For the girls... Or, why I hate going to the doctor.

This post may make guys queasy, so guys, consider yourself warned....

 

A while back I was told that I was one of those lucky females who has a dreaded "abnormal pap". Most guys really don't know what this is about, as they know that girls have to go to the doctor yearly but dare not ask about the inner (*snicker*) workings of speculums and stirrups.

 

Now, for the record, that yearly checkup is never fun, but it's generally not something that is to be worried about. Short of a bit of discomfort it's usually a quick procedure that ends with "If there is any problems, we'll give you a call. If you don't hear from us, come back next year."

 

Unless you're me. See, about 14 months ago it was "Hey, something was a bit strange with this test. Come back in 6 months." Then I forgot. Oops. Then, about 8 months after that I was like "oh ya! I was supposed to go back. I should do that."  So I went back and they said "okay, last time was probably nothing, so if you don't hear from us, you don't have to worry."

 

And then they called me. They said "This is normal, so we'll send you to a guy who specializes in these things...." and sent me to a different doctor after explaining to me with binocular motions how he would look inside me with a magnifying glass. The whole thing was called a colposcopy, which is a word I can write but not say. I looked it up online and they outlined the whole thing. I'll save everyone the details and put a link HERE for anyone that is interested.

 

I went to see him. The first time I went I was prepare for them to just like, do their test, and if there was a problem fix it right away. This is what the internet led me to believe. Apparently this isn't how medical services provided by the gov't operate.

 

The first time I went he basically just said "This is usually nothing. We'll check it out and see whats up.If I don't see anything you can be on your way." However, of course that wasn't the case. Instead, doctor man (who's name I have since forgotten) found what he didn't think he would and then decided to take a sample to determine exactly what was up. The whole thing only took a short while, but left me wondering "Now what!?"

 

I went back around a week later and was told I had "high risk dysplasia of the cervix" which is a fancy way of saying you have cells that could potentially turn into cervical cancer.

 

Where the hell was Gardasil when I was a kid?!!

 

After giving me the low down doctor man told me that I would have to go to a DIFFERENT doctor for a LEEP. Again, I looked this up online and it sounds FUN. Oh what fun. Amoungst other things, I'm not allowed to have BATHS! I love baths.

 

Which bring me to recently. I was told my appointment with the new doctor would be today. Silly me, I assumed they would do everything today. Yeah. Right. I tried to call the office a week or so ago and was told no one would be in the office until the 25th. If you were in labour or had a gynecological emergency you were to call some other number. *rolls eyes* I finally go a hold of the people yesterday and asked them "hey, do I need to do anything to prepare for this?" and they are like "nope, just bring yourself in... " Which should have been my first clue.

 

So I went on thinking that all this would be over and done with today. .. my mom took the day off work to go with me. I told work that I might not be able to come in for the evening shift. I scheduled my tattoo appointment with the idea that "Hey, if I can't have baths anyway, I might as well make it worth my while and get a tattoo at the same time".

 

I found the office and went in... and the waiting room was full of women. Old, young, you name it. The ladies manning (Ladying?) the reception desk were like, 80. Not even kidding. I think the one finished nursing school in 1935 and was still wearing the same starched nurses cap. I gave her my healt car and all that and she says to me "We have a problem. The doctor isn't here today." WHAT THE FUCK!???

 

Let me refresh your memory that this started 14 months ago. I've been at the doctor's 5 times since like, Nov. I've sat bare-assed on a paper sheet more times than I need remember.

 

She asked me if Thurs would work, but thats the day of my tattoo appointment, so nope, that wouldn't be any good. So next tues it is. Again I asked, is there anything I need to do? and she's like "Nope, he's just gonna talk to you, he's not going to be doing anything this time".

 

For eff's sakes. I'm so annoyed. You'd think that my health would be of more interest to these people. But I can't really do much about it. I have to go in for another consultation, have them tell me all about the things they are going to do to me the NEXT time I come in.

 

So as it stands, I have no idea when I'll finally get to experience the joy that is a "LEEP" and all it's fantastic side effects. Only thing I AM happy about is that I can continue going about having my baths and all the other fun things I'm forbidden to do...

 

And to any boys that made it all the way though, good for you.

 

 

 

 

--
alanna foell : professional photographer : www.afphotography.cjb.net

Fun Times Had By All

I'm back at work after a weekend away... and it was so refreshing (mind you, I do feel extra exhausted now)

 

Like all of my trips to eastern ontario, it was a whirlwind of activity, starting thursday night and ending last night when I finally made it home.

 

I borrowed my brother's GPS which gave Dave and I much amusement for the long drive... those things are smarter than people, I'm convinced. We named it Jacques, for Jacques Cartier, explorer of Canada and/or Jacques Cousteau, sea explorer. Nevermind the fact that the GPS talks with a female voice... I guess she can be Jacqueline if we're being politically correct.

 

- Thurs -

Left work at 5, despite wanting to be out the door at 4:45. Instead of getting gas like I should (was on E since the day before) I drove all the way to the Kitchener bus terminal to pick up Dave. After he jumped in the car we stopped for gas ($70 to fill my tank. I thought I was going to cry) and then were officially on the way. We stopped at the first rest stop and ate the sandwiches my mom had made the night before and got some beverages (McDonald's iced coffee is weird.) On the road again. Didn't hit too much traffic going through Toronto, and stopped again for coffee on the far side of Toronto. Made it to Ottawa by 11pm, which wasn't too bad at all. Went to bed not long after getting there...and we had a busy day planned on Friday.

 

- Friday -
Got up around 8am and played with Wylie for a bit before he went to preschool. After Meg got back from dropping him off we went to Cora's for breakfast (mmm. I had an omelette. It was great) and then we went to Canadian Tire, which was one of the stops I had planned to make on the way up on Friday. My brake light kept coming on. After that we went to Shoppers Drug Mart to get me a toothbrush, cuz super smart me didnt' bring one along. Then to the LCBO to get Meg's gift from my mom and dad. Thought we'd have time to do some shoe shopping, but that wasn't the case. Met little Meghan at the hospital where she works and then went downtown Ottawa for some Starbucks. Sat in the park, drank our drinks and chatted for a bit. Met SC at Henry's afterwards and we went for food at this cute little Mexican restaurant owned by the guy who owned the last Mexi place we'd frequent. Had some fajitas, which were quite tasty... mind you, I think most fajitas are. After that it was off to the Experimental Farm to meet Meg and Wylie. The plan was to check out the cute little animals and take some pictures. It was more like "follow around the cute little toddler and snap pictures like he's famous".  After all that we went back to Meg's place to order some pizza for dinner. We played with Wylie, and watched Monsters Inc. Wylie wanted Toy Story or Cars, but after March break when he was at my house, I didn't think I could watch much more of either. Went to bed relatively early again. Hanging out with little kids makes me tired.

 

- Sat -

Got up early again and got ourselves ready to head out to Montreal. Ate some breakfast, and were out the door around 10. Went to Shoppers again (forgot to get Meg's card!) and then to Aunt B and Uncle P's. We all met there and then got on the road. Drove to Hudson QC and stopped at a little rest stop to get some food and change drivers and stuff. Not long after we were back on the road the traffic came to an almost stand-still. We moved all of 2.5 km in an hour. When we finally made it to the spot that was causing problems, we found out that the police had closed off a lane and appeared to be re-creating an accident. After that though, it was smooth sailing to the hotel. We had to for-go the BioDome due to lack of time, which was sad... I really wanted to go to the BioDome... but it was nice to finally be out of the car. The hotel was really nice, and in a good location. We were about 2 blocks from Old Montreal, and one block from Ste Catherine street, shopping street!!!! We all conveened in one room and had some drinks before heading out and looking around old Montreal. I took a million pictures. I'll post them up as soon as I have fast internet again. We ate some dinner and then did some more walking around. Ended up walking down the sketchy end of St. Catherine past all the sex shops and stuff before heading back to the hotel and relaxing with some more beers and going to bed.

 

- Sun -

Met in Aunt B/Uncle P's room for champagne and orange juice in honour of Meg's champagne birthday (27 on the 27th). Went downstairs after to take part in the free breakfast offered and then out the door again. We back down to old montreal and went to the Science Centre and wandered around for a while. Walked past a movie set, though brilliant me didnt' realize! Chris said he caught a glimpse of Mira Sorvino... Hmm. Wylie thoroughly enjoyed the centre, running around and checking out all the hands on stuff. After we left there we went up to the trendy shop side of St. Catherine st and then went for lunch at Nickels. It was about 4pm by the time all that was done, so Dave and I headed back to the hotel and headed home. It was 11 by the time we got home and man I was tired.

 

Like I said, I'll have pictures up later this week. I just need to pack my computer with me and do it when I have access to fast internet.

 

I need a nap!
--
alanna foell : professional photographer : www.afphotography.cjb.net

Freedom!

It's been a while since I've been anywhere exciting. Last place I went was Ottawa in Jan, and while a trip to Ottawa is always great, it doesn't really register high on the excitement scale.

 

This weekend however, I am escaping the boring life which is living in the 'Loo and going to Montreal for my cousin's birthday. It's been about 3 years since I was last in Montreal, and the last time was on route home from our road trip to Quebec. This trip isn't a long one, only going to be there on Sat/Sunday, but it's enough to get me excited.

 

The plan is to get in the car after working til 5, pick up Dave at the bus station (no driving to London first this time. That was silly last time) and going to my cousin's place in Ottawa. We'll be in Ottawa tomorrow (friday) and Sat morning we'll head to Montreal. I believe we're stopping at the BioDome in Montreal (I love zoos) and then not really sure. Probably a night out on the town. Sunday I'm not sure what time we'll be heading home, but I would like to try to be back by 9pm if possible, which should have us leaving around 3pm. If I can swing it, I wanna do a bit of shopping. Though I don't really wanna be that girl who drags her bf all around shopping.

 

This weekend will mark a few things - 4 years since Dave and I first started dating and consequently 6 months since we got back together after our year and a half apart. Also, I'll actually eat some kinda dessert, as I think a birthday/anniversary deserves something sweet and forbidden. After my first dessert fast from Jan until my birthday, I decided to do a second one with the exception birthdays. I've done pretty well. I find it's so much easier to not eat things I shouldn't when they are completely off limits as opposed to just trying to say no...I'm an all or nothing kinda girl.

 

Pictures to follow!!

A

 

--
alanna foell : professional photographer : www.afphotography.cjb.net

The Trips Are Booked, I'm Ready To Go....

I feel very accomplished today... I booked my flights to Greece for me and Dave. Whooo!!

I enjoy my job for reasons like this... I can get good deals on things like flights and tours...

July is going to be an extremely busy yet exciting month for me... hear me out:

July 4- Leave for London

July 5- Hang out in London with Sonya and her bf, get a whirlwind tour and see as much as possible in 24 hours.

July 6 - back on a plane to Athens, Greece.

July 7-11 - Contiki Cruise around the greek islands, stopping in Turkey
July 12 - fly back to Ontario...

July 13 - rest.

July 14-22 work (potentially)

July 23 - Fly to Dublin with my cousin Meg

July 24 - arrive Dublin, meet up with cousin Camille

July 25 - Join Paddywagon tour for south of Ireland

July 28 - back to Dublin. Find Janet (friend from australia)

July 29 - rent car, drive to belfast/northern area.

July 30- back to dublin. See Dublin. Drink beer.

Aug 1st - Fly back to Toronto.

Aug 2nd - Family party. Recover from jet lag.

I can't wait. It's been so long since I've been across the ocean. Mind you, I've flown just as far across my own country, but it's just not the same. I can't wait for the adventure. The thrill of a new place... the many many pictures that need to be taken.

Best part is? I only use 1 week vacation for the whole thing. man, I love my job. haha.

- Redecorating and Reorganizing -

I've recently undergone a surge of "lets get things organized!"

 

I decided that I needed a new dresser for my closet and that my closet overall needed to be redone. I measured everything and then scoured over ikea's website designing and planning for a new closet organizer system. It's hard, with my closet, as it's got a sloped ceiling and it is about 7 feet wide but only 110cm tall at it's lowest point. Pre-designed closet organizers have never worked due to it's silly dimensions.

 

I went to ikea, bought all that I needed to and then took it home and built it. The dresser was easy. The organizer part, not so much. The whole thing consisted of a table top, with a wire rack and a shelf below and a long shelf above the table top.

 

It all went down hill when I realized I didn't have a level and both the floor and the ceiling are crooked. Also the wall is old plaster and board (the joys of a 123 year old house) and thus it's hard to square anything up.

My shelf is a bit slanted. The rest, thank god, I managed to get straight. I dont' even really care about the shelf because it's my closet. And to fix it would be just WAY too much work.

 

My dresser is now also very organized. I bought these little insert things and now I have everything sorted into things like Undies I wear, Undies I don't wear, bras, bra accessories (there is such a thing), socks, socks that are still brand new, nylons, tank tops etc.

 

And if that wasn't enough, on Sunday I decided it was about time my mom and I finished the hallway repapering we'd started more than a year ago. I got Dave to help me peel all the old stuff off on Sunday and yesterday my mom and I put all the new stuff back up. It feels so much better to have everything done. My dad laughed at me, saying "so you've redone your closet and you've redone the hallway.... does that mean you're staying for a while?"

--
alanna foell : professional photographer : www.afphotography.cjb.net

- Missing Out -

 

This year will be a big change for me in other ways too. This will be the first year I have voluntarily not gone to the Elmira Maple Syrup Festival. I'm taking a break this year, though not completely by my own accord.

 

Every year my family has gathered in Elmira for the festival and taken over my grandma's house.

 

We don't have my grandma's house any more :(

 

After she passed away last January my mom undertook the job of cleaning out her house and in June we no longer had access. The house was a meeting point for my mom's family, and without it I can't imagine going to the MSF and having quite the same kind of fun.

 

Maybe next year I'll go again. But this year I'm taking a break.

--
alanna foell : professional photographer : www.afphotography.cjb.net

- Big Changes Ahead -

I've been slacking with the posting, regardless of my vow to myself to write all the time. I haven't. Oops. However, things have happened lately... But I'm going to post them as separate things so that it's not just one really long post....

 

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Dave got back his acceptence to UWO and will be starting the Gen Arts program in the fall, but doing a course through the summer. I'm super proud of him.. however this means big changes for me. Way back I decided that if he got into UWO I'd move to London because I didn't enjoy the idea of having to spend another 4 years driving back and forth to London every weekend.

 

My original plan was to transfer jobs next Jan and sublet a place until the summer or fall, whichever, and then if Dave and I wanted to get a place together we could, or I could look for somewhere more permanent, or whatever. The subletting idea was a good way to get my feet wet in London and decide what I was going to do.

 

I started talking to some of the girls who work at -work- (still not using names) and I was informed that to transfer would require there being an opening. Obviously.

 

So I made mention to a girl I know who works at one of the London offices and told her that if she heard of anything opening up in the late fall/early winter to let me know. She told me that there would be an opening in Sept. That was way sooner than I had expected and thus sent me into a bit of a tailspin. I didn't want to have to contend with all the other people looking for housing at the beginning of the school year and get stuck with someone I didn't know or like and have to sign a lease.

 

But I think I have worked that situation out to the best of my ability for the time being. A friend of Daves has a place and will possibly looking for a roomie, and another is considering buying a house. Either would be a great option. I would much prefer to live with someone I knew, and someone who wouldn't mind if Dave was around etc.

 

And really, Sept is a while off.. well, about 5 months, so a lot could change in that time frame. But I have nothing else to really think about so thats on the list.

--
alanna foell : professional photographer : www.afphotography.cjb.net