I've eluded to my "female issues" a few times in the past two months so I figured I might as well get it all out there! Just a warning, this may be too much for some audiences :)
May 12th-Headed to the OBGYN for my annual check up
1 week later-Informed of "abnormal" results...a conversation which included words such as 2% chance of cervical cancer, various procedures I had never heard of before which did NOT sound pleasant, and the urgency of the situation. Way to not alarm a girl Doc.
30 seconds later (and continuing for 2 weeks straight)-Frantically looking up everything on the Internet about cervical cancer and convincing myself that not only did I have it, I would not be able to have my own babies.
June 3rd (my birthday)-First Dr.'s Appointment at the Cleveland Clinic. Not a great birthday. As a girl who had a fear of never having her own babies, I was stuck in an OBGYN's office where 1/2 of her patients were pregnant, A Baby's Story was playing on the TV in the waiting room, and my actual exam room had an ultrasound machine in it. Frankly, I was a mess.
After completion of the first procedure, a colposcopy, which is basically a big word for taking a look, it appeared I had very little to worry about. Doc saw a spot of abnormal cells but they were only on the surface and localized so she assured me they could be removed easily if need be. She took two biopsies of different areas, which actually didn't hurt at all (total opposite of what I had read online...thank you), and I was on my way.
June 10th-Results are in! One of the biopsies came back abnormal with the same results as my Pap. Darn. Not free and clear yet! Scheduled another appointment...
June 24th-Went in to have a LEEP performed. This time they had to numb my "area" (which DID hurt!) and proceed to remove the abnormal cells from my cervix. They used some crazy loud vacuum that removed the abnormality by BURNING off my skin. Yeah. I know. But surprisingly, no pain. Again...unlike what I had read online. My advice: do not type into Google "does a leep hurt?" It will not leave you feeling optimistic about your upcoming appointment.
So I was off, walking around with a big open wound in my cervix...not so great. But Matt accompanied me to this appointment (thank goodness) and we got ice cream afterward...so that helped :) I mean when doesn't ice cream help??
July 15th-Results are in again! This time...great news! They were able to remove the entire area of cells AND it was not cancerous! Did you hear that ladies?? I don't have cancer! And I'm all healed! Best.Day.Ever.
Except the fact that this was "take your favorite medical student to work" day. You got it. I was stuck having my final appointment with a MALE medical student, clearly young, clearly male, clearly studying my parts. Not cool Doc. At least give me a heads up?? I mean, not that I would've denied this guy the right to see my, uh, assets, but I chose a female doctor for a reason, you know??
Anywho, she also let me know that none of these procedures should negatively effect our chances of conceiving so score! I am just SO glad it is over and I don't have to go back for another year! AND, there is an 85% chance that I will never get these results again. I am SO hoping for that :)
So thanks for sticking with me during this trying time and offering up your concern and prayers. They meant so much to me and I cannot thank you enough!
HUGS!
And by the way...it's Friday!! Love it!
Life Lately: Week 46
3 days ago
26 comments:
Oh my goodness I am so glad everything is okay. I would have flipped!!!
And yeah, self-diagnosis via the internet is terrifying. Yet I continue to do it anyways...
Wow, sounds like you were dealing with a lot! I am glad everything came back okay in the end... I will remember not to google things like that in the future for sure. Happy Friday!
So glad to hear that everything is ok!!! It much be such a relief!
oh my gosh - i just got a mini heart attack reading that!! Im glad youre ok, xxxxooo
Hey...I too had a abnormal pap last summer and I had to have a colcoscopy as well....not fun---not so much the procedure but a little of the "recovery" is not pleasent to put it nicely. Well, anyways, I didn't have to have a LEEP or anything, but I did want to let you know that I haven't had an abnormal pap since =).
Glad yours went well and everything looks good =)
I had an abnormal pap over a year ago and had to go in for a colposcopy as well. I was terrified and had read awful things on the internet. It wasn't bad and luckily my adventure stopped there as everything came back normal..
Glad you're doing ok and that everything turned out well!
So glad you are ok! And boo to your dr for not giving you a heads up about the boy - you are so much nicer than I would have been (as in, probably would have thrown a hissy fit and demanded the boy wait outside... :)
Hey Jenny! I am back...long story but i had to change my URL again and delete my old blog, but I am back and I am so happy to hear all is well with you :) I have had an interesting couple of weeks to say the least but I am so happy to be back in blog land! follow my new blog!
Oh dear! What a crazy process! So glad everything is okay!!
I can so relate to you, I have had this procedure done twice, cervical cancer runs in my family (not good). Big hugs, I am glad that you are well :)
Wow... and YAY!! That is wonderful and so scary to go through!..no go have babies! ;p
I'm so glad everything's okay!
I would have been upset too about the male med. student! I'm surprised your doctor didn't have to give you a warning or ask for your permission or something.
I'm glad everything turned out okay! That must have been irritating with the male med student!
i am glad everything is okay ...my sister had a similar experience and i know it must have been scary.
The EXACT SAME thing happened to me! The LEEP is not the best...but I've had normal paps for a few years not. Totally worth it! Glad to hear you got through it!
oh how i feel your pain!
i had to have the same thing done...twice! :(
I don't want to be the bear of bad news but when I went in for a follow up, I was cleared and then I went in again 6 months later and they found more abnormal cells, I had to have the procedures done again! I'm clear now and keeping my fingers crossed I never have to have it done again!! ouchie!
I am a new follower and wanted to stop by and say hi :) I live in Ohio as well! Love your blog!
Sooo glad everything is okay.
And the male med student...ugh...that's the worst. I swear, you find the hottest guys in those oh so awkward situations.
Been there, done that, even the internet diagnosis. I'm all clear too. Phew!!!
Glad you're ok and SO sorry about "bring your favorite med student to work" day. That would have totally thrown me for a loop, too!! :)
Praise God! Sooo happy to hear your free and clear and able to have little ones!
Now, if we could only get our female OBs to be a little more sensitive and not stick us with unsuspecting males...
Jen - I am so glad to hear that everything is okay. I had been wondering about all the talk of going for more and more appointments. Praise God that all is free and clear!
OH my GOSH! I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that! I made an appointment to get my birth control refilled just yesterday and found out that I do not infact have to have a PAP to get it refilled, so I was like, YAY! I hate those things...But now I'm questioning myself and thinking that I should go yet again for the fourth year in a row...Argh...I mean, things can go wrong down there...So glad your alright girl and that you two are free and clear to make babies!!! :p
Happy everything is okay! I know how scary that can be!
So glad all is OK!! And yeah...self-diagnosing on the internet is never good! Too many horror stories out there! I had to make myself quit after a while.
I'm glad things turned out okay! I, too, got the abnormal cells phone call and had to go in for a colposcopy. Luckily, I didn't have to have the Leep, but I freaked myself out by reading things online about how painful it was, the procedures following the colposcopy if something was still abnormal. It's a nice sigh of relief when they clear you!!
Hey hon - sorry I'm reading this so far after the fact. I had no idea this was going on, and I'm SO RELIEVED that it's over, at least for now! I know what it's like to have some frantic concern about fertility and it is NOT FUN. And - NEVER self-diagnose on Google. I have done it a multitude of times, and it has NEVER ended well! xoxo!!!
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