Down Below...

Big smiles and feelings of relief today.

I had to go for a follow up appointment at the hospital today to have another look at my bits down below - I've had a few abnormal smear tests in the last few years and got referred to my hospital eventually so they could take a closer look and see what was going on. I first went 3 months ago, and today was the long awaited follow up.

I've been feeling nervous about it, wondering what they'll find and if they'll have to do anything. The amount of information they give you and what you find on the internet is, quite frankly, pretty bloody scary.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist that I saw today was lovely - really patient and reassuring, and went through everything with me before doing anything. During the examination, she told me what she was going to do before she did it so I wasn't surprised or shocked. She was really understanding actually, and asked the other nurse to get a smaller speculum for me as she could tell how uncomfortable I was finding it. You'd think that after going for smears every 6 months for goodness knows how long I'd be used to it, but I still hate having it done!

A new thing for me today was that on a little monitor I could see exactly what she could see! I didn't have that the last time I went. It was rather amazing and quite gross all at the same time. I'm not really squeamish so I was watching avidly as she poked about down there. I saw my cervix and vagina - a first for me! :-) I watched as she performed the smear test and then did a few other things to check for any abnormalities and I'm pleased to report that the findings are normal. Hurray!!!!!

I've got to wait a few weeks for the smear test results and go for another follow up in 6 months but fingers crossed, that will be it. So so so pleased and happy!

Ladies out there, please don't put off having your smear tests done - I know they're not the most pleasant thing to have done, but it really can be an indicator if something is wrong down below. And most times, abnormal results do not indicate cancer, just that there have been some cell changes and they keep an eye on these changes. If it turns out to be more serious, then a proper diagnosis and treatment plan can be sorted out.

For me, knowing that all is healthy and normal down there is the best feeling in the world. It's always difficult to know what's going on inside when you can't see it for yourself, so today was a real eye opener!

I'm really looking forward to this weekend now that this weight is off my mind... I'm seeing lots of my old friends as one of my friends is celebrating his birthday and he's organised a huge party - roll on Saturday!