Undetermined...news...
So last week I had my annual pap smear done. They say they'd call within 2 weeks whether things were all gravy or not, new procedure.
Just two days later...I get a call. I return the call.
My pap smear results were abnormal...low grade. (They rank their "concern" by low, medium, or high)
The chipper bitch on the phone, probably just a medical assistant, tells me they ruled out STD's so it's either pre-cancerous cells OR nothing at all and a false negative.
WTF????
So...b/c I have this new job, I can't take a ton of time off work straight away. So while on the phone with her, I schedule my next procedure for 3 weeks away. I knew by then I'd have my health insurance benefits too.
The procedure? They will open you up like a pap smear, but they will put vinegar on the vaginal walls and it creates this "neon glow". It will light up MORE NOTICEABLY on "bad" areas or an "area for concern". The doctor will look and exam with a microscopic tool. If they feel the need, they do a biopsy. :S
I was a tiny bit worried initially, getting the news, but I feel like my anxiety has tripled SINCE I got off the phone with that lady. I walk around feelin' kind of speechless.
My aunt Edie had uterine cancer when she was very close to my age! And she already warned me that if they had a to do a biopsy....for me to be prepared. She knows how tough I am! BUT she swore it was and still is the worst pain she's ever been through and she had her kid 100% naturally. OMG! :(
So...Lloyd knows and he asked if he could go with me to comfort me. Then I said no b/c I didn't want him to "see me like that" incase it WAS painful to me.
But now I want him there. He is so comforting, so cozy, so reassuring. It's just nonstop bonding between us, lol! Kidding! Truly with every passing week, our relationship seems to be better! So....so far, the plan is Lloyd go with me. It's scheduled for the 2nd wk of Dec.
xoxo,
Elizabeth
Just two days later...I get a call. I return the call.
My pap smear results were abnormal...low grade. (They rank their "concern" by low, medium, or high)
The chipper bitch on the phone, probably just a medical assistant, tells me they ruled out STD's so it's either pre-cancerous cells OR nothing at all and a false negative.
WTF????
So...b/c I have this new job, I can't take a ton of time off work straight away. So while on the phone with her, I schedule my next procedure for 3 weeks away. I knew by then I'd have my health insurance benefits too.
The procedure? They will open you up like a pap smear, but they will put vinegar on the vaginal walls and it creates this "neon glow". It will light up MORE NOTICEABLY on "bad" areas or an "area for concern". The doctor will look and exam with a microscopic tool. If they feel the need, they do a biopsy. :S
I was a tiny bit worried initially, getting the news, but I feel like my anxiety has tripled SINCE I got off the phone with that lady. I walk around feelin' kind of speechless.
My aunt Edie had uterine cancer when she was very close to my age! And she already warned me that if they had a to do a biopsy....for me to be prepared. She knows how tough I am! BUT she swore it was and still is the worst pain she's ever been through and she had her kid 100% naturally. OMG! :(
So...Lloyd knows and he asked if he could go with me to comfort me. Then I said no b/c I didn't want him to "see me like that" incase it WAS painful to me.
But now I want him there. He is so comforting, so cozy, so reassuring. It's just nonstop bonding between us, lol! Kidding! Truly with every passing week, our relationship seems to be better! So....so far, the plan is Lloyd go with me. It's scheduled for the 2nd wk of Dec.
xoxo,
Elizabeth
Wow...that's just crazy they way she talked to you over the phone. I would have been pissed!
ReplyDeleteI am sending good vibes your way and will keep you in my prayers.
I had a biopsy. Hubby was there to hold my hand. It WAS PAINFUL! But, it's over relatively quickly and there's the peace of mind when it's over and the results are okay. I'm hoping your results are super-okay.....don't stress. Takes lots of Vitamin c and your B-complex (cause stress take its toll). God bless...
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry... and to wait 3 weeks to get answers. I will be thinking of you and praying you are alright. But either way, It's good to know sooner rather than later. *Maria*
ReplyDeleteI'll start saying prayers....take care of you and keep us posted.
ReplyDeletei hope everything is ok! although sometimes an abnormal result happens if you have had sex within a day (sometimes even 2) of having the pap smear!
ReplyDeleteOh sweetie, I'm so sorry you're having to deal with this worry. You'll be in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThank u so much, ladies! The prayers are greatly appreciated!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I have had an abnormal pap before from having too much sex but they were somehow able to tell the difference, I guess in the reading. Further testing was not required that time and all was well. I am super dedicated to sexual health so this is all NEW news, nothing old that has been overlooked, for sure. That's why it's so worrisome. But if it is anything....it's def caught early. I have been very upset about it and tried to think of it very little, but that has ended up being impossible so far. When I think about possibly needing the biopsy and the pain of that, I get sick to my stomach. I am one tough cookie, but so is my Aunt, and she told me it was "AWFUL", so she has me super concerned.
Oh I have been there darlin'! For about 3 years my paps came back abnormal...high risk pre-cancerous cells to stage one cervical "c" word...so there have been plenty of biopsies, LEEPs (Where they take an electric loop and literally cut off part of your cervix), and cryo-surgeries (where they freeze your cervix).
ReplyDeleteWith today's technology and such, if it is *anything* they can get it!(fairly easily too!) Take a tylenol or two about an hour before you go...while if they do have to do a biopsy of your cervix, it will kinda hurt...more of a cramp feeling...it is tolerable...
The GOOD part of me telling you this is that for the past 4 years I have had NORMAL paps...once a year...instead of the once every 3 months...it is soon enough that whatever it may be, if anything, they can get it...
Of course you are gonna worry though, that's normal...but it sounds like your Dr.'s office is on top of things and doesnt make you wait forever!!
xoxox,
Nikki
I worked at a doctor's office for a while and you wouldn't believe how many pap smears we got that were abnormal. I hope that everything comes back normal, I'll be thinking of you!!
ReplyDelete:(
ReplyDeleteThe abnormal Pap thing sucks! I've had a couple of those over the years, but no biopsy. I hear they can be rough, or not so bad, so I guess it just depends on the person. I've had the other procedure done and it was weird but not bad.
Keep us posted!!!
Thanks everyone! And Nikki: Thanks so much for the idea of taking tylenol before going in. I will probably take a few Ibuprofen since tylenol doesn't work too well for me! That is a GREAT idea and will ease my worry of pain!
ReplyDeleteHow scary! Hope everything is OK!
ReplyDeleteI had abnormal paps for several years... required biopsies and LEEP procedures. While it's not comfortable at all, I wouldn't consider it REALLY painful. It's like bad cramping.
ReplyDeleteIt's normal to be worried, but *if* it's anything, they will have caught it right away.
Hang in there!