were healthy and normal, but have been removed... and will never be replaced. 

What does this mean for me ? Well it changes the rest of my life forever! I now have to ensure I do everything to prevent lymphoedema. Lymphoedema is scary and I am frightened of it, no one should ever have to deal with this.  

Lymphoedema occurs when the lymphatic system does not work properly. This results in long term swelling of parts of the body, so in my case my legs and feet. Things I used to enjoy in life and take for granted are no longer acceptable. Goodbye pedicures... goodbye waxing and using a razor to remove hair from my waist down. Simple things like getting a mosquito bite will now have to be attended to adequately to ensure the skin doesn't break and get infected. Compression garments now form part of my wardrobe... any time I fly or travel in a vehicle for more than 4 hours in one day (doesn't have to be continuous) I am required to wear compression stockings to try and prevent my legs from swelling. Basically I have to avoid all things that will cause infection and inflammation in my legs and lower body. 

The Lymphoedema Association of Australia provides a good explanation of lymphoedema and if you are curious I suggest you read about it. It can affect many people, not only those who have had their lymph nodes removed. Lymphoedema can occur in different stages from mild to extreme and depending on the stage will depend on the level of pain and restriction that comes with it.  

Below is an example of someone suffering from lymphoedema 

I will do everything in my power to prevent this from happening and I hope that I never have to experience this. There is no cure, only treatments to help you keep it at bay.  

So now you can understand why this is my next battle!

Chelsea x x x

Goodbye Cancer

The past few days have dragged and I have been feeling very anxious.  I woke up this morning and got the phone and put it next to me and sat eagerly waiting for it to ring... waiting to hear good news about my pathology results.  

I got the phone call I had been hoping for and was told that the results were excellent and there was no residual tumor in my lymph nodes or tissue... Hoorah!!!! What a relief.  Unfortunately I am unable to celebrate due to still recovering from surgery... but when the time comes that I am all healed, celebrations will definitely be in order :) 

My post operative check up is in July... my last 2 exams for my undergraduate studies are in a few weeks... graduation is potentially just around the corner (August) and I can look forward to the rest of my life again :) 

Until next time, keep on smiling, be sensible and make sure you get your regular Pap smear checks, they can save your life :) 

Chelsea x x x

On the Road to Recovery

It has been one week since I had my operation! I was in hospital for 3 days, 3 nights and couldn't wait to get home on Saturday! I had to go to Emergency on Saturday night due to my catheter (yes I had to go home with a urine bag) as it was causing so much pain... I could hardly move lying down, let alone stand up and sit down and the last thing I wanted to do was spend my Saturday night at Logan Hospital Emergency.  Yesterday I had my catheter removed and it was the BEST FEELING EVER! I felt like I had improved 80% already.  I was more comfortable, could sit, stand and walk more easily.  Now I just have to re-train my bladder to work - it hasn't had to do anything for the past 7 days. 

This morning I woke up feeling re-freshed, I had a good sleep last night (first time in a week).  I was able to roll onto my side, instead of lying flat on my back.  I am still quite swollen from surgery, but each day the swelling goes down :) I will have 6 scars in total, including a newly reconstructed belly button.  I haven't seen the other 5, they still have steri strips on them, but they shouldn't be too big.  My poor Mum has to give me an injection every night to essentially thin my blood for the next 3 1/2 weeks... I feel like a pin cushion.

Tomorrow is a big day for me - I get the pathology results.  Fingers crossed I hear good news :) My recovery is going well I think :) Each day gets a lot easier and less painful and I get more comfortable.  Still a little while until I am back to my old self, but things are definitely looking up! 

Thanks for all your support :) 

Love Chelsea x x x    

4 Days to Go

Yesterday was one of the longest and most confronting days I've probably had so far. I had to attend the hospital for a five hours while I saw five different people who went through each different aspect of my surgery on Wednesday. I don't think I have ever been this scared before. I didn't know what to expect with pre-admission, but I definitely walked away with an information overload, some of which I would prefer not to know. I knew my surgery was major, but it wasn't until yesterday that I realised how major it is going to be and how much of an impact this is going to have on the rest of my life.

I can't begin to say how lucky I am that I found out I had cancer when I did as lymph vascular invasion had started to begin :( hopefully this surgery will cure me so that I don't require any further treatment and can live a long life :)

I just want to thank each and everyone person who has supported me, sent me messages and shared and liked my blog and Facebook page. The next few weeks are going to be the toughest and your continued support will really help me remain positive and get through the tough times ahead.

Stay tuned for the next chapter of my story!

Chelsea x x x