The Lady Doctor

WARNING: DO NOT READ THIS IF YOU HAVE ISSUES WITH HEARING ABOUT PERSONAL STUFF OR FEMALE ANATOMY. JUST WARNING YOU NOW IF YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT, DON'T READ IT....

Okay consider yourself warned. So I don't know how all of you started your week out, but my week began this morning with a trip to the lady doctor. Now don't be jealous. It was a fairly quick visit, just not quick enough. I had a six month check up to have a Pap in order to follow up with a small procedure that I had done in January. For several years now, I have had abnormal/ pre-cancerous cells on my cervix and am at a high risk for cervical cancer. I have had numerous biopsies, culposcopies, and in January finally had to have a LEEP procedure. Google it if you must to find out what it is, I promise it is not pleasant and is as bad as it sounds. Now I don't usually talk about my personal body with people, especially so publicly, but I think it is important that I share this if only to encourage more women out there to take more caution with their body and to make sure they are healthy. Cervical cancer is known as a deadly killer mainly because most women don't know they have it until it is practically too late. The best way to protect yourself is having regular Pap tests. Now we all know the lady doctor is not a pleasant experience and is always awkward, but it will save your life. Today, the doctor told me that my "cervix has healed nicely and is looking good". Now if I had a dollar for every time I heard that, well I would have a dollar :). Fingers crossed that the Pap finally comes back normal and "looking good" too. But seriously, all kidding aside, we all need to be more proactive in taking care of ourselves and our bodies. I work in a field with hospice where cancer is literally a death sentence, but it doesn't always have to be. I was deeply inspired this month while participating in the Relay for Life cancer walk with how many strong people out there fight cancer and (sorry in advance for the potty mouth) "kick cancer's ass". There are so many inspiring people in my life who are examples to me of how to fight and what it means to be a true survivor. I am grateful everyday that things are not worse and that I have a great doctor who is keeping me in check. Now for all my female friends out there, keep yourself in check and if you have been putting off your yearly exam, please promise me you will stop that right now and get your bum to the lady doctor so that he can tell you your cervix looks good too :).