For those of you who may not know I was recently diagnosed with Cervical Cancer.
In fact, it states on my medical chart that it is cervical carcinoma-in-situ. What that means is that it is only on the surface as of now and has not become invasive.
This is good news.
My doctor, husband and I agreed that the best course of action is a partial hysterectomy which I am scheduled to have tomorrow morning.
I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of prayers, encouragement and good thoughts from all of you throughout this whole journey.
I know they are working, so please keep sending them my way 🙂
As I sit here this morning I am in awe of how this all began.
I was the kind of mom that always, always, always put everyone else first as I know so many of you are too. I mean that is just what moms do right?
Somehow I got the notion that I was supposed to sacrifice everything for my children, including my own health. What a stupid idea that is!
This means I missed taking care of myself for many years, while I was busy taking care of everyone else.
In fact, it had been 16 years since I had a yearly pap test, and I likely would have continued to skip it if it hadn’t been for a pesky spot on my face that just wouldn’t go away.
A little over a year ago I finally made an appointment with the local doctor here to have a spot on my face looked at because I was concerned it may be skin cancer, which runs in the family.
After trying to freeze it off she suggested I see a specialist and at the same time said I should come back for a physical.
I was right to be concerned about the spot on my face and after using some chemo-lotion I was easily able to take care of it without putting on my face.
I was not at all concerned about having a physical done, but when I returned for a follow-up visit she told me my pap results were not good. In fact, she wouldn’t let me leave the office until they had scheduled another appointment with a women’s doctor that specializes in these kinds of things.
Fast forward to today.
After several procedures, biopsies and waiting 6 months to see how things progressed, I will have my womb removed in the morning in the hopes that I will finally get past this part of my life.
I wanted to share with you what has been going on and also give you a heads up in case you do not hear from me for a few days while I am recovering.
Although I hear it is a fairly easy recovery, in which case I will update you all as soon as I can.
But before I go, I want to encourage all you women to make an appointment to have a pap test done.
Somehow I got the notion that I was supposed to sacrifice everything for my children, including my own health. What a stupid idea that is!
I came to the realization through this long journey over the last year that if I don’t take care of myself, I won’t be able to take care of anyone else.
Moms, this is my plea to you.
Please, if it has been more than a year since your last physical or checkup, make an appointment today. It will mean so much to me.
But even more than that, your family will thank you for taking care of you.
I could have SO easily avoided all of this had I kept up on my yearly exams.
This is by far one of the easiest cancers to avoid and cure when caught soon enough.
So, please go make the call and schedule a checkup now before you get busy taking care of someone else 😉
