Is it all in VaIN?

[Teacher_Mum]

VaIN 1 Stage 0 (pre-cancer) is the official term. “VaIN is more common in women who have had a hysterectomy for cervical or other related cancers” Yes it can be managed and although it is pre-malignant and has not developed into cancer it can alter the current cells (possible is the word of the day). What worries me somewhat is that is the ’second’ issue relating to a tumour/pre-cancer in 12 months. How long is this going to go on for I suppose is like asking how long is a piece of string… ET Tumour was removed by the TAH (Hysterectomy) now we have abnormal cells, sometimes I have to wonder what is next. My tumour/pre-cancer issues aren’t obvious but my participation in the Worlds Greatest Shave is and it so happens that I am in Oncology and have had a tumour and may have the very early stages of Va. Cancer but have not had Chemo (for this issue) YET I look like what I call ‘the suffering cancer patient”. So today, when I ventured out in public I received two responses. 1) Was from university staff who didn’t know my plight and quite frankly didnt know where to look and 2) From 18/19 year old spunky looking fashionable males who went out of their way to chat and have a conversation, maintain eye contact and seek to know me which felt satisfactorily interesting in a cougaresque kind of way! And so it goes, someones you just have to take it one step at a time

[Mrs_Elton]

Hey Teach, Go Cougar!!! Courtney Cox eat your heart out! On a more serious note, I don't envy your stress, that bloody piece of string is so damn frustrating. All the best to you, Jill

[Sailor]

Ah Teacher Mum Us university staff (now ex university staff - I guess that makes me a has been!) never know where to look with the antics of some of our adult students. At least you weren't the student who wanted to show me her caesarian section scar when she heard that I had been in hospital for therapy over January. We left with the agreement that I wouldn't show her my scars if she didn't show me hers - and this was in front of the rest of the class. You rapidly learn it is safer not to look and never to comment. On a more serious note - living with cancer, or the expectation of more cancer, is a right pain. It is learning to manage the 'when not if' scenario. The Cancer Council does run some excellent Living with Cancer programs and I know that they run them in regional centres - give 13 11 20 a call and they can tell you when the next one is. They also have done some 'When Cancer Won't Go Away' sessions. Hang in there and growl like a Cougar. cheers Sailor

[samex]

Compared to some of you guys I am on easy street but that bloody piece of string doesn't go away does it? Hang in there Teach. S