An update about my health

I am not so well right now, and soon I am going to hospital to have surgery.

On the day I arrived back in Australia after my travels to South Africa and France, I went straight to hospital with severe stomach pain and swelling. Tests showed that I have a large ovarian cyst, also known as an ovarian mass. 

I am having surgery to both remove the cyst for symptom control, and also to determine what it is – whether it’s malignant or benign. The surgeons will also remove most or all of my reproductive organs – depending on if there is cancer. 

I’m rejoicing that I can say goodbye to my periods though! Just recently I was wishing for my periods to end – knowing I have that power, I am wishing for world peace. 

It has been a shock and a lot of information and options to process, even though I’ve been experiencing symptoms for the last five or six months. Unfortunately many of them are bowel symptoms which I had no idea were linked to ovarian cysts until I went into hospital. I’ve lost weight. I’ve felt full quickly and have lost my appetite – which has been the hardest to manage as a foodie. Before I went to hospital a few weeks ago, I was going to the toilet many times a day, but that’s stopped since one of the medical tests. Currently I have swelling and pain, and I’m quite tired. My skin was very sore for a couple of weeks after hospital, but is feeling much better now.

So this means right now I am working as much as I can, doing medical admin, and I have a long recovery period ahead of me. I ask that all work requests are directed to my agent, Danielle Binks (danielle at jacintadinmase.com.au). When I’m up to doing speaking events, I prefer they are online for the next little while. If you have a question about disability access or representation or my work, check out my books or my blog or scroll back through my socials – or google it. I can’t share your stuff or reply to every message. I ask that you respect these boundaries. 

Please no wellness suggestions – crystals, yoga, herbs, diet etc. I am in great hands with the medical professionals at The Women’s, who are consulting with my dermatology team at the Royal Melbourne; as well as the support from my friends and family. I feel very grateful to be given such good care. Please also no intrusive questions.

I’m just focusing on my health – and that means trying to become good at watching trashy TV, playing with fashion, gentle cooking and doing Lego. You may see me pop up online occasionally, but I expect it will be posts reminiscing about my overseas trip, and also outfit posts. I will try to rest as much possible.

Thanks for your support and love during this difficult time. 

If my work throughout the years has helped you, if you use it in your work, I have a PayPal and a Patreon. Thank you.

Image: Carly, a woman with a red face, short dark curly hair, smiling, standing near a concrete wall. She’s wearing a green jacket over a pink floral dress, and pink boots.

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