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Legislative ActionIf you live in Ohio, go vote NO on Issue One today
That's all.
For anyone not in the know, i December last year, the state legislature voted no more special elections, which were mostly used for school levies, unless a school could show an emergency budget situation. Five minutes (ok a month or two) after the law goes into affect they see this citizen led proposed amendment to protect women's access to abortion up to viability (and I think there's another one related to drawing district lines because Ohio Republicans have been doing some ridiculous gerrymandering for years) gaining traction. And they know that support for a woman's right to choose hovers around 58%. So let's just make the votes required 60%.
Well now there's a special election with a constitutional amendment to increase the barrier for citizen-led amendments so that this (these two?) citizen led amendment can't pass in November. It doesn't do a damn thing to change how state legislator led amendments pass.
Not sure what the flair should be.
The same thing happened to my mom at 39-40, she had a hysterectomy and then was totally fine. She didn't even have chemo. You've got this! ♥️♥️♥️
Thank you for sharing this - so glad to hear that about your mum, too ❤💜❤
I’m really sorry. I understand how shocking that must have been to hear and I hope you have people in your life who will support you through this. I’m not familiar with how the American healthcare system works, do you have to pay for everything yourself? I hope your MRI and surgery goes smoothly and that you’ll have a quick recovery. Sending loads of hugs<3 (if you want them, otherwise ignore that bit).
Thank you so much! The hugs are greatly appreciated 💗💗
I'm in Australia, so fortunately Medicare and my private health insurance will cover most of it, but I'll probably have to pay several hundred dollars out of pocket at least. Thanks to COVID my work had to put things in place to allow us to work full time from home during lockdowns, and they've said they'll maintain a hybrid work model. So with any luck I'll be able to work from home post-surgery once I'm up to it, which will mean I won't have to take as much leave.
Sorry for the assumption, I thought Medicare was an American thing. I’m glad that you won’t have those astronomical bills at least. But it sucks that you have to pay any of it, it’s not like you need the extra stress right now. I hope your work will be accommodating, try to not put to much pressure on yourself though. Feel free to reach out if you ever want to talk or vent <3
I have had a hysterectomy to stop cancer. The standard time off to recover here in the US is 6 weeks. And I will say, the time off is necessary. What is also key is to have someone with you (24 hours a day) for your first week outside of the hospital. This it to prevent any injuries during healing of the abdominal muscles, which must be cut through to remove cancer. Specifically, even though you will be sble to safely walk and use the comode on your own, you should have help lifting your feet into bed. Once you have sat on the bed, you myst not use your abfominsl muscles to lift your feet off of the floor and set them into bed. Doing so could reopen the incision in your belly that is healing.
Thank you, that's really helpful to know. I would never have thought of that.
How are you doing now?
I am well. No reocurrence, and I passed the key “5 year” mark.
Oh that's wonderful! I'm so happy to hear that. Thank you again for sharing your experience with me.
My Mom went through this (heavy periods at 49 and then a biopsy/diagnosis, followed by a hysterectomy; she did not have to have chemo or radiation). She's 82 and happy and healthy today. I am wishing you the same outcome and best wishes for a rapid and successful treatment course.
I'm so happy about your Mum - my warmest wishes to you and her. Thanks so much for your words of support ❤
I am so, so sorry. This is awful. I hope everything goes as well as possible for you.
I'm so sorry you are going through this, and as others have said, I hope you have someone who can support you through this in person. It's not something you should be dealing with alone. * gentle hugs to you from afar *
Thank you for your kind words and support. I have my parents and siblings and friends I can talk to, and the specialist is great - I felt instantly at ease with her when I went to my first appointment.
I'm so sorry, sis. Please don't feel bad for grieving, being in shock, or any other reaction you have. This is way too much to process.
But also know you're going to be ok! Wear warm clothes for your MRI, those things are like a nightmare refrigerator. I don't know if this is the same in Australia but maybe check out financial assistance policies for wherever you may get it done? In the US it's like a totally hidden secret that sometimes you can get care completely for free if you're low income.
Thank you - and that is good to know, I'll make sure I have layers on when I go in.
It will cost me A$650 which makes me wince, but I'm on a decent income so can cover it - MRIs for uterine cancer aren't covered by Medicare (our public health scheme) though I will check tomorrow whether I can claim a rebate through my private health cover, which I have as an adjunct to the universal health care system.
I am so sorry. What very hard news. Please keep us updated on this journey (remember: one step at a time!).
Sending love and good wishes your way
F**k, MRI is not covered by Medicare anymore? Yes, Scomo is a <insert inappropriate swear words here>.
I'm sorry about your diagnosis, it sounds like hell. Are your doctors supportive? Have you told anyone yet?
Thank you for the commiserations and support. I think some MRIs might still be covered but they cut hundreds of procedures from the Medicare benefits list by stealth - the LNP is desperate for a US style system. I suppose they have to find some cash for pork-barrelling car parks and nuclear submarines somehow. I am extremely lucky that I can afford private health cover and the out of pocket expenses, but it makes me really angry that these changes will disproportionately affect women on low incomes in the same position.
The gynaecologist and the GP who referred me (who specialises in women's health) are both great. The gynaecologist is going to tell my psychologist for me. I told my sister tonight and we'll go and see my dad and stepmum together this weekend if possible, and I'll go over to Mum's to tell her as well. It's going to be hard on them - I remember how distressed Mum was when my brother was undergoing tests and pancreatic cancer was a possibility (turned out not to be the case, thankfully).
I've asked for a Zoom meeting with my manager and team leader tomorrow, since we'll have to work out a plan to cover my caseload for the time I can't work. They are lovely people and back all of us to the hilt, so I'm confident of their support and I may as well be open about it.
Aren’t MRIs still partially covered by Medicare?
Some are but not for uterine cancer, I was told.
Shit. I saw cervical cancer included in the list, you’d think uterine cancer would obviously follow ...
Sending you wishes for the very best treatment and outcome! So glad she thinks you've caught it early!
Sending you so much 💜💜💜
Oh, I'm so, so sorry. I really am. I'm very glad you went in for a complete checkup and it sounds like you have an excellent doctor.
Of course you're in shock. I feel good hearing that the doctor said you caught it early. How lovely to have a woman doctor to treat you. I know that's not always necessary and some women docs can suck, but I have a female doctor who treats my perimenopause and it's such a relief to have her. Sorry about the Medicare - these stories make me so angry when women who need care can't get coverage.
Peace and be kind to yourself this year.
Thanks very much for your support. I'm also happy you found a great female doctor who gets perimenopause, too.
I'm so glad I asked my yoga group about good female doctors who understand menopause and won't dismiss it - the local clinic is fine for routine scripts and so on, but it's luck of the draw who you get (the practice I used to go to closed and my favourite doctors - one was male and the other female - went somewhere else). I remembered a school friend of mine had months of her symptoms being handwaved away as "normal periods" before she found a doctor who would listen to her and realised she was going through early menopause (she was in her late 30s). The doctor I was recommended is a GP who specialises in women's health and she only refers her patients to other women whom she knows are good. So I feel confident about the care I will get.
Thank you again 💗
I'm so sorry to hear that. It must have been a terrible shock and I hope that your plan of treatment and recovery go smoothly. Please keep us informed when you can...
Please schedule your surgery just as soon as you are permitted to do so. I am a cancer survivor, and know how fast it can spread.
Thank you, I plan to. It will probably be early next year. I'm sorry to hear you've also had to deal with cancer - best wishes and solidarity to you.
What hard and shocking news. It sounds like your clinicians took your concerns seriously and that you are in good hands with your care. Sending you healing thoughts and strength. Thank you for sharing your experience because it may encourage other women to schedule a visit and get early treatment like you are.
Thank you very much for your kind words.
I hope my experience might help other women too. The one thing I'd say to all women, especially those around my age, is if you notice any unusual changes to your menstrual cycle, especially if the pain and bleeding gets worse, get checked out. It's often easier said than done to find a good female GP who understands women's health so it's well worth asking other women in your social circle or community (I found the doctor who ordered the tests through recommendations from other women in my body positive yoga group on Facebook who also live in my city).
A nurse from the Cancer Council's phone support line put me onto a support group for women with gynaecological cancers called Counterpart so I will give them a call and see what they're like.
Cancer sucks.
I’m so sorry to hear that you are going through this. The important thing is, is that if your gyno thinks she caught it early, there will only be the hysterectomy.
Both my grandmother and my aunt (her daughter), had to have hysterectomies due to uterine cysts. Both of them had the procedure as the risk of a cyst potentially becoming cancerous was relatively high.
I pray that you won’t need chemo, like the other women in the comments have said, especially since it’s early! I wish you a swift recovery.
Many thanks, I'm grateful for your kind words. I hadn't realised how common hysterectomies are - so many women I know have either had one or have a friend or relative who has.
You are very welcome, and Godspeed with your healing. ❤️
Keep us updated if you wish to do so, I think I can speak for many women here that we will be beside you in support through this.
That really sucks. I hope your surgery goes well. Do you have to pay for your own MRI?
Thank you. Yes, I think I do but I'll find out if private health insurance will cover some of it.