TGIVF!
Quite honestly, this is one Vinegar Friday I'm not particularly looking forward to. Why? Because at 10:00, I'll be getting comfy (or not so comfy) on the table for my gynecological exam. Yuck.
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| I wonder if this doctor is using a vinegar swab?! |
"Besides," he said, "it's just possible, that it could dislodge during delivery and we won't have to do anything with it at all."
And that's exactly what happened. And other than having to go for paps ever 3 months for 2 years, it was as if the cancer never existed. I was lucky.
So, like I said, I approach these check ups with some trepidation.
How does this all tie in with vinegar? Well... have you heard about how vinegar is saving women's lives in Africa and other impoverished areas? As it turns out, these women do not need pap smears to determine if they have cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions growing on their cervixes. They simply need vinegar. Seriously. Doctors have discovered that with a simple swabbing of vinegar, they can determine if the patient has abnormal cells that need to be frozen off.
Rather than my trying to explain all of this to you, I'm going to provide you with a couple of links so you can see for yourself just one more reason for me to tout the virtues of vinegar week after week. And, of course, based on what I've read, this might be the best reason of all!
Botswana Doctors Stop Cervical Cancer with a Vinegar Swab
Using Vinegar to Thwart Cervical Cancer in the Developing World
Vinegar May Easily Detect Cervical Cancer
Of course, after reading these articles, I can't help wondering why this cost-effective method isn't being employed here in the U.S. But before the words escape my lips, the answer weighs heavily on my mind... $$$. After all, how would the pharmaceutical companies make any money on a simple vinegar test? I'll scratch that thought as I lay down on my back and slip my feet into the stirrups...
Keeping it green with vinegar,
Hana
I just went for a pap and have to go back for additional testing because of abnormal cells, the Dr. said they will be using vinegar! I live in TX btw, maybe it is becoming more common in the us?
ReplyDeleteSeriously?! That's awesome!! About the vinegar, of course. Not about the abnormal cells. Hopefully, the test was misread. I'll be praying for you, Brenda. Please let me know how everything turns out.
DeleteHana
Oh my gosh, that's so scarey! Good for you for having the guts to fire your doctor. Thanks for sharing those links.
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome, Tricia. Just might fire the one I saw today, too, after coming home with scripts for a bunch of different tests, including a biopsy, just to be safe. Yeah right. I'm pretty sure, when there's no reason for one, that I'll just skip having someone take out some endometrial tissue to appease her!
DeleteI've had an endometrial biopsy before (again, the abnormal cell thing), a few years ago. It was really no big deal... and we're well insured (thank God), so I had it done (didn't realize there were other options). It was good to have confirmation that everything was fine, though, either way. I'm due for an OB/GYN appointment and will ask my doctor about this. She seems progressive enough to be, well, regressive. LOL
DeleteI would have it done if I thought there was a reason for it. But the results of the pap aren't even back yet. She just jumped to a conclusion after learning that I, at 55, had a period last month. Umm... it's known as a period. Not cancer. There was nothing abnormal about it, other than my age. What can I say? I'm forever young.
DeleteI'm so sorry you had to go through that. Great that you switched doctors! How interesting about the vinegar tests. I agree, it's all about the money.
ReplyDeleteNo big deal... and it was a lifetime ago. But thanks.
DeleteMy story is almost identical to yours. I had Moderate Displasia of the Cervix in 1976. I was 31 years old. The Dr. was going to perform a Cone removal of my cervix. When I went to pick up the hospitalization papers I told him I thought I might be pregnant. Bingo, I was. He said it could wait until I had the baby. When my daughter was born I told him to let me breastfeed her at least six months. He said OK. Then I had to have paps every three months, then six months and it was gone. He also attributed it to the pregnancy having erased the Displasia. My daughter will turn 36 in December.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story. I'm so glad it turned out well for you, too.
DeleteBy the way, I have no idea where you came up with that artwork, but it's hilarious. I keep picturing you Googling "antique gynecology" or something. LOL
ReplyDeleteIt's great, isn't it?! :D I think it was on Wikipedia!
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