the mother of all questions - by lulu - the good life

i’m staring up at the fluorescent panel lights in the ceiling, legs splayed open, one foot nestled in each of the furry lilac stirrups extending from the sides of the exam table. the gynecologist widens her speculum. it makes a ratcheting sound i probably would have found satisfying if it wasn’t being applied to the opening of my vagina. the next part reminds me of stuffing a turkey, where the turkey is my cervix and the stuffing is cotton balls soaked in a vinegar solution to light up the abnormal cells detected in my pap smear. the internet has warned me this step can cause a mild burning sensation but it’s mostly just cold.

i’m staring up at the fluorescent panel lights in the ceiling, legs splayed open, one foot nestled in each of the furry lilac stirrups extending from the sides of the exam table. the gynecologist widens her speculum. it makes a ratcheting sound i probably would have found satisfying if it wasn’t being applied to the opening of my vagina. the next part reminds me of stuffing a turkey, where the turkey is my cervix and the stuffing is cotton balls soaked in a vinegar solution to light up the abnormal cells detected in my pap smear. the internet has warned me this step can cause a mild burning se