My First Smear Test

Yes Today I am talking about my first smear test

you may ask why and my answer is simple because I care about fellow humans.

I was so scared about having my first smear so am not surprised many woman don't go or put them off but really do wanna share with you my experience and to help inspire others to go book theirs, because it is more important then you may think those few seconds of having a test done can save your life, prevent cancer by catching bad cells early.

Anyway please feel free to read and share my post across your social media.

Guys I know this is about smears but please share this for the woman you know.

Information

As some of you know Jade goody died of cervical cancer back in  march 2009,

A muched loved woman,wife, and mum, jade first discovered she had cancer in february meaning she died a month later.

(Taken from wikipedia) As a result of the publicity surrounding Goody's illness, on 13 March 2009 government health ministers agreed to review the National Health Service policy not to screen for cervical cancer until age 25.

(Taken from boots) What is a cervical smear test?

A cervical smear test is a test of a sample of cells taken from a woman's cervix.

It is not a test for cancer. It is used to detect abnormal cells that left untreated could develop into cervical cancer. It is the best tool to detect precancerous conditions and hidden, small tumours that may lead to cervical cancer. If detected early, cervical cancer can be cured.

The NHS has cervical screening programmes in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to ensure women are invited for regular smear tests.

Some of the age ranges and screening intervals are being adjusted, and across the UK, the first test will be at 25, then every three years until the age of 49. Between the ages of 50 to 64 the tests are every five years.

Stats and Facts

1 in 5 women don't attend their smears, 1 in 4 (under 30's)

1 in 20 smears come back abnormal but Most abnormality clear up by themselves.

Some require simple removal. Very rare they end up as cancer x

Many women are putting off having smear tests, which is shocking because many people die of cancer each year this month already we have lost some great talent who have died from cancer, yes we all hate the c word but the c word is very very real.

Anyway Below is my experience of a smear.

MY FIRST SMEAR TEST

So anyway I turned 25 in december and as most of you may know smear tests can only normally be done from the age of 25, well This month I had a phone call saying I needed a smear so obviously I booked as lady on phone was saying I was Overdue and it is important.

So anyway I booked the appointment along with another for a bump I have on my chin.

Anyway after I got of the phone I googled smear tests and started to feel scared upset worried, a mixture of feelings any young woman may experience when googling smear tests.

Well with this I Set up a facebook group called Smears Not Tears, for woman to talk about smears and other women's problems and just to come and chat and support each other,

anyway So added all my female friends and then began to ask and get some girls to advise me what it will be like etc.

Many of the responses from the girls were pretty much the same, to the effect that it doesn't hurt it just feels weird, others say they feel a slight discomfort others say they feel nothing.

Anyway I went to the docs spoke about the lump on my face got some antibiotics as its inflamed, and booked a blood test for my bad knees, then sat back out in waiting room, the nurse then called me in for my smear, so i told her how scared I was and it was my first one.

so she said she use the small plastic thing which is called a speculum which by the way does not hurt at all, it just feels warm from where they warmed it up.

After the speculum was put in the nurse then took a quick swap of my cervix,

the whole test only lasted 5 seconds if that and I felt amazing after knowing Its now done,

Now I have to wait 2 weeks for the results, which is the most nerve wracking I guess.

Well now I have had my smear and If you're a woman who hasn't been yet  you're probably thinking what does it feel like well it didn't feel like anything, other than warm then a little swap that was it. many people will say it feels uncomfy ie having to get your bottom half out, but trust me on this doctors have seen it all hairy or smooth.

so don't worry about getting your bits out the doctors and nurses know what they are doing, in fact they are probably pretty used to looking at vaginas just like their used to looking at noses and legs.

some people say they feel a little bit of discomfort when they take a swap it all depends, my advice is to relax hold on to the sides of the chair, tell your nurse before hand you're scared and you like her to be gentle, and if you're really worried nervous or scared take a friend.

But trust me on this Don't Be Afraid  you will be fine, the test only lasts a few seconds meaning plenty of time to go shopping after or to the movies, although some ppl rather go home watch films and relax.

you may want to take a pad with you after some people find they spot or bleed afterwards,

although I didn't experience any bleeding with mine everyone is different.

Anyway Now I have about a 2 week wait to see if My cells are Ok, 

or if they need keeping an eye on etc.

Anyway I prob am boring you but here is a link to the nhs about smear tests.

Please note smear tests are not as scary as they look or sound.

Nhs smear test

This is also a very helpful site

women's health

Thanks for reading

feel free to Join the facebook group smears not tears if you're a female.

it would be great to see you in the group and making friends and maybe helping others who may be dreading a smear test, remember don't fear the smear

Hugs and kisses

caroline

feel free to comment below & join the facebook group.

Have you had your smear test?

Do you have any questions about smears?

Movember 2015

Hey guys and girls I apologize in advance Because

Todays post is a touchy subject one we all try to avoid.

Yes that dreaded C word, yes cancer as fearful as we are of this word.

We should not ignore it ever because ignoring it does not make it go away.

Interested we should be more open with the word talk about our feelings,

As Well we getting checked to make sure we can do what we can to prevent cancer.

Men women and children and even pets of all ages can get cancer.

This is why it is important to stay strong and not fear talking about the c word.

we should share and raise awareness to what cancer is and how to check for symptoms

This November is Prostate and Testicular cancer month.

Yes movember is almost here, click the word movember to find out more.

We are likely to see lots of moustached men all in the name of cancer awareness.

Ladies you can take part to by helping raise awareness in your own quirky way.

It is estimated that 1 in 8 men in the UK will be affected by prostate cancer

at some point in their lives, Most occurrences are between the ages of 25 and 49.

It has been proven that moving more can help prevent cancer and speed up recovery for those Affected, Moving just 30 minutes a day for a man or women can greatly improve your health and wellbeing.

Ask Yourself  E.S.C.A.P.E

Do you have any problems Ejeculating?

Is your groin Swollen?

Have you noticed any Change in size or shape?

Do you have Ache or pains in the groin or lower abdomen?

Do you have trouble getting Erection?

Personal questions they may seem but guys take my advice.

If you answered yes any of these questions in your head.

Get on the phone to your doctor and let them know right away.

image by christopher campbell

Not everyone experiences symptoms of prostate cancer.

Other symptoms may occur such as

Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs

A lump in either one of your tesitcals ( usually not painful )

A need to urinate frequently, especially at night.

Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine

Weak or interrupted flow of urine

Painful or burning urination

Painful ejaculation

Blood in urine or semen

As with most things your symptoms could be linked to another illness.

So it is extremely important to get checked over,

to make sure if you should have cancer or another illness you can be treated quickly.

Also if you have no symptoms it is important to get checked just to be safe.

Many of us have lost friends, family and even colleges to cancer.

so just a moment right now to think of our loved ones.

Also to close our eyes right this moment

to say a little prayer for those suffering with cancer right this moment.

(you do not have to be religious for this part)

Dear God

I ask you to send healing love and support to all those living with cancer right this moment.

To help them have the courage to speak out to their loved ones who may not know.

Also to send lots of love and support to their friends and family around them who might be finding life hard knowing their loved ones are living with cancer.

Please help them stay strong and give them the courage to speak out.

Give them the strength to keep fighting to kick cancer's butt.

I also pray that one day cancer will not exist

So we all can be healthy and happy

amen

So please share this post help raise awareness not just because it is coming up to movember

But because cancer can affect us all men or women and children and even pets.

Stand up to cancer share your thoughts and feelings on cancer and raise awareness.

Lets kick cancers butt and save some lives.

Men if you are reading have some balls and check yours.

Notice anything unusual go see your gp or health provider.

Don't be shy, let your balls out for the doctor to see

your doctor sees balls all the time you see

big and small your doctor as seen it all.

so guys what are you waiting for?

whip them out and give them a feel

Thanks for reading

Caroline

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Cancer Awareness Movember 2015

Dont Dine Alone

Hey guys and girls I am back with another post This time one close to my heart don't dine alone.

You're probably thinking what's don't dine alone Well please carry on reading to find out more.

So I was contacted by someone asking me if i would like to do a post on don't dine alone,

For sunrise senior living Which I agreed to do because it is close to my heart,

for many reasons I do not like the thought of anyone being sad or lonely.

So I have been sent a Dont Dine Alone package containing a Monopoly Board game,

some cards, and a food voucher This package is for an evening to spend with someone lonely.

Anyway I was gonna do a post showing you a meal with a friend of mine.But he is not been to good or up to coming out at the moment but am trying to see if I can do a post showing you at a later date

when he is feeling well enough to come round for dinner.

So What Can You Do To Help Someone Lonely?

You can help them in many ways here's a few ideas below.

Invite them round for a chat and cup of tea

contact charities that might be helpful to them

Invite them round for christmas dinner

Take them bread, milk daily essentials

There are many ways you can help someone who is lonely,

but remember being lonely isn't always about being old and having no family.

being lonely can be single parents, even people like you and I.

so always good to do kind things for others.

For Example

Recently when our water was off Due to a burst Water main down the road.

Our next door neighbours went to get us and him and her partner some bottled water.

We dont drive nor does he but he rang his sister to come help him, and he went to tescos

which would of been a 30 minute walk each way to get us some water so we could drink,

and also wash up, and wash our hands this was really helpful and kind of him to do.

we usually share things with our neighbour from a bulk sack of potatoes I brought.

And even a nice big chocolate cake my hubby bakes, and the homemade bread I bake and even the sausage rolls I recently made from scratch, As mentioned it is good to be kind share and help each other as that person might be feeling lonely or down.

So even though this post is about don’t dine alone wanted to put it out there that we should always look out for each other, doesn't matter how old we are we all get lonely.

I myself get lonely and I have a partner and daughter.

I think i have mentioned in previous posts before,

when I have helped strangers.

It is good to help others for example.

Donate Food To Food Banks.

Donate Food to elderly care homes.

Donate unwanted things to charity.

Talk to an homeless person.

Buy a homeless person a meal.

photo by paul garaizar

They are just a few ideas to help people

Although some people are afraid to accept help either,

because they are worried the person helping them could be out to hurt them.

They may even be a person who don't like accepting help but all you can do is try.

But if in doubt always contact a charity to help them as they are trained to do so.

So todays post is what you're reading now.

Im sorry its not a post on the meal I had planned for my friend.

but hopefully I be able to do that at a later date when he is feeling better.

So am gonna list a few links to charities below

in case you or someone you know is lonely,

depressed, down, or just needs some support.

These charities or places can be very helpful

Age uk

Young minds

Sunrise senior care

Please if you are lonely don't suffer in silence.

seek help or advice from charities.

speak to your gp,doctor or carer.

who can also point you in the right direction.

Thanks for reading

Dont Dine Alone

Caroline x

“Remember if you also invite a friend or someone who is lonely for dinner

tweet a photo using #dontdinealone to help spread awareness”