Look After your Lady Parts!

From the title, you’ll probably gather just what this blog is about, but don’t be frightened boys, share this with the ladies in your lives; your Mum, wife, sister, cousins and friends – look after your loved ones.

Yesterday, I had a smear test, these aren’t fun or comfortable, physically or socially (no matter how casual a conversation about getting your mobility scooter on a train is – this is a weird procedure!).

I had meant to have one last year and simply just kept forgetting to book it, only to be annoyed when Carrie (my code name of my periods – yes referencing the horror movie) arrived. It suddenly occurred to me last month that I was the same age as a close family member was when they had pre-cancerous cells in their cervix – terrifying!

I’d made a specific appointment for the smear test; it wasn’t my first, but I knew it was the necessary evil. We’ve all read the stories of women with female cancers getting younger and younger, which is why I cannot fathom why the first smear test,  for any women, isn’t taken until they’re 25. There are people protesting for the age to be lowered to 18 or 21 and I agree, but on the flip side, I know ladies in their 30, 40’s and 50’s who have ignored the test offer letters including those who’ve had children.

Please don’t  ignore them, ladies, cervical cancer is a silent killer with all too subtle symptoms; unusual bleeding, constipation, back pain, swollen legs and lack of energy – show me a woman who doesn’t have at least one of these symptoms weekly or at least during their period.

Borrowed from Radiant Health Magazine

The nurse or doctor administering your test has seen many many vagina’s and are not fazed;  even if you turn a shade of scarlet, shake like a leaf and have a 70’s do down there, the medical professionals do not care, the only thing they care about is your health – as should you, above any embarrassment!

Also, please look after your breasts, boobs, puppies, baps – whatever you call them (this goes out to you too gentlemen – yes your breasts can kill you too – the bastards!) Use the Coppa Feel Guide below to check your beautiful boobies and if you have any changes at all that worry you, get a loved one to check too and then go and see your GP – the quicker anything nasty is caught, the better!

Borrowed from CoppaFeel

Until Next Wednesday!

L xxx

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For more information go to these websites;

NHS Cervical Cancer Guide

Coppafeel - Breast Cancer Charity

Cancer

If you’re on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, you’ve probably seen your nearest and dearest posting photos of themselves without make up. Don’t worry, we haven’t all gone mad, a sudden trend started a couple of days ago with the hashtag #nomakeupselfie. I’m not entirely sure where or how it started, but Cancer Research has reported a surge in generous donations, which in the last 24hrs has raised over 1 million pounds!!!!!

The challenge is to take a photo of yourself without make up and post it on your social media. When I was nominated to do so, I figured it wasn’t a big deal, but when I started taking the photos, I got so het up and annoyed with my face lol! I, like many, hide behind my makeup it seems.

I take a lot of medication, I’m in a lot of pain, I sleep very little and I have an ongoing love affair with chocolate, these all add to bags, black eyes and bad #nomakeupselfies!

I had to give myself a psychological slap in the face. Of all the things to get distressed about! I’m concerned about my completion when there are people dying of Cancer – I obviously missed the point of the project entirely - doh!

Here is my #nomakeupselfie, I’ve taken three photos as I was nominated on Facebook three times by Gemma, Emma and Natalie!

Cancer has affected my life in many ways. I lost several buddies to the disease, my best friend lost her Mum to the Big C, my online buddy/writer/fundraiser Lisa Lynch lost her battle with cancer last year and my guy Mike lost his beloved Granddad when he was a teenager.

BUT and it’s a BIG BUT, many of my loved ones have survived due to the fundraising, the research and the new treatments being developed every day of every year!

My Friend Stephan survived Cancer and is now married to his beautiful wife Nada and they have their gorgeous Son Luka. 

Stephan and Nada

Luka

My pal Charlotte, got through Cancer twice and she and her Husband have their unbelievably cute daughter Eva.

I’ve recently got back in touch with a friend from hospital. My fellow hospital buddies and I had heard that our friend Gaz had died, only for us to be watching the Paralympics and who so we see?....... Gaz playing wheelchair basketball! (Possibly the most weird and wonderful moment in my life!)

Gaz Choudhry

My pal Lucy has Endometriosis but she fundraises for Cancer after her lovely Mum Sandra got Breast Cancer, luckily Sandra survived as did my friend Kelly who lives to fight another day too!

Should you wish to be involved I challenge you all to a #nomakeupselfie and if you do PLEASE text BEAT to 70099 to donate £3! There is no excuse for the men to not be involved either, on Twitter men are posting photos of themselves IN makeup! Are you man enough?

All these happy stories were brought to you via Cancer and together with all the support, doing #nomakeupselfies, growing bum fluff moustaches for Movember and donating money we're working towards that wondrous cure!

L x