Today can only mean one thing. The weekend’s near. That in itself is enough to celebrate.
On weight loss
Wanna know what else I have to celebrate? My ever-shrinking waistline! Walking as much as I can (my knee and this crazy heat permitting) has helped a lot. I’ve been eating healthy every day, restricting most (if not all) of my carbs to breakfast and lunch. Dinner is usually tilapia and veggies. My go-to snack is Kozy Shack tapioca pudding. Besides the 19g of sugar per serving, the protein in this snack fills me up. It’s also a good source of calcium. Yay for tapioca!
Last Friday I announced that I had lost a few pounds and lost a few inches. Today I can share with you that I have continued to lose inches! Today I measured yet another inch less around my hips, and one inch less around my wast.
On women’s health
It seemed like it was only yesterday that I shed light on my experience with HPV and the precancerous cells on my cervix. I wrote the post around the same time Angelina Jolie announced she underwent a double mastectomy to avoid developing breast cancer due to her geneology’s inclination. Michael Douglas has also recently opened up about overcoming his throat cancer and that this, too, was also due to one of the many HPV viruses.
On May 30th I had my fourth pap test in 2 years. Four tests in 2 years. That’s every six months for those of you who count with your fingers. And you thought once a year (or once in 3 years) was a lot. I thought it was odd when I didn’t get a “all’s clear” call from the doctor. Here’s what I received in the mail:
Dear Lisette,
The results of your most recent Pap smear shows some Atypical Squamous cells of undetermined significance. This means that although no cancerous or precancerous cells are seen, the cells analyzed did not look completely normal. This can sometimes represent inflammation or infection. There was no HPV seen. Because of your history of CIN III, we recommend that you come back in 6 months for your next routine Pap smear.
Sincerely,
Your doctor.
I couldn’t believe it. I had to have yet another Pap smear in 6 months? Spectacular. I called the nurse and she assured me that there was no infection present due to HPV. Hallelujah! And, although this was borderline “not normal” extreme of the spectrum, they were just taking an extra precaution and monitoring my cervix again in 6 months.
Am I completely out of the woods yet? No, not totally. I am praying that I don’t develop another HPV infection. I do not want to have to go through another colposcopy and/or LEEP procedure.
I want to THANK EVERYONE who commented on my original post about HPV and the Pap test that revealed it. I am touched. I was afraid of receiving negative comments (or even appearing on GOMI over it), but I received the exact opposite. I received support, and validation that I wasn’t the only one that this happened to.
When I first learned the news, I took to the internet. I found the story of a complete stranger. Little did I know…it was a BLOG. I had heard of blogs three years ago, but I never knew what they entailed. Now, here I am a full-fledged blogger.
I found solace in this stranger’s blog. Unfortunately I have no idea which blog it was as I came across it three years ago. I’m glad to share my story with you all. I’m still speechless (and honored) at the amount of personal e-mails I received after that post. My story had its purpose: to inform and empower other women to take charge of their health. About 3 women told me that they were either scheduling or keeping their current appointments. Several others e-mailed me that they literally just received the same news, and that my story helped them feel that they weren’t alone. That’s what blogging’s all about. Reaching others and making a difference!
Now, it’s time to link up your posts!
Krystal says
Oh my goodness that is my go to snack as well. I’ve been recently trying to lose weight and become healthy too and I am just in love with tapioca pudding right now!
Erica Alferez says
I swear I always get different results each pap. One month I’m abnormal the next I’m in the clear, which is always hard to grasp my head around. Bleh
Jackie says
I am glad that there is no HPV. However, sorry that you need to have yet another pap. Hopefully it continues to be no HPV.
I love pudding. But, because of the sugar content, I tend to stay away. Hmm, maybe I should start thinking about making it to control that.
Emily @ Sassy in Sequins says
Good news all around! I got for a ton of screenings thanks to a jerk I was with who cheated on me so I know how horrible it is to be super friendly with your gyn!
Lauren Harrelson says
Glad there’s no HPV, but man, you must be getting SO tired of paps – so not a fun test! Thinking about you – and congrats on the weight/inches loss!
Rachel Silski says
That is awesome you are losing weight and I am glad it is not HPV! I hope everything is okay!!! No stress!! Drink lots of wine!
Sharon says
It is really good news that the HPV is gone and I hope that the next pap comes back normal for you!
-Sharon
The Tiny Heart
Dara @ The Southern Thing says
Congrats on the weight loss! You must be so proud :)
Rachel Murphree says
I am glad to hear that your recent pap was better news. And go you for the weight loss; that is awesome!
Ashli Hall says
Congrats on the weight loss & the good news on your pap! I have had to go through the same tests myself. I hate it!
Jordan says
I am trying to link up, but the button isn’t working for some reason. :(
Also, that sucks that you have to have another pap so soon! I’ll definitely keep my fingers crossed for you that the abnormality is just the result of stress or something, and nothing HPV/pre-cancer related!!
B Dav says
Congrats on the weight loss! I am trying to lose, too!
I’m sending positive vibes your way in hopes that your next pap WILL be normal!
kugolik says
Ugh, I’m sorry your saga with HPV/abnormal tests is not yet over. But at least that letter sounded pretty positive! And congrats on the weight loss/healthy changes!