A warning for the ladies- and off topic

I am (this week) completing my first year post WLS. It has been an amazing journey. I have gotten much healthier and feel better than I have at any point I can recall in my life. But this email is not so much about my health, it's semi off topic, but a warning to all of the ladies who have supported me over the last year. Please, please, please, please, please, stay on top of your yearly well woman exams. It is so vital that we go in for regular check ups. Many of the things they can detect in a Pap are not detected any other way and some of those things are asymtomatic (sp) meaning you would never know you had a problem unless it was too late. I have always stayed fairly up to date with my yearly exams, but because of my WLS, I let a year slip by me. I went in for my Pap, a year late, in Nov. of 07. and since November I have had numerous appointments over the results of that first Pap, and have recently been diagnosed with cancer. We are still trying to stage the cancer (adenocarcinoma in my cervix and uterus) and determine if it's simply able to be treated with a hysterectomy or if I will require additional treatment methods. Ladies I am only 33 years old, but my father's family has a rich history of cancer of all types. While I am not happy about the diagnosis I do have peace because I am fully aware that God brought this out into the open while it is able to be cured. But this post is not about my struggle but the constant nagging we feel as ladies to go and visit a Dr in a very uncomfortable situation to have tests done for some unknown reason to detect God knows what. We make too many excuses...so for those of you who struggle with getting those yearly exams in, please know that in 2 years I have developed cancer in my female organs that I never would have known exsisted without that uncomfortable pap exam. So please call your GYN and get an appointment today. Your life may depend on it ladies.

Lori...all I can really say is I am so sorry to hear this. I know that you will be fully cured because you caught it early, and because you have faith that you will be. I may be a slacker in some respects, but having my yearly exams and now mammos is not something that I put off for another time. Now, the dentist...that's another story! lol. Thank you for reminding us why it is so important to have that not-so fun once a year visit with the gyn...it truly can save your life. Keep us posted on your prognosis and progress. I'll be sending good thoughts your way... ~Suz

Thanks Suz. You rock!!!!

Lori - I am so sorry to hear this. I am praying that a hysterectomy will be all that you need. God can get you through this. It sounds like you are thinking positive and our thoughts have so much to do with how we feel and act. Try to keep the faith and I will be praying for you here. Thanks for the reminder to everyone here how important it is to get our yearly pap. What a wake up call. Gosh, I am so sorry. Please keep us posted and know that we are here for you to vent, cry or whatever. I am so sorry.

Lori- I am so sorry that you have to go through this! You will definitely be in my prayers. Thanks for the advice. I try to stay on top of it, but you know how easy it is to let it slide. Belle

Get it done girl....No more delaying.

Thank you Janie. I am fully confident that all will be resolved quickly. Thank you so much for your prayers and support. Lori

Lori, This is just so typical of you! Here you are quietly dealing with this and then you post but only because you are worried about us all! That is a definate Lori thing! I am sending much prayer and some serious cyber hugs in your direction. If this has to be something you are going to go through, thank the good Lord that it is with you in such good health and ready to battle. We are all here for you. Post often or we will all go out and do unhealthy, bad for us things! I tease but you know my heart, my friend. I will be praying for you and Dwight and the boys. I know God has an amazing plan and this will work together for good that serves His purposes. And I know that you know that. And I went for my checkup three months late but I went last week! I had forgotten to follow up on the mammo though. I will make the appointment tomorrow. Thank you. I am so thankful that you went to the doctor. And I am so thankful that you are you--worrying about us and not letting us worry about you. You are a special blessing! Hugs and much love, Caters aka Katy

I love you my Caters! You make me smile! Just in case you didn't know, I will now be the official poster child for regular well woman exams...so get ready! Every year you'll get a reminder... Right now I have complete trust in faith in my God. I just see this as another learning experience. And in a few years when Dwight come to your local conference center to minister about God's grace and provision in our lives you will hear of how he increased us through this battle. That's just it, in the midst of storms he is our refuge!!!

Lori, I am so sorry to hear this. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and sending you lots of hugs. I know you will get through this. I am glad you caught this early. Please keep us updated. On a weird note. I go to my doc every year without fail around my birthday as well as the mammos. My doctor told me they no longer do paps every year but now are doing it every other year. After hearing your story I am now concerned as this was the year he didn't do a pap. Maybe I need to insist on one being done. Well food for thought. Thank you so much for reminding us that even though we now feel healthy we still need to do preventative care as well. God Bless you and I pray that the hysterectomy will take care of it. Hugs, Anna