Thinking outside the bra

Throughout the summer, there have been numerous awareness and fundraising events to hopefully, one day, beat cancer.

I applaud this and find it incredibly inspiring, but I also feel frustrated as it almost feels as though the fundraising and raising awareness starts and stops at breast cancer or testicular cancer. Before I carry on with this post, I would like to say that I never want to take away from the pain and devastation that any cancer can cause.

However, I think it's time that the stigma surrounding a woman's reproductive organs was abolished. Target Ovarian Cancer states that because of the lack of knowledge surrounding the health of ovaries, the cervix and uterus, those are the cancers we need to focus on. The 'silent killers' are just as devastating but the victims almost appear voiceless.

I was drawn to Target Ovarian Cancer when I was diagnosed with PCOS, as one of the risks long-term is developing Ovarian cancer. A terrifying thought at the age of 22, but still, it really opened my eyes to the fact that I knew nothing about it. I had no idea what the symptoms might be, how to be checked, how to get diagnosed and what sort of support platforms there are around the country (and the world).

Ovarian cancer is the second largest killer in women.

I used to think I was quite lucky, having little contact with cancer or it's damage, but in the space of twelve months I have unfortunately faced it head on. My nan recently passed away from cervical cancer, and I feel so angry at the fact that I knew nothing about it. Could it be different if there was more education about the symptoms and how to get checked? Smear tests are good on the tin, but where is the emphasis on the importance of attending the initial appointments to ensure that there are no cancerous cells lurking about.

Ultimately, I just wish there was more understanding and people would remove the stigma surrounding the female body. Cancer is not just limited to the bra area, and the more we talk about the body, I feel that more women will be more open to asking questions and ensuring they know the facts outside the SMEAR test.

I have been thinking a lot about what I want to do to contribute to beating cancer. I could sign up for Race for Life, or I could bake for a coffee morning to talk about the symptoms, the risks, the devastation it could lead.

Welcome to Graduate Life - you did it!

It has been a very long time since I updated this blog, and so I thought I would write an entry about where I am now.


My last post focused on being diagnosed with PCOS, and I will admit that for a time I struggled accepting that diagnosis. I don't think anyone can really prepare you for something like that, and I still don't think I have fully come to terms with it, but everything will work out the way it is supposed to.


The most exciting development in my life is that I am finally a BA (Hons) History graduate, having successfully completed my degree in June this year. After writing 10,000 words on the impact of art and literature on the culture of remembrance, I left the University of Derby with these valuable lessons:

1. I love history, and I believe the experiences I shared with my classmates were some of the best (and worst), and I will always cherish the last three years.
2. As cliché as it may sound, the biggest lesson I had was the one with myself. My confidence is at an all new high, and I am able to really stand on my own two feet. Like I said, cliché but very true.
3. Job searching is currently the bain of my life.

Countless interviews and rejection emails are the inspiration behind this post. The most popular feedback 'you do not have the experience we are looking for' has resulted in me exploring new opportunities and really thinking about what it is I want from a career.




Is it money? Happiness? Progression or working with a specific group of people?


I do believe that job searching is one of the most soul-destroying things anyone can go through because it almost feels like there are so many reasons for why people should not give you the chance as opposed to facing my reality and understanding that... I have relentlessly worked so hard just to be here.


Anyway, I do not want to turn this blog into a heated rant about the unjust conditions of graduate life. My only advice to those who are still studying or who have just embarked on their studies as an undergraduate... never restrict yourself and never turn down opportunities.


Big or small, those are the things that will enable you to create your own luck and your own success. Go for it!


Since January, I have been researching tons and tons of gluten-free and low carb recipes, cooking them, hating them, improving them and writing down my thoughts on each and every one of them. I am doing this because I really want to produce my own gluten-free cookbook.

There are a number of these around, but not on a student budget which I found the hardest task in my final year of studies. My food has less ingredients, so why do supermarkets charge me so much more?!

SO!

I am going to be using this blog to research and talk over my ideas. It not only gives me something to do as I search for my lifelong career, but I always thought... I wish I had someone to sit me down and hand me a load of gluten-free recipes. Instead, I had to look for my own and place a sizeable order of books on my Christmas list, and so I have felt inspired to not only research for myself, but the many other students out there who are trying their best to make things happen.