[Gazelle]

So I get a call today from my gyn's office for a reschedule of my pap, 6 months after the recheck pap which was 3 months after the stupid cryosurgery, and my annual exam. Nurse tells me "Oh, yeah, by the way we have your pap results (um, when was I there?? It's been a while and I'd have to look at my calendar but I think it was in early August or late May.). It's showing some atypical changes but we'll see you in February."

Great. That's just super. So it was atypical and they didn't call me? Doc said, "If you don't hear from us, it's normal." I ASSUMED he didn't mean by that "if we don't call you that's typical so don't panic" and meant, "If your test results are normal we won't call you to tell you." But maybe it was a language thing. After all, it was English to an English speaker.

So NOW what do you think they're going to suggest? Just do the recheck after this last atypical or d'ya think he'll suggest another cryo or something else? Just curious. I hate suspense.

[Koala77]

My gosh! I'd be angry too, and in fact I was angry when I got treated with that exact response after one of my own PAP smears many years ago. (I've since had a hysterectomy for other reasons, not cancer).

My mother died from cancer of the cervix and she's only been gone a few weeks when I was told that although my PAP smear showed atypical cells...... I wasn't to worry about it, but to come back in 12 months for the next one.

I explained that my Mom had just died from cancer and that I'd feel better if I had my PAP repeated, and asked if they'd do another one just to reassure me.

The gyno refused, so I found a different gyno that very day........had my PAP repeated and although it came back totally clear, I never did go back to that other gyno.

How dare they play God with our bodies?

[dmplaura]

Awww Gaz woman problems as such SUCK!

I'm going for my LEEP procedure Nov. 5th. You know, I'm not even phased by this anymore. They found abnormal cells in me and 'a lot of cell changes'. Well, that freaked me initially hearing it, but now after having spoken with my gyno, he set my mind at ease that this isn't 'uncommon' at all and that the LEEP will take care of what the LEEP can, and I'll be monitored going forward.

So I'm in a rather cruddy position myself (and I'm not even on the table yet!) but I'm not going to sweat it either. I figure if it was a matter of life or death, they'd have me in there ASAP getting this taken care of.

[tovaxin_lab_rat]

You're just an atypical kind of person ... if it was something to worry about I think they would have called you...seriously. Atypical can mean lots of things. But, if you are concerned...call them back and ask. Since you are going through all these procedures, it could be from that. Been there done that...

[Gazelle]

Ha ha ha..... Atypical. Yeah, I sure am atypical. Some would say more than others.

Koala, it does **** me off a bit because of the first abnormal that I had and the doc TOLD me they'd call if it was abnormal. I'm not stressing it, but it just is irritating that they can't see their way to give you a call when you have not normal results.

The nurse did say that there aren't any signs of HPV, which is nice. How the heck I avoided that is beyond me.

So maybe LEEP or something like that could be the next thing, huh?

[Twinkletoes]

Awwww, sorry Gazzy. I wonder if the people who work at doctor's offices have any idea how much stress they can cause or alleviate, just by placing a simple phone call. Or not.

My daughter was only about 20 years old when I got a phone call at the hospital where I worked at the time. I knew the lady -- she was married to the doc -- and she said in her happy-go-lucky voice, "Oh, we've been trying to reach your daughter for a follow-up appt. for her [abnormal] PAP smear."

WHAT? The PAP smear had been 1 YEAR previous and they had never called.

Then, to cover her backside, she lied to me about trying to reach her (DD worked out of state as a door-to-door salesman at the time -- it was totally impossible to reach her unless she called you. Pre-cell phone era.)

That was same office (different doc) had seen my DH for a broken arm, but when he came for a follow-up, they'd never heard of him.

Try not to stress, Gazzy. Do like Cheryl suggested and give them a call. Keep us posted, k? Praying for you.

[dmplaura]

Originally Posted by Gazelle

The nurse did say that there aren't any signs of HPV, which is nice. How the heck I avoided that is beyond me.

Seriously. You're in the 25% of the sexually active population that did avoid it.

I had a colposcopy before they said "Ok now time for a LEEP procedure", so not sure hun.

I was told that I'd have a weakened uterus following the LEEP. I am still undecided on children honestly.

[SallyC]

(((((((((((((((Gazzy)))))))))))))) Arghhhhhh!!!

[Mickeycbee]

To be honest, I have no faith whatsoever in paps. My mom was faithful about going and getting her results. If the doc didn't call, then she would call them, to be on the safe side. I had my 3 children in my early 20's and never had a pap done, or went to the ob/gyn after my third child. In 2003 I started bleeding like all of the time, went to the doctor and he said it was time for the hysterectomy, since I had already had my children. Oh, the dnc didn't work, so Im prepped, had the surgery done, got out into post op and they found out I had cervical cancer. I think I almost fell out of the bed, but I had a tumor the size of a canteloupe, which the ultrasound did not pick up ( I found that priceless ). And while Im in the hospital recovering, my mom who was so diligent about her health told me she was having the similar symptoms. So by the time I got out of the hospital, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer, and NOT ONE PAP came back abnormal. I nursed my mom for two years and lost her in 2005. I think if there is anything out there, aside from a pap, which really does not even get to the cervix, which could be a more comprehensive test, I would go for that. And hell, lets remember its your body, your health, if they don't call you, call them and be certain.

[Taffy]

(((((CG)))) (((((CG)))))