Tag Archives: gyno

Aug20

Healthcare Heroes

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Healthcare Heroes

Hi! The month of August has been a whirlwind of appointments to prepare for my LEEP and tubal, have surgery, and a visit to Aspen Dental for a cleaning. This has all been a bit stressful but thanks to the expert care I received, it was basically a cake walk. My gyno, the hospital staff, and the team at my dentist’s office provided the absolute best care and I am so thankful for that. Through simple conversations and their genuine concern, so much of my anxiety was eased to the point that I walked into everything with the utmost confidence. It can be hard to track down medical practitioners that are an excellent fit for you and I feel lucky to have such a trusted team in my corner!

As you all know, my gyno has been monitoring the abnormalities in my cervix for quite a while through routine biopsies. Those were always a bit scary but it needed to be done and her calm, cool demeanor soothed the butterflies in my basket. What I have appreciated about my gyno since my first appointment with her is that she speaks in layman’s terms so I am never in the dark with even more questions. Leading up to the surgery I, of course, had a lot to clarify for my own peace of mind and she was so patient with me. By the time my surgery date rolled around, I had no questions for her or the staff as preparations were underway because all of that had been explicitly covered with my gyno. It made my surgery day such a breeze because I went in feeling totally ready for what would happen next.

A week out from my surgery, it was off to the dentist where I continued to receive exemplary care. I have been going to Aspen Dental for years and will continue to do so because I simply adore my dental hygienist. She is well aware of my nerves when it comes to dental care because of a horrible oral surgery gone wrong. During my cleanings, she allows plenty of time for me to take breaks and expertly uses story telling to take my mind off of the work she’s doing on my teeth. This past appointment, she told me all about the concerts she has attended ranging from David Bowie to Lady Gaga and I was entranced. So much so that I barely felt any nerves whatsoever throughout my appointment.

I have to go to Aspen four times per year because of my gum health and I am pleased to report that I had my best visit yet. It was so good that now I only have to go every four months! Score! Both my hygienist and dentist were so proud of me and I felt such a childlike wave of pleasure as they sung my praises. I have been working really hard on my oral health and applying their recommendations and the hard work paid off. After this great success, I just had to thank them for making going to the dentist not scary anymore and they both recalled my state during my very first appointment there because I was straight up trembling. Now, I can walk into their office with my head held high and a major phobia under control!

Having such amazing medical care is a gift that I do not take lightly. Thank you to all of the Healthcare Heroes out there for everything you do! ❤

Do you have any phobias? What is your least favorite medical appointment (I’m not fond of the eye doctor!)? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug14

Surgery Story

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Surgery Story

Howdy! This past Tuesday I had a LEEP procedure done to remove precancerous cells from my cervix and I got a tubal as well and it went swimmingly. Johnny, my knight in shining armor, got me to the hospital for my seven o’clock check in and then it was all systems go. Between visits from registration, nurses, my gyno and surgeon, and the anesthesiologists (I can’t believe I spelled that right on the first go!) time moved at a rapid pace and before I knew it, it was nine o’clock and I was off to the OR! My two surgeries lasted about an hour and a half, I woke up in the recovery room two hours later, and we were basically on our way home as soon as I was awake. It felt SO good to go home and lay down some more!

My day after surgery consisted of laying in bed, drinking Gatorade, watching TV, and playing Pokopia and my Johnny waited on me hand and foot. He has been the absolute sweetest! The night after my surgery was the worst, though, because I was pretty much up all night trying to get comfortable. I am a belly sleeper and having to sleep on my back because of my stitches was just not happening. Therefore, the following day consisted of laying in bed, drinking Gatorade, watching TV, and playing Pokopia lol. Johnny even took that day off of work too to care for me since I was still fairly out of it. ❤

I am writing this two days out of surgery in case you can’t tell and am feeling okay. I actually ended up sleeping thirteen hours last night to make up for that first night of no sleep. It felt heavenly!! However, I am still really tired, somewhat sore, and TMI but constipated as all get out lol. And here I was thinking that I would go back to work the day after my operation SMH!! I definitely needed this recovery time though and am glad that I took it because despite the pain, it has been nice to have a few days off. 😀

This entire ordeal has been a bit crazy but I am so thankful to Johnny, my amazing gyno, and the hospital staff for taking the best care of me. The time at the hospital was a whirlwind but even in my froggy state on the way home, I couldn’t stop thinking about how lucky I was. My precancer was caught early and removed, I finally was able to have my tubes removed which is what I have always wanted, and I had a full team behind me ensuring expert care. Any kind of surgery is scary and there were several butterflies in my basket on the way to the hospital but all of those nerves were eased as the process got started. Or maybe it was the Xanax they gave me? Lol the jury is still out on that! But, in conclusion, I am feeling good enough to type this monologue today and that is a strong start!

I apologize for the rambling but even post op, your girl refuses to break her daily content streak and I wanted to update all of you. As relaxing as these days off were, I am ready to get back to the grind!

How has your week been? Do you have any exciting updates? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug10

Wish Me Luck!

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Wish Me Luck!

Hi! As you all know, I have been having my cervical health monitored for the past year and change as my pap smears have shown abnormalities. These problems can resolve themselves but mine have not and my official diagnosis as per my last biopsy is moderate cervical dysplasia. Meaning that these abnormalities are precancerous. Scary? Yes. Fixable? Yes. And I will be having surgery tomorrow. Not only will I be getting the LEEP procedure done to remove the problematic cells via electricity but I will also be getting my tubes tied as well. Johnny and I do not want children and I figure that I might as well get it done while I’m already under anesthesia! (I also can’t believe I spelled anesthesia right on the first go. GOOD FOR ME!)

While this is all a little overwhelming, I mainly feel good about it and have been looking forward to it since my gyno told me we have to go the surgical route. I’m one of those people that once I know that something needs to be done, I want it done ASAFP so waiting for the past month and a half has been torturous! It has been over a decade since I have had a surgical procedure done and I would say my nervousness is at a solid ten percent which isn’t bad. It would be higher if I didn’t have full trust and confidence in my gyno who will be performing my surgeries. She has provided me with the most excellent care and I know that the LEEP and tubal will be successful.

I will definitely be in the best hands with the surgical team and my Johnny is going to be there every step of the way which really eases the butterflies in my basket. Although my nervousness is at a ten percent, excitement makes up the other ninety because this has all been a massive pain in the keister lol. Also is it bad that part of my excitement isn’t coming from solving my moderate cervical dysplasia? Because I’ve been fantasizing about the post op Taco Bell something FIERCE and I am not the slightest bit ashamed to admit it. Hey, I have to have something to look forward to to face the discomfort once everything is said and done!

If you are a person with women’s parts, I cannot emphasize enough how important your gynecological care is. Through early detection you can stop precancerous cells in their tracks. Here’s to scheduling an appointment with your gyno today and here’s to me for tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Have you had to have surgery? What was your recovery like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul17

An Update On My Update

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An Update On My Update

Howdy! In June I had to have another biopsy to monitor some abnormalities in my cervix with the result being one of two things. 1) The problem resolved itself. Or 2) Surgery would be needed to remove these cells. My results ended up being Option 2 and I just had a pre-op appointment with my gyno on Monday. Either in August or September, I will be getting the LEEP procedure done which uses electricity to shave away my tissue with the issues. AND, if the price isn’t an arm and a leg, I will also be getting my tubes tied and hopefully returning home that day. It’s kind of a lot lol.

After my appointment I went to work and the conversation I had with my gyno didn’t really hit me until I returned home. Then, the processing began. Any type of surgery is scary and the situation that’s causing me to have a procedure done is scary too! For about ten minutes or so, I was deep in my feels. I knew this surgery was inevitable but it still seemed like something so far away until a tentative month was put in place. On Monday, I had to face that realization head on and it lightweight sucked lol. After wallowing for a bit, I snapped to, played some Pokopia, and kept reminding myself that this surgery was the best possible thing for me and began feeling better.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m still pretty nervous but my thankfulness trumps the butterflies in my tummy! I am so thankful that after monitoring these changes on my cervix for over a year and change that there is a solution. The surgery is not going to take long, recovery time is minimal, and any cells that are a cause to worry will be gone. These are all great things and, honestly in that sense, everything is coming up Lil Red! Remember that caring for women parts with annual appointments not only ensures that all systems are a go but gives you the opportunity to monitor any changes in real time. This can prevent so much hardship later so be sure you are making those gyno appointments and sticking to them!

The next step in my cervix saga is surgery and I say the sooner the better. I am SO ready to get it over with!

Have you ever had surgery before? What was it for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun22

A Little Update

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A Little Update

Hello! About a year or so ago I went to my annual appointment with my gynecologist and learned that the results of my pap smear had some abnormalities due to having HPV. I have had to get cervical biopsies every half a year since and recently had another one done in mid June. A few days ago I got a call from my gyno to tell me that there were some mild changes in the results and the next best step would be discussing surgery options to remove these problematic cells. I will be having an appointment to do so in early July. I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t slightly nervous!

After receiving that call, I was a bit bummed out but not really surprised. I wouldn’t have had several biopsies if there wasn’t something not so great brewing. However, after the initial five minute pity party I was more thankful than anything. Yes, there are abnormalities BUT it was caught and expertly monitored early. Therefore, any procedures that follow won’t be as invasive. And, as a bonus, I might even be able to get my tubes tied when that cell removal happens. It’s kind of a win/win. This problem could have been resolved itself OR there would be a procedure that would resolve it. I just have to keep reminding myself that this is a best case scenario even if the idea of surgery is scary.

This is all to say that if you are a person with female anatomy, then please be sure you are going to the gynecologist for your annual appointments! If I didn’t attend mine, these abnormalities that were found would continue to change and more major surgery would be required. When these issues are found early, you will be able to have a best case scenario too. The risk of not getting screened regularly far outweighs any reward and it’s so important to take control of your health. I’m proud of myself for facing this issue head on and so grateful to be in the excellent care of my gyno. I might be a smidge worried but I know everything will be a-okay. ❤

In conclusion, stay on top of your health and your doctor’s appointments and stay tuned for updates on my health journey. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Have you had surgery before? How do you feel about attending medical appointments? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec24

A Little Update

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A Little Update

Hi there! I wanted to give everyone a little update on something health related so buckle in. I am HPV positive and for the past two years I have needed a biopsy of my cervix. A few weeks ago I had my second biopsy and it was unpleasant but doable. All that was left to do was wait for the results and I got them in last week. The results showed fragments that did not show up on my pap smear and I will need to repeat a biopsy and pap in a half a year. It might be HPV related and resolve itself or it could be pre-cancer/cancer cells that will require a surgery on my cervix to remove.

Although it was scary to hear, I consider this a best case scenario result. It could either be nothing or it could be something that has a surefire way of being treated. I think that’s very lucky and I am so thankful. This is not a post looking for sympathy, but a post to serve as a gentle reminder to take your health seriously. Do not ignore your gynecological care. Attend your appointments, commit to the doctor’s orders, and be proactive in asking questions and voicing concerns. Cervical cancer is, blessedly, treatable but it is up to you to get a head start. Regular appointments means finding problems early which will increase the success of the treatment even more.

I would be a liar if I said that the first few days after my doctor called me with the results weren’t difficult. They were and I felt really sad. However, I am feeling much better after having time to sit with these emotions. The most helpful thing for me has been repeating a mantra in my head and to Johnny too. It goes a little something like this: It’s either nothing or it will be treated. Those are the facts and focusing on them has kept my mind from wandering to worst case scenarios. It’s so easy for your brain to go haywire when you get not so great news and fact driven self talk restored my sanity. ❤

In conclusion, everything is A-okay. While lifewithlilred is full of fashion and fun, it’s about my life too and I just wanted all of my dear friends and readers to be updated. I love you all!

Do you have a mantra you repeat? How do you engage in positive self talk? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah