disposable undies are seriously comfortable

Late last year I had my annual physical. During that physical, my doctor inspected me and did the usual 'lady-part' testing. When the results came back, it indicated something funky was going on with my cervix. It happens, but to be sure, she ordered me to come back for another lovely lady-part test. No problem, happens to lots of chicks! Round two results: yep, something funky is definitely happening with my cervix. So I waited about a month for a referral from a specialized clinic in Ottawa to call me with an appointment to get a better picture of what exactly was going on.

(Try not to read too much into it. It's probably nothing. It could be cancer. Cancer? Really? I'm a basically healthy 26 year old. Should I have eaten more spinach? What if I can't have kids? I've never faced myself for that reality before. Cancer can't happen to me. Cancer is not what's going on here. I should probably prepare though just in case. Let's just wait until I get the appointment and stop jumping to conclusions. Oh my god. I'm not invincible.)

These were some of the thoughts that ran through my head almost every day until finally I arrived at the clinic (with my mom of course) to hopefully confirm that it really was nothing at all. We parked, traveled through the maze of hallways in the hospital until I reached the door that read 'Dysplasia Clinic- Patients only' Sorry mom, I'll meet you in the waiting room when I'm done. Thank God I wore my big girl pants today.

I checked in and was given TWO of those beauty hospital gowns to change into (wear one tied at the back then the other one like a robe, so cute).  Also, I got a sweet pair of disposable undies. Really, not being sarcastic, these were probably the most comfortable underwear I've ever worn. Where can I buy a box?

Anyways, I wasn't waiting long when I was called in to the room with the nurse and doctor who would be performing the colposcopy (a very cool procedure where you get to see your cervix on a big screen TV). Deep breath. Omg is that my CERVIX? It looks like a round slimy tongue. Gross. Cool. Hmm I just finished my online Medical Terminology course, I wonder if I can throw out any impressive terms? .... Nah I got nothing. Wait, what's that patch of white?

updating a good friend after the colposcopy

The doctor (who was very down to earth and made me feel super comfortable) poked this white patch of cells with a Q-tip so I could see exactly what was causing my abnormal test results. Luckily, the patch was small, she wouldn't have to biopsy, and she could spot treat it with little to no side effects. At the start of the day I was wearing my big girl pants, then changed into disposable undies but let me tell you, it really didn't matter what I was wearing right then because I was invincible once more! That second hospital gown I was wearing as a robe suddenly looked more like a cape. I may, or may not have, done a super hero pose as I was changing back into my normal clothes.

The point of this story? An article was brought to my attention that everyone in Ontario will have to start paying for their annual physicals, saving Ontario about $29 million. Starting January 2013. Ya, two months ago. You can read the article in the Ottawa Sun here.

Now, I know I had a little close call that turned out to be nothing but I think about the people who can't afford an annual physical or those who are just plain discouraged and don't want to pay to sit and wait for an hour in their doctors offices just to be told, 'you're fine'. To me, having peace of mind is something I'm willing to pay for but I'm pretty sure I already was in my taxes? I thought preventative measures are people's best chance at living a longer, healthier life? (thus paying more in taxes)

I wanted to share my story with you to bring attention on what could affect decisions about your health in Ontario. I hope you take the time to vote, the time to take your health seriously even if you're young and invincible, and the time to eat more spinach.

Stay cozy,

Alyssa