15 months post-operation

Yesterday I finally got the results from the pap smear done in the Netherlands in July: all is well!! Contrary to the first test done right after I had arrived from Sri Lanka, this time there was enough cell material to enable proper judgment. None of the cells showed any signs of mutation, alteration or cancer-tendencies. Yippee!! Am very happy and relieved.

looking back

Hearing about a friend with the same problem, I revisited my own weblog today. For me it all seems long ago and far away (and it is, since we now live in Sri Lanka) and since last year I realized that so many women near me have had conizations. Including my own sister, who recovered fine! So why did I have to make such a fuss out of something that is almost routine?
Well, there was the diagnosis that initially said 'cancer' and 'hysterectomy' instead of 'pre-stage' or something like that and 'conization'. Plus the horror of being referred to a cancer hospital. But probably more important was my state of mind at the time. Not being able to fully recover from my burnout was the main reason we had moved to the Netherlands in February in the first place. Then the process of the move itself had been exhausting, throwing me back a couple of months. After less than one month in the Netherlands, I was still very tired and somewhat depressed so the worse case scenarios immediately flooded my mind and further drained my energy.
Luckily I feel much better now, both physically and mentally. But realizing that this was not the case a year ago helps putting everything in perspective.

all is well!!!

Today I checked with the hospital and luckily the results were good!! The pap smear was completely healthy and fine. What a relief.....
Now we can continue the preparations for our move in peace.

uncertainty

No results from the pap smear yet - lab takes 10 days, and then I will only be called if the news is bad. What a stupid arrangement! Guess I will make a call myself on Tuesday 27 if I heard nothing by then. After all, we are planning an emigration so need some certainties...

final check

Today I have an appointment at the cancer hospital for a pap smear, 6 months after the operation. I am nervous, though the results will probably be available after a week only and not immediately. But I dread that hospital - hopefully it will be the last time ever for me to go there...

occupational assessment

Last week I had the second official occupational health assessment by the medical services contracted by my employer. We agreed that I was almost ready to go back to work!! Yes, that is full-time working from November. An official message has gone out to my institute and we can start thinking ahead now.

continuation of intake

Another meeting at the reintegration bureau today. This was partly to discuss the results from the first test in July and together go over the first draft diagnostic report. Hopefully the second and last test can be finalized next week.
This it did not wear me out as much as it did the first time, but then, I was feeling a lot better when I left home. I even cycled the 7 km to the office instead of taking the car. Not bad considering the tiring party we had on Saturday and a few nights of poor sleep...
Am really hopeful that I am back on the track of (slow and erratic but) steady progress towards full recovery!