I spent a relaxing weekend at home with my M.O.M (see earlier posts for pun revelation) discussing what to do next and where to go. In the process I managed to add another page full of things to my already extensive to do list! So I know this seasonal holiday and the whole of 2012 is going to packed to the rafters with exciting new endeavours and unknown occurrences which manifest themselves as they see fit.
This weekend I also received several wonderful messages from women who have visited the site and read the information and felt inspired by it. Which leads me to the purpose of this ramble. The WombRoom is specifically aimed at young women aged 16 to 29 as this age group, although wide, is one for which fertility and gynaecological treatment, information and knowledge is limited but it will take mature women who have lived, laughed and cried these experience to motivate the masses and so as your self professed leader I have compiled a Guerilla warfare survival and strategy list.

1.WORK YOUR WEAPONS> KNOWLEDGE-
Damage level- 10
Accessibility- 5
Energy level- 8
Speed- 4
I believe that this is the first step in the self proclaimed Fertility Revolution! Like guerilla warfare we must first arm ourselves with the correct weapons, we cannot win without them and knowledge is the most powerful of all. With it we ensure that our doctors decisions are not misguided and our choices are well informed. We can stop any nay sayer in their tracks and we put ourselves on the front line offence is the best defence!

2.GET SUITED & BOOTED IN ARMOUR> RESILIENCE-
Damage level- 9
Accessibility- 10
Energy- 7
Speed- 4-9
Next we must equip ourselves with the necessary safety gear in case of counter attack and so we need resilience, for all the “no I don’t think its worth doing further tests” and “we’ll discuss it at your next appointment which never comes”, we have to bite the metaphorical bullet, get back on our feet and soldier on (all puns intended) for which a resilient nature is key. We have to be able to take a few knocks and a swing a few no’s around in retaliation. So get used to saying “NO that is NOT acceptable” ” NO I would prefer another course of action” and “NO I will no longer be requiring your medical services as I wish to be referred to a specialist”. (Hear that its the sound of bruised GP ego’s everywhere crying in self pity)

3. SEEK OUT THE WEAK > CUNNING
Damage level- 10
Accessibility- 7
Energy- 5
Speed- 5
Right now you’re probably thinking… Cunning? However does that make this list?! What outrage that anyone suggest I use deviance to obtain my end goal!! Well…The chinese military philosopher general Sun Tzu advised his military officials to avoid the enemies strengths and instead attack their weakness. So here cunning and deviance come into play. Sometimes in order to get what we want from our medical proffessionals we have to be a little foxy. So find your inner beast…Go on… Grrr!

4. AIM FOR THE HEART (or the ovary) > EMOTION
Damage level- 9 (depending on the blackness of the opponents heartstrings)
Accessibility-3-6
Energy-7
Speed-9
Working tearducts? Good acting skills? If you answered yes, please proceed. If you answered no go give those crocodile tears and M.O.T and those pain faces a practice in the mirror! Sometimes, no most of the time you’ll go to an appointment or a & e and because you’re not writhing around on the floor in pain or being carried in on a stretcher by two muscly men covered in mud and blood and telling you it’ll be ok they’ll help you get through this because we never leave a man behind, you’re not taken seriously. Sometimes its necessary to target the enemies emotions and not their intellect. It’s easier to make them react than it is to make them think and pushing on the old emotional button is the quickest way to mobilize your army and your enemy. So its time to start bringing the roof down with some screams, popping a few eardrums, and starting your own aquarium with that river of tears. Less thought… More action!

5. ACTIVATE YOUR ALLIES (a.k.a getting a bad guy) > FRIENDS
Damage level-9
Accessibility-7
Energy-4
Speed-4
Not feeling too strong? Not yet loaded up with 22. Calibre steely determination? No worries… Time to call in reinforcements. Sometimes we can march into an appointment fully equipped for battle but the moment we’re sitting in that chair facing the enemy we seem to turn to jelly saying “yes sir” “no sir” “3 bags full”. Well this is a war! And you are soldiers! So reach inside and find a pair (of ovaries) and if you haven’t got two then borrow some! Take a friend or family member along who will ask questions in case you freeze on the front line. Not only will they provide you with the moral support you need but also the energy and bravery to ask all of those niggling questions you have concerning your health… I know there’s a list as long as your arm!

6.WIN THE WAR OF WORDS > DEFINITION
Damage level-8
Accessibility-6
Energy-7
Speed-5-8
Feeling fired up? Good! It is important to define the issues you are facing before the issues define you. Following diagnosis or pre- appointment define the issues and where YOU want to go next before your opponents (the doctor and the condition) define it for you. Its the age old debate “Freedom fighter” Vs. ” Fundamental terrorist” one is defined by the individual the other is defined by “the state”. DEFINE DON’T BE DEFINED!

7.BE VIGILANT > AWARENESS
Damage level-10
Accessibility-8
Energy-7
Speed-5
Che Guevara said guerilla warfare meant eternal vigilance and as I said before… This is war. It’s imperative that you remain vigilant and keep a record of the symptoms you have, their frequency and any changes in you lifestyle or diet which may make them better or worse. You can use this information to strengthen your case for better medical care and treatment and to improve your chances of early diagnosis if you are still unsure what the problem may be.

8.HIT THEM WITH HUMOUR > LAUGHTER
Damage level- 9
Accessibility- 5
Energy- 7
Speed- 5
Sometime laughter really is the best medicine. The first time I went to my hospital appointment following my scan I laughed. A lot. When she told me it could be cancer… I laughed. When she said it would require surgery… I laughed and when she said I’d need more tests… I laughed some more… seems a bit inappropriate doesn’t it? Cancer isn’t funny I hear your gasp in unamusement… Well no it isn’t all that haha! But if you don’t laugh you’ll cry and sometimes you laugh then cry or cry and then laugh but whichever way you do it laugh then laugh some more… Tell a few jokes… Ease the tension and bring through some relief. Because just as hard as it may be for you to hear the news it’s hard for the doctor to have to tell you particularly when it’s bad. I actively encourage humour it helps us get through… There’s no room for wallowing in warfare… High spirits and high hopes that’s what we like around here soldier!!!

9. AROUSING & ORGANISING > FORCE
Damage level-10
Accessibility-10
Energy-10
Speed-5
One of the chief tactics of Guerilla warfare is to educate the masses of down trodden people, thus arousing their interest and organising their mobilisation. By educating those around you and repeatedly whispering (or shouting) The WombRoom in their ear you could help save another woman’s fertility or life. Tell your mother, daughter, aunt sister, brother, uncle, grandad (yes men too!) One day they will have daughter or grandaughter and it’s important that they are aware and prepared for the active responsibility of reproductive health. War is like a dance…Think it takes two too tango… Try making a baby…

10. DON’T UNDERESTIMATE DETERMINATION > STRENGTH
Damage level-10
Accessibility-8
Energy-8
Speed-2
Never underestimate the importance of determination! It can make or break you. Guerilla War isn’t about short term victory its about long term gain and that takes endurance and determination. You have to prepared for the fight and anything it throws your way. When you march into battle it’s for the long run so keep those spirits high!