Eleven Years Ago Today

I've always been a stickler for getting my yearly exams. You would think I would eat better and exercise more, considering how fanatical I am about taking care of your health. Believe it or not, outside of the salty chips and ridiculous amounts of condiments I like to taste, I do try to make good decisions. But not always.

Which is why it is hard for me to make a phone call today. I have to call my gynecologist and cancel my yearly exam. I don't have insurance, through no fault of my own. My job made some hard cuts, and I was made part-time - which means, no benefits. Sure, it will be a delay in having the exam, but for me delays are sort of scary.

You see, eleven years ago today, I had a hysterectomy. It was a surgery that in essence saved my life. We caught those cancerous cells early - through early detection. Granted, my body was not responding to the various smaller surgeries leading up to the big one, and even after that, about two years later it tried to metastasize in a different form (which led to a topical chemo treatment,) it was that yearly exam and early detection that made all of the difference.

Literally - eleven years today. My ability to ever give birth and my ability to not hit menopause a little early was taken away. I'm okay with the decision, but I find it such a coincidence that my reminder came in the mail for my appointment next week, and I can't go. 

Oh September. You just keep em coming.