Magazine Article

[Guest guest]

Hi Debbie

The magazine you speak of asked ONLY for under 44 years of age. I was 42

when I had my clitoris vulva and lymph glands removed.

After seeing 2 gps and 2 gyns and being told it was common for women to have

lumps in the vulva. After 18 months of searching for answers I asked for the

lump to be removed.

The first gyn said that it was not cancer and if it bothered me whilst

having sex I could go back to the gp and have it removed as he did not have

the equipment in his office. My lump was just next to the clitoris. I found

this to be most barbaric and uncaring by the gyn.

I suppose the magazine want women who are 44 and under at the moment. Is

this right Debbie.

I am now 49. Am I too old. (ha ha)

Kathleen Mazzella

GAIN

Gynaecological Awareness Information Network

Message: 3

Date: Fri, 29 Dec 2000 12:30:10 -0500 (EST)

Subject: IMPORTANT - MAGAZINE ARTICLE

Sorry to anyone who receives this twice, I am posting it to everyone I

know who it's relevant to Feel free to pass on to others-

Yet ANOTHER chance to get vulvar problems in the spotlight in a major

womens magazine. This writer is looking for women UNDER 44 ONLY (because

of the target audience of the magazine) to talk about " Brave Acts of

Health " - see an excerpt I took from her request below - it includes

doctors telling us " it's all in your head " (sound familiar anyone?) or

worse. I remember hearing awful stories from some of you that your MDs

told you to " use it or lose it " or to " stop masturbating and it will get

better " or worse - this is your chance to tell your story. Please read

her entire request here and e-mail her at MMEYER@... if you are

willing to share your story!!! Debby

---------------

Brave Acts of Health -- Anecdotes from Women

Summary: Have you ever stood up to your doctor? I am looking for women

from age 23-44 ONLY to interview whove made brave acts of health courage

instances where they may have been fed up, outraged with their doctors

poor, condescending, patronizing or rushed care and took quick action.

Perhaps you fired them, wrote the board of medical examiners, picketed,

wrote the paper, went to the head of the hospital or HMO, demanded and got

what you needed. This is NOT a story on medical care. It's about women

standing up for themselves. The major national women's magazine will

celebrate women's empowerment. It is a full length story to be filled with

various anecdotes. Some examples just to give you an idea of what Im

looking for are: -- Your doctor insulted you, perhaps telling you that

pain was all in your head, or you had sore knees because " face it, you're

getting old and fat. Accept it. " You let him and his superiors at the

hospital and HMO know how condescending and poor that was. -- Doc calls

you by your first name? You find that an authority trip and insist your

doctor call you by your last name or hell be called by his first one,

too. -- Your HMO or doctors office isnt going the distance. What lengths

did you go to so you could get the needed test, perhaps a more expensive

diagnostic test when a certain cancer runs in your family? -- Your doctor

made you wait too long and you let him know in words or actions what you

thought of that. -- A doctor was too friendly and you took it all the way

till his job was threatened. -- Firing your doctor after he refused to

give you birth control pills because he didnt believe in premarital sex,

or some other case when his personal views were more important to him than

his oath to provide decent care. Please spread the word to other women. Im

looking to hear from WOMEN and only ages 23-44 along these lines. I need

to know what irked you and what action you took. I will need to include

the woman's full name, occupation, age and city of residence. THANKS

Michele M, Freelance Health Writer.

MMEYER@...