Thread by @kimmykims33

Not my most flattering photo but an important one!

This is me September 3rd 2012 after spending over 5 hours in surgery and 4 hours in recovery after a radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer. I was only 26 years old. 26…

Imagine yourself going through something like that at that age, imagine your child going through it? And it doesnt stop once the surgery is done - it only begins. I know first hand unfortunately. The Kim you see in that photo has absolutely no idea whats going to happen next..

Life saving blood transfusions, intense recovery, infections,setback after setback after setback.. and that was only the first few months. What has followed is honestly depressing to even write ..

and I dont think I can even fully convey to you the absolute shitshow I have gone through since that cancer diagnosis. Multiple surgeries and procedures, enough daily medications that just about keep me going, weekly bladder injections, constant pain, menopause..

I could go on. And for me, it will go on. There is no end for me. Just the knowledge that more of this lies ahead ,including more radical surgery that will leave me without a bladder. I am 35 years old. Let that sink in…

Its #GynaecologicalCancerAwarenessMonth , so let this be a reminder to you that cancer doesnt pick and choose. It can happen to anyone, at any age. But there are ways to help you and your children to not have to walk this path I am on…

Please vaccinate them with the HPV vaccine - it is safe and it is effective. I cannot stress how bloody important it is to vaccinate. Oh god how I wish I could of had that vaccine in my teens. I never had that choice, but you do…

Please look after your health - go to your cervical screenings, report abnormal symptoms to your GP, get checked out

#HPVvaccine #cervicalcancer #getyoursmeartest

@HSELive @CCAI_ireland @HSEImm @IrishCancerSoc

A sincere thank you to everyone who liked, shared, sent messages etc I am a little overwhelmed by the reaction! And I will get back to everyone. Again, thank you so much for the kindness shown ❤️