What Has Made Me Cheerful This Week? #R2BC

What has made me cheerful this week - a great question.  The answer - quite alot.  I am linking up with Michelle at Mummy from the Heart and other bloggers who take some time throughout the week, no matter how good or bad, to find 'Reasons to be Cheerful'.

 

Here are mine, once you have read these, give some thought to your own week, even if you do not write it down the exercise will leave you feeling better than when you started.

 

* Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (#CCPW) was a huge success.  I had a lot of positive feedback and fabulous tweeters on Twitter really helped spread the word.  The really great news was several women messaged me to say that they had made a point of booking their screening.  My stand throughout the whole thing was if just one women did this it was all worth it, so you can imagine 'women' in the multiple sense was thrilling.  It was great to see such good national coverage on the campaign too.

 

* I spent the weekend with one of my oldest, dearest, best friends who I have not seen in person for ten years.  We lost touch a few years back, when life goes in different directions as it does but have been in touch virtually for over a year now.  We finally got our calendars together for a writing course we both really wanted to attend and made the whole weekend of it.  From the minute we met up on Friday evening we picked up where we had left off (but in nicer cars and houses) - and they say that is the sign of true friendship.

 

* I attended the Mumsnet hosted 'Starting out as a Freelance Writer' course at the weekend (tutor : Joanna Moorhead).  It was a wonderful insight into the world of feature writing.  Joanna broke down the myth and maze of getting ideas to relevant platforms. As well as being a great course, their was varied mix of women and it was so beneficial to have all of those minds joining in discussions and pitch practise.  I learnt an awful lot and feel very confident that this is the right direction of career for me now. 

 

* My services in Social Media have been procured for some actual paid work.  It isn't too much to take on at the moment as J2 is still at home full time but enough for me to get into the routine of fitting work into my routine.

 

* I chucked my name in the hat for a writing competition run by The Readers Digest this week.  I thought 'Got to be in it to win it' so overcome my 'I am not good enough fear' and gave it a whirl.  I am going to do this more frequently, thanks to the fantastic supplement that came with Writers Magazine a few months ago.

 

* The adaptions on J1's car that have been misbehaving were finally remedied this week.  It has taken four months, due to a 'delivery address' misunderstanding but it is now all working as it should be.

 

* We got confirmation this week that J1's bike has been ordered.  I think I can hear the 'tap tap tink' of it being built in Holland as I type.  This means we will certainly have it for when the warmer weather decides to grace us with it's presence.

 

I did warn you I had a lot of harp on about this week - but I thank my lucky stars I can, not all weeks are so positive and proactive so I like to make the most of the ones that are.

January Round Up (linking up with Naked Mums)

As the end of a long, chilly January comes to a close the time has come to summarise the first month of 2013.  It is an ideal opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved, or not after all the wishful wondering that a new year brings.

 

I am linking this post up with other bloggers seeking inspiration to make this year a better one, for whatever reason.  Hop over to Kate at The Naked Mum and find out how you can join in.  It is a great place to find support and inspiration in the positive changes you are trying to make.

 

January started slow and not at all how I wanted it too.  Blighted by a flu bug from 18 December, our family was unwell for the duration of Christmas and New Year.  This, for me, was extremely frustrating as I had planned to start the year running - in the literal and metaphorical sense.

 

However, forced to get back up and into the swing of things once school started we all saw an improvement to our health.  Our routine began to once again take shape and the post Christmas sluggishness started to dissipate.

 

This of course has also resulted in my, pretty low mood, picking up and I can say that for the time left in January I feel quite a lot has been achieved.  On the family front, The Hubby and I seem to be getting on much better of late.  Not that we were not rubbing along before, but we seem to be communicating more.  Always good.

 

I have attended quite a lot of appointments for J1 and things that we have been waiting some time to get going, now seem to be rolling.  I know that they will continue to take time but at least I have leads to chase.

 

I have submitted the hours that I would like for J2 at nursery when his allowance starts at the beginning of April.  This has given me some real perspective that life as I have known it for the last (almost) three years is starting to change.

 

Therefore, I have decided now is the time to start laying down some groundwork for what I would like to do when life as a full time, stay at home mum reduces.  I have been given a very special gift from my Husband of being able to pursue my dream of writing and I really want to take this golden opportunity and turn it into a reality.

 

With the help and enthusiasm of one of my dearest friends we have worked out a new potential work-from-home job role in social media.  I am planning on learning everything I possibly can about it and am in the process of seeing if there are any appropriate courses that can be taken.

 

The same friend and I also attended a fantastic workshop (Starting out as a Freelance Writer) this weekend and now I am full of excited anticipation and ideas for feature articles that I could potentially pitch to a range of platforms.

 

I am also looking into the world of writing competitions, not because I particularly think I am of a standard that would win, but it will be a great way to practise writing to guidelines and deadlines.  It will also get me into the habit of writing with more of a purpose.

 

I bought a company name and web domain so that if (or if I am being super positive when) I start to make a regular income I am prepared with my own company to run with it.  Am currently musing ideas on company logo etc.

 

So overall I am quite satisfied with the chapter that has been January 2013 in our life.  All the usual stresses are there of course, the economical climate is as depressing as ever, it is cold, bugs are rife.  I am not back out running yet after a knee injury.  But apart from all those things 2013 has started really quite well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#CCPW - Real Life : Cathy's Journey

As part of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (20 - 26 January 2013) I am featuring the stories of real women who want to share their experience with Cervical Cancer.

Cathy Glynn thanks her lucky stars that she went for her cervical screening when she did, otherwise her life could have been very different.  Here she shares her story :

I have always attend my smear tests on a regular basis, so when I was called for my three yearly check some years ago, I never thought anything of it.  I can not say they are something I enjoy doing, but they are a necessity and so I made the appointment with no concerns whatsoever.

I had my test and was recalled three weeks later with a CIN3 - severe cells changes (this can sometimes mean a cervical carcinoma in situ) and an urgent appointment was made for me at my local hospital to have a Colposcopy.  By this time I was rather scared and worried about what the future held.  Obviously I did not fully understand what was being explained to me at the time.  I was so upset I could not take the information in properly.

My appointment day came and I attended my Colposcopy.  It was not the most comfortable procedure but they did use a local anaesthetic on my cervix.  After taking a biopsy they decided to remove part of my cervix straight away without waiting for the results.  They used a process called Loop Diathermy and it wasn't too painful (I even had the opportunity to watch them perform it but declined).

All I can remember thinking at the time was 'Am I going to be ok?  Will I be able to have anymore children?"  Lots of questions arose to which I did not really have the opportunity to get answered.

At my follow up appointment I was told that what was left of my cervix looked fine and that I would need to have follow up screenings every six months for the next two years.  They also told me that if I were to get pregnant my cervix may not be strong enough to carry a full term pregnancy. 

At this point in my life I was not planning on anymore children as I was a single mother with three boys to look after, but even so the thought still crossed my mind and I felt sad that this decision may have been taken out of my hands.

Three years later I met my second husband.  I had my next regular smear test and the result was that there was CIN2 changes.  I was again referred to the hospital, only this time I did not go because I unexpectedly found out I was pregnant.  The pregnancy was problematic from the start and my daughter was born a month early, but healthy. 

I was advised to have a full hysterectomy and six months later I underwent general surgery and had everything removed.  I did not want to risk losing my life to cancer.

I can not recommend enough that women attend cervical screenings regularly.  I had no outward symptoms of anything being untoward and without them my future may have been entirely different.

Cathy Glynn writes a blog called Wishful Wonderings (http://wishfulwonderings.blogspot.com) and can be followed on :

Twitter @pagan500

 

For more information on Cervical Cancer :

GRACE Charity

Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust

Cancer Research UK

#CCPW : Cervical Cancer - Facts (via Cancer Research UK)

All of the information that follows (and more) can be found on Cancer Research UK 'CancerStats Key Facts - Cervical cancer Fact Sheet' - this is FREE to download.


How common is cervical cancer in the UK?

- In the UK in 2010, there were around 2900 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed (approx. 8 women daily)

- Cervical cancer is the twelfth most common cancer in women in the UK

- It is the third most common gynaecological cancer in women in the UK (after uterus (womb) and ovary) but the most common in women under the age of 35

- Around 1700 cases diagnosed are in women under the age of 50 (approx 6 in 10 of all new cases)

- Cervical cancer incidence in the UK decreased by nearly half between the late 1980's until the early 2000's, but the last decade has seen an increase of around 15% - mostly in women in their late 20's.

How many people survive cervical cancer?

- Two thirds of women survive their disease for five years or more

- Survival is higher in women diagnosed at a younger age.  Women under 40 years of age have survival rates of almost 90%

What causes cervical cancer?

- Infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) is the main risk factor.  It is a necessary cause of cervical cancer

- Women with HIV/AIDS are at increased risk

- Women with a mother or sister who has had cervical cancer are at increased risk

- Smoking increases the risk

- Long term use of the oral contraceptive pill also increases the risk

Screening and Vaccination

- The Department of Health set up the NHS Cervical Screening Programme in 1988

- Screening can prevent around 45% of cases in women in their 30s.  This rises to 75% in women in their 50s / 60s who attend regular checks

- The HPV vaccination in schools was introduced into the National Immunisation Programme in 2008 for girls aged 12-13.

All information regarding stats can be accessed on Cancer Research UK CancerStats website : http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/cancerstats or by emailing stats.team@cancer.org.uk.

#CCPW - Real Life : Naomi's Journey

As part of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (20 - 26 January 2013) I am featuring the stories of real women who want to share their experience with Cervical Cancer.

 

Naomi Willmott, 39 from Bristol is a trained Support Group Leader for Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust.  She decided she wanted to be part of a charity supporting women with cervical cancer and cell abnormalities after her own personal experience with the disease.  Here she shares her story :

************

In 2004, after a routine smear, I had a result of CIN3 which is the severest of cell abnormalities before they turn into cancer.  I was 30 and had two sons.  The two weeks between the result and the treatment were awful, wondering how severe the abnormalities were, thinking about living with cancer. 

 

Luckily, after a loop cone biopsy I was given the all clear with the cells being successfully removed.  I felt incredibly lucky and was put into the six month screening programme.  Unfortunately my encounter with cervical cancer didn't end there.

 

At my wedding in 2007, my best friend Sarah told me she had been suffering from bleeding and was due to see the doctor.  I told her it was probably nothing to worry about and that I'd look forward to catching up with her after my honeymoon.  Two weeks later I returned and she asked me to visit her straight away.  It was here she told me she had cervical cancer.

 

Sarah had been my best friend since childhood.  Both professional singers we had spent hours singing in our bedrooms.  Hearing this news was devastating, not least because it was around the same time Jade Goody was going through treatment, but I wanted to stay strong for her.

 

She started chemotherapy and radiotherapy and I saw her regularly throughout.  A year after diagnosis I went on holiday again and once more on my return I received a phone call.  It was bad news.  Sarah had been given just three months to live.  I couldn't quite believe it, she still seemed so full of life, despite all the treatment.  She also had two children, a ten year old daughter and a 17 year old son.  It couldn't be happening.

 

In October 2008, it was almost three months to the day when Sarah passed away in St.Peters Hospice.  I saw her the night before.  It was this moment I thought I had to do something to help other women going through this and  raise awareness of a disease that can be prevented.  I promised Sarah that night her legacy would continue.

 

A friend and I organised a charity night in Sarah's memory the following June.  We raised an amazing £8000, part of which was donated to St.Peters Hospice. I wanted to donate the other portion to a charity that dealt with cervical cancer.  It was only when I googled this that Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust appeared. 

 

I had never heard of the charity but after hearing about the support and information that it offered to women affected by both cervical abnormalities and cervical cancer, I was more than happy to donate our proceeds.  The money went towards their annual get together for women affected by cervical cancer called 'Let's Meet'.

 

I wanted to continue to support other women and so in November 2011 I was trained by the charity to be a Support Group Leader.  I now lead a support group in the South West for women affected by cervical cancer.

 

For more information on cervical cancer and cell abnormalities visit the Jo's Trust website.