Help Maria to support gynae cancer research in New Zealand

We need to talk more about our bushes. And I'm not referring to gardening either...

Let's be more upfront about our girly bits - with our doctors, with our friends, with ourselves. Because if it ain't feeling right down there, then it probably isn't.

𝗟𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵

I'm Maria, 29 years old and I have endometrial (uterine) cancer, stage 3. For a cancer that mostly occurs in women post menopause, this has come as a shock. Especially as there's no history of endometrial cancer in my family.

Yes, I know what you're thinking... "What the ****?"

It's been a big talking point, and it bloody should be. I want more of us to be talking about our bits. Serious pain, heavy bleeding or no bleeding? Don't let it slide and think, "That's just how my body does its thing."

Talk to a doctor and push hard to get something done about it. Please.

𝗠𝘆 𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

My diagnosis came in November 2020 after a minor surgery to remove what I thought was a harmless polyp - as that's what a radiologist thought she saw, back in 2018.

In December, I underwent major surgery for a total hysterectomy and to remove the lymph nodes where the cancer had spread to. Then 26 days later, including a second trip to theatre to assess complications with my bowel, I made it out of hospital to recover.

I start treatment in March, and will be receiving radiotherapy and chemotherapy at Christchurch Hospital.

𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿

A lot has happened and 𝙞𝙨 happening - much of which I can't control. So I want to take back some power and chop off my hair before the chemo has its way (Date: 3 March).

My hair will be donated to Freedom Wigs in Dunedin, and it will be used as part of a wig for someone else who needs it.

If you know me well, you'd know how long I've spent growing it. It's become a major part of my identity and I've been blessed to have such curly, thick hair.

𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵

As well as the chop, I want to raise much needed funds and awareness for the Graci Foundation. Heard of it? You likely haven't... And that's exactly why I'm making some noise for them!

The Graci Foundation is the fundraising name of the Gynaecological Cancer Research Trust, and is run by a small group of professionals with an interest in gynae oncology - including my very own oncologist (legend!)

Their goal is to improve outcomes for women suffering from a gynae cancer by supporting New Zealand based research into this area. All of the Board and support staff are volunteers, so you know that your donation is going straight to where it needs to - the research.

If donating isn't your thing, no sweat. However, if my story gets you talking with your mates about your bits and pieces, then I've done my job.

P. S. Ladies, go get your smear test.