Welcome to another issue of Better2 Know’s patient stories.
At Better2 we know that sharing personal experiences can contribute to destroying the stigma that many people feel in being tested for Stis. We have collected stories of people who have been tested to inspire and encourage others to take this important step for their sexual health.
Certain names and details in these stories have been changed for privacy.
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“I never thought I was okay to talk about it. At least I accepted. I don’t know.”
When we spoke to Snezana for the first time about a video call, she seemed a bit uncomfortable, hesitant, ready to close her laptop and roll up on the couch with her cell phone. Instead, she takes a break and continues, takes a deep breath and leaves a large Huff out.
“I think you will ask me a lot Questions. Let’s go on with it. “
Your sexual health is important. Make sure you book a test in a clinic near you today.
Snezana is 26 years old and works for an energy company in Internness. During the video call, her curly hair was withdrawn into a tight ponytail that carries a fleece that seems to be more than twenty years old. It dragged aggressively from a large cup of tea in the shape and color of a wooden barrel, and when it turns it off, she carefully put it off so as not to make too much noise.
Snezana’s family moved from Lithuania to Great Britain in 2005 and settled in Scotland. When she was 18, she went to the university in Rouen, France, in an exchange program for studying engineering. She expected to spend the rest of her training there.
“I remember that I thought that summer would be a great time. I will end my degree, maybe I will stay in France, move to Paris. I had no plan, but everything looked very clear in my head.”
But her last year was 2020.
“All of this went out of the window,” she said.
When Covid met, Snezana had to return home and continue her studies online, which was very disappointing for her. She completed her program and had to be sent out in the post.
“My mother really wanted to see me on stage. I think she wanted me to get it more than I do.”
During the second closure, Snezana had problems finding work. The tensions in her house went up due to the isolation and she tried to find an apology to escape.
Fortunately, she again bonded with a friend of the High School in Inverness via Facebook, a young man she called Magnus during the lock. After dozens of WhatsApp messages and a few zoo calls, they decided to break the Covid bladder rules and meet in a local park. From then on, Snezana and Magnus Rendezouse have twice a week for almost a month before Magnus was reported to the police by his brother.
Magnus and Snezana were still in contact, but she caught up with the fault of breaking the rules.
“But I think it was just the situation. Covid. Everyone was worried about getting sick. I saw an advertisement online for testing and I was wondering. I had no reason to think I had something. But I thought why not?”
“I just thought it was too much to think, too much to do. Then we were caught. So, yes, not ideal.”
When we asked if something happened during her meeting, Snezana Cagey was and did not set any details.
“But I think it was just the situation. Covid. Everyone was worried about getting sick. I saw an advertisement online for testing and I was wondering. I had no reason to think I had something. But I thought why not?”
Snezana said that if she was tested, she wanted to go. She bought from a private provider who would test almost a dozen different conditions.
“Better for sure. I wanted to be sure.”
Snezana ordered a home control set over the post, but when it arrived, she had some problems.
“I have the Renaud syndrome. There is not easy to flow into her hands there, especially when you have cold, and I remember that it was very cold when I had the test. I opened the package and brought everything out. I did the urine test, but then I had to collect the blood. Hair dryer, but it just didn’t work.
Fortunately, the lockers in Great Britain in late summer 2021 and when they did it, Snezana felt more comfortable to book a Sti test in a local clinic.
“It was just easier. I went in and they did everything for myself. The nurse took my blood sample and I also got a swab. Pinte in a cup, everything. It was great. I got the results next week.”
The test came back positively for urea infection. Fortunately, she did not have to take medication – just a few changes to the lifestyle.
“My doctor told me that I should eat more yogurt and take a shower more often. It was a little embarrassing. But it worked. It disappeared after a few weeks.”
Although she had no serious infection, Snezana was glad that she was tested.
“I was just glad that I couldn’t get something when I saw Magnus. Or maybe it was. But one thing or something is gone now.”
When asked what she would tell other people who think of being tested, Snezana was relentless:
“There are only so many ways and opportunities to do it because there is not really an apology. For me if they can be tested and they are not just a crazy person.
Don’t leave it chance. Book a test in a sexual health clinic near you.
