The doctor will see you now photo credit

If you’re anything like me, when you notice something different about your body – a lump, a pain, a reaction – the first thing you do is pick up your phone and tap your symptoms into the Google search bar. There’s a pause; a few seconds later wise old Dr Google looks down through his half-moon specs and then responds with a myriad of possible causes and diagnoses. At this point you frantically skim-read the first page of results and are either:
a. reassured that it’s just a minor complaint, or
b. panicking that death is imminent, or at the very least it’s a depressingly debilitating or life-limiting illness.

What often happens next is that the common sense part of your brain shouts down the neurotic one, gives it a sharp slap round the face to calm it down, and then you push it to the back of your mind and go about your day.

If the symptoms persist, Common Sense reluctantly listens to Neurotic Hypochondriac’s frantic pleas until he eventually gives in with a sigh and an eyeball roll and books a doctor’s appointment, just to silence the inner conflict that’s distracting you from living in peace. Common Sense tells Neurotic Hypo he’s overreacting, but he simply shrugs in response and gives a wry smile, knowing he’s won the battle – this time at least.

But then Life takes over; work is busy, home life hectic, and the doctor’s appointment is forgotten. Common Sense says “the symptoms have subsided, it’s fine.” Hypo is unsettled, but sulks and doesn’t push it. Time passes. The symptoms reappear. Intuition decides she needs to step in. She gives Hypo a nudge, who reminds Common Sense the appointment is outstanding, and another appointment is made…and cancelled. Something came up.

Eventually, you get to the appointment. By then, you’ve got used to the symptoms. Common Sense plays them down in the intimidating silence of the doctor’s office, as you’re feeling ok today and besides, you have an important meeting to get to. “This is important too!” shrieks Hypochondriac, panic rising, but he’s said this before and it turned out to be nothing, so Common Sense puts his hand over his mouth and drags him kicking and screaming from the surgery. Intuition is unsettled by this performance, but despite her concerns she silently retreats.

Some months later, something remarkable happens: all the inner voices agree. The usually dominant and pragmatic Common Sense finally admits he’s been bullish and listens intently to softly-spoken Intuition; both agree Neurotic Hypochondriac’s voice no longer sounds crazy but actually quite feasible, and all three drive you back to the doctor. He also concurs this time and you’re promptly referred to a specialist. But instead of feeling a sense of happiness, relief and calm that everyone is aligned and in agreement for once, you feel something else entirely.

Because it’s cancer.

photo credit

Early diagnosis is key. For symptoms of cancer, click here. 

Sam x


Fancy reading my back-story before you go any further? You can find my other blogs at:

www.costaricachica1.blogspot.com
www.samgoessolo.blogspot.com
www.mummymission.blogspot.com
www.worldwidewalsh.blogspot.com

Follow me:

Twitter: @SamanthaWalsh76 (Life:ABird’sEyeView)
Facebook: @lifeabirdseyeview
Instagram: @lifeabirdseyeview

The post Because It’s Cancer appeared first on Life: A Birds Eye View.

Wow! You’re Ovary-acting

…or are you? You don’t want to upset those ovaries do you?

Do you even know the symptoms of ovarian cancer?

C’mon ladies, we need to be clued up on this stuff. I know, I know, it’s not the most fun topic to chat about when you see your girlfriends – we’d far rather be quaffing champers over a long lunch…or perhaps you’d prefer to be at home helping the kids with their homework – well, anything’s better than talking about The Dreaded C, isn’t it? We’ve all been affected by cancer in some way in our lives – either personally or having to watch the suffering of a loved one – so it’s a painful topic, I get that. It’s bringing a lump to my throat typing this, as I recall the faces of those I’ve loved and lost to this terrible disease.

But, as a friend suffering from terminal cancer so succinctly put it recently: knowledge is power. If we know what we’re dealing with, which symptoms to look out for, we can stop it in it’s tracks by getting the required treatment early on. As with all cancers, early diagnosis is key – but ovarian cancer symptoms can be confused with other conditions, or dismissed as part of growing older, since it most commonly occurs after age 50. So familiarise yourself with the symptoms, and visit your GP if you have any of the following for more than a few weeks:

www.ovarian.org.uk

There are also certain risk factors that increase your chances of getting ovarian cancer too:

source

March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, so I’m fundraising in aid of The Eve Appeal by hosting a Make Time For Tea event at the end of the month. All you have to do is bake (or buy!) some cakes (and/or ask your friends to bring some along too), pour the tea and have fun with your friends whilst raising awareness and funds for the campaign – simples!

my fundraising pack arrived when I was leaving for work the other day

If you are not able to host your own tea party, or attend one locally, you can always donate to my Make Time For Tea Just Giving page here:

                               https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wanderingblonde

So come on everyone, let’s raise funds for The Eve Appeal and keep those ovaries happy. You’re not overreacting; you’re Ovary Acting.  

Thank you!

The post You’re Ovary Acting: Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month appeared first on Life: A Birds Eye View.

My regular blog readers will know that women’s reproductive health and gynae cancers are matters close to my heart, having shared my cervical cancer experience and subsequent infertility with you here on my blog and also via the Huffington Post. So I was particularly proud and excited when the invitation to attend an event at The Detox Kitchen in association with The Eve Appeal pinged into my inbox recently. The Eve Appeal is a charity whose main aim is raising awareness and funding research in the five gynaecological cancers – ovarian, womb, cervical, vaginal and vulval.

Athena Lamnisos, CEO of The Eve Appeal charity, had read my article via Twitter and subsequent tweets around raising awareness, and so invited me along to the event. Of course I immediately accepted and attended last night, accompanied by one of my besties, Kez Wells.

The evening was fantastic from start to finish: we were warmly welcomed with a glass of bubbly and some delicious healthy canapes, before mingling with fellow supporters of the charity and actress/comediennes Jane Horrocks and Helen Lederer.

Athena kicked off with a passionate speech about the vital work of the charity, highlighting the fact that 21000 women are diagnosed with gynae cancer in the UK each year, with 21 dying daily, before handing the floor over to Cherry Healey. 

Cherry, TV presenter and author of Letters to my Fanny, gave a lively talk about the importance of knowing the various parts of our own anatomy as women, and the cringe-factor that we still feel when discussing what goes on “down below.” Despite having had a child and being in her mid-thirties, she still experienced embarrassment when talking to her doctor. This gave her the impetus to confront the stigma and write the book – one which I’ve now added to my ever-increasing reading list.

Next up was Caroline Presho, whose life has been greatly affected by cancer, (despite never having had it herself), due to her family history and being a carrier of the BRCA mutation, giving her and her sister an 87% chance of contracting the disease themselves. She told her moving story – culminating in a preventative double mastectomy and partial hysterectomy – with humour and grace. Fortunately she was able to have 4 children prior to the surgery, but spoke of her obvious concerns for her own 2 daughters; full credit to her for sharing her story and campaigning to educate and protect others. Find further information and support over at The BRCA Umbrella.

There was just time to have a gorgeous manicure (I opted for brick red polish complete with tiny heart-shaped diamantes) by mobile beauty specialists Perfect 10 using Essie products before the raffle was drawn…which I won!

I was presented with a gift voucher for a pampering home visit by Perfect 10. I can’t wait to get it booked into my diary – I’m off to Ibiza at the weekend so am eagerly eyeing up the full-body massage, which will be very gratefully received after an exhausting weekend’s clubbing.

There was just time for a informative chat with a few of the Eve Appeal’s staff about the essential work they do before it was time for us to head out into the autumn evening, carrying our ‘Stop Ovary Acting’ tote bags filled with period-related supplies and a host of goodies courtesy of Pinkparcel.

  

A huge thank you to all at The Detox Kitchen and The Eve Appeal for an inspiring and memorable evening, full of invaluable information which I will definitely be using in the future in my ongoing mission to help other women avoid gynae cancers.

You can support the valuable work of The Eve Appeal by donating here 

Sam x


Fancy reading my back-story before you go any further? You can find my other blogs at:

www.costaricachica1.blogspot.com
www.samgoessolo.blogspot.com
www.mummymission.blogspot.com
www.worldwidewalsh.blogspot.com

Follow me:

Twitter: @SamanthaWalsh76 (Life:ABird’sEyeView)
Facebook: @lifeabirdseyeview
Instagram: @lifeabirdseyeview

The post An Evening with The Eve Appeal appeared first on Life: A Birds Eye View.