D.C. asks from Milan, MI on October 09, 2006
Abnormal Pap
I recently had a baby August 6th, and had my six week check up Sept. 13th. My OB called last week and told me that they found pre cancerous cells, and are going to have to do a biopsy. I also know that I have HPV, so I am really worried. Any advice that anybody could give would be great! Thanks -D.
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So What Happened?™
Well, I had my appointment on the 6th, and they had to do 3 biopsies. I talked to them yesterday, and they said that I have some low grade changes, but nothing to be concerned about right now. I have to go back in 6 months, for another pap, and then 6 months after that. I'm glad that everything turned out to be okay, and I want to say thank you to all of you who sent a response,a nd for all the prayers!!! Thank You!!!!!
More Answers
L.W. answers from Detroit on October 09, 2006
I would first tell you to take a deep breath and don't jump to conclusions. This happens to many and I even had a abnormal pap before my sister did to. It turned out fine. My sister thought at one time she had cervical cancer and it all worked out fine. I have been scared before about Breast biopsies and different tests. It is even worse when you have to wait and you just keep thinking about what if. But worrying yourself sick isn't good for you either. Do your research and if you are not comfortable with what they say get a second opinion. Believe me I have done that more then once. It turned out for the best when I did. I have spent several years of my life being misdiagnosed and the stress only made me worse. It wasn't till I found a dr. that would listen till I found answers. So if you feel funny about what they say follow your gut.
I will keep you in my prayers that it all will work out.
Stay focused on your family and it will all work out.
All of you ladies that are going through this prayers will help get you through this. It is what keeps me going. Prayers are said for you as well.
(((((((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))
L.
1 mom found this helpful
S.H. answers from Toledo on October 10, 2006
First let me say that you are lucky to have this typ of support group to go through something like this with. I had an abnormal PAP and HPV also about 3 years ago. I had my husband with me through the whole thing but it's just not the same as having a woman there with you.
You shouldn't be to scared, I know, easier said then done! :) It sounds much scarier then it really is, basically for the biopsy they will go in and take a sample of the cells and also look to see where they all are placed, relatively painless. Well, no worse then going through the PAP in the first place. Then once they get results and all the doctor stuff you will have the removal procedure, which for me was a LEEP. I think that is the common one. They give you a mild sedative and relax you from the waist down, and go in with a long stick and for the most part cautorize out the bad cells. You will be able to get up and walk out right after, you may be a little loopy from the sedative. The worst you will feel after the procedure is a little mild bleeding. It will be nothing compared to the regular monthly deal, nothing any woman can't handle. You shouldn't be to worried about getting pregnant after this either, I have a very healthy 1 year old little girl now. We are all here for you and keep your head up, you WILL make it through this!
1 mom found this helpful
S.C. answers from Kalamazoo on October 10, 2006
In the last year I was told the same thing. my doctor gave me meds for the HPV and he encourages me to have pap smears every 3-6 months to monitor the progress. One thing he said most women have the virus (HPV), sometimes it comes out in the pap smears and other times women do not know they have it. Just make sure you follow the directions of your OB. Best wishes
D.B. answers from Detroit on October 19, 2006
Hi my name is D. too. I have been dealing with the same problem except i have already had my children. If they have already did the biopsy you will have to have a leep procedure. Thats after the colposcopy. I am also a medical assistant. Not a doctor but i have been dealing with for almost a year now. Once they doo the leep there is a 95% recovery and you wont ever have a problem again. Then there is 5% like me it gets worse. Stay on top of your paps for early detection later on and you should have no problems.
J.W. answers from Grand Rapids on October 10, 2006
Hi D.,
I can completely understand your concern. I've had frequent abnormal paps even before I gave birth to my daughter four years ago. I was scared to death when I heard it and found out my abnormal cells were due to me contracting HPV. Did your doctor tell you what stage they are in? They may not find out until after your biopsy. It was about 5-6 years since my doctor first found abnormal cells. After my biopsy I was told they were stage 2, which is good. That means they are pretty much dormant and I would need a 6 month pap to make sure the stage didn't progress. I had normal paps until last December. I had to have a biopsy then as well. Luckily they were still in stage 2 like they were about 5 years previous. Yes, I still get scared, but if you keep up with your monthly paps and have biopsies done when necessary, you should be in good hands. Even if the cells progress, the doctors can do wonderous things nowadays and even if they do progress into a cancerous stage, the doctors should be able to get it all before it worsens. Feel free to send me a message if you have more questions -- I don't want to get too wordy :) If you don't mind, please let me know how your biopsy goes. I just wish someone was around to talk to when I had mine done since it felt like the scariest thing in the world to me at that time. Best wishes -- J.
H.H. answers from Toledo on October 13, 2006
D.,
I had the same thing happen to me, but it went on for years because my pap's would only come back irregular every so often. My doctor finally did a biopsy (which after birthing 4 children was slightly uncomfortable, but not painful). He told me that I had HPV, which initially freaked me out, but explained that I shoudn't have any problems with it.
I think that when we hear the word cancer we automatically assume the worst. This is not the case. I am sure you will be fine. Don't spend too much time worrying about it as that will just stress you out more than you probably already are.
Good luck,
H.
B.W. answers from Toledo on October 10, 2006
I had HPV also and my doctor did a biopsy. Which had a high level of pre cancerous cells they ended up doing a leep surgery well 7 years later I went back in and the HPV came back So instead of going through the process again at 44 years old I had a hysterectomy. Hpv can be cured by surgery but it does come back.
K.C. answers from Saginaw on October 16, 2006
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