[Nikko]

I got a call from my DR. and my pap smear came back bad, abnormal cells, high risk. Which makes no sense because I have had a complete hysterectomy in parts. I am a DES baby to begin with, had part of my cervix out years ago due to cancer, then the uterus/rest of cervix years later also cancerous cells, then 2 years later my overies.

So, now I have to go to a GYN/ONCOLOGIST on Nov. 7th. They have this special pap, where when they do it, instead of putting the smear on the glass, they put it in this liquid, send it to the lab, separate the cells from this liquid and it shows much more - like cancer.

So, I am going to the Cancer Clinic here, which is supposed to be real good, it is associated with one of the top hospitals. I spend 1 hour with the Dr. then the exam and test, so I will know much more on Nov. 7th. They want to get me in quickly because of my age and because I smoke.

I think I am NUMB. I really don't think I can take much more. Looking at cancer is just blowing my mind. Mostly because there is no place for the cancer to be like the cervix or something.
Okay, that's my bad luck hanging over my head once again.

Hugs, Nikko

[mymorgy]

I really don't know what to say except we love you and I bet it is going to be all right.
Bobby sending huge hugs

[Pamster]

Oh no Nikko! You really don't need this right now. I am so sorry that you had an abnormal pap, it's really raining and pouring for you in life right now. I feel just awful for you sweetie, I echo what Bobby said, we love you and we're here for you.

[Nikko]

I have to call my p-doc - my depression is slowly slipping in, along with high anxiety.

Guess that is what I'll do. I shed enough tears last night, out of shock.

I have a feeling they might start up again at the drop of a hat.

This all just plain sucks.

Nikko

[moose53]

((((((Nikko)))))),

I hope this turns out to be not true.

I just read yesterday or today on the internet news that they're going to be getting rid of pap smears because there's more accurate technology available now.

I just don't want anything else to hurt you or to worry you

Stay strong and try not to worry until you find out what's really going on

BIG HUGS (and love).

Barb

[bizi]

Dear Nikko,
Oh.....
jsut what you need another worry.
It sounds like you will be in good hand.
I am so sorry that you are going to have to deal with all of this.
I wish it weren't so.
WE are here for you
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

[Dmom3005]

Nikko

Sending you some hugs. Wishing I could do more.

Donna

[Nikko]

I also found out another test they do, they look up there with a mini-microscope, there's a name for it, but I forgot it. I don't know if they do a biopsy at that point or not.

That is in addition to the new pap cells put in the liquid.

I have just have to come to terms with whatever will be, will be, and there isn't a damn thing I can do about it.
Except pray......................................Nikko:gr ouphug:

[~scrabble]

This is what I heard on our Canadian news yesterday about a new test for cervical cancer. It might be worth asking your doctor about it. Good luck.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071018...dahealthcancer

DNA test betters Pap in detecting cervical cancer: study

Thu Oct 18, 9:39 AM ET



The human papillomavirus (HPV) screening test for cervical cancer is far more accurate than the traditional Pap test, according to a Canadian study published Wednesday in the United States.

The first round of the Canadian Cervical Cancer Screening Trial, led by Eduardo Franco, Director of the Division of Cancer Epidemiology at McGill's Faculty of Medicine, put the HPV test's accuracy in detecting pre-cancerous lesions at 94.6 percent, compared to 55.4 for the Pap test.

The study is published in the October 18 edition of The New England Journal of Medicine.

The trial, funded by a grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, followed 10,154 women aged 30-69 in Montreal, Quebec and St. John's, Newfoundland from 2002-2005.

"We already knew before conducting this study that the sensitivity of Pap left a lot to be desired," said Franco.

The Papanicolaou (or Pap) test was invented by Georgios Papanicolaou in the 1940s and requires technicians to look under a microscope for abnormalities in cell samples collected from the patient's cervix. It has been the standard screening procedure for cervical cancer for almost 50 years.

The HPV test also requires the collection of cervical samples, but the analysis process is automated and detects the DNA of high-risk HPV strains known to cause cervical cancer.

"Women currently vaccinated against cervical cancer will still need to be screened, because the vaccines that are available now only prevent about 70% of all cervical cancers, and they're primarily for young women," said Franco.

"The HPV test may be ideal for vaccinated women once they reach screening age, because it gives us an opportunity to monitor the protection that the vaccine is supposed to give them," he added.

Cervical cancer kills more than one quarter of a million women worldwide each year.

[Mari]

Dear Nikko,
'Sending you prayers.
I hope that further tests reveal that you are in the clear.
Mari