Lightening Online

16 comments:

1. river, 14. May 2008, 16:06
   

   Many moons ago (19 years to be exact) I suddenly and for no reason made an appointment for a pap smear. I hadn’t had one since before my last child was born. I had absolutely NO symptoms so wasn’t worried about the outcome. Three days later came the phone call. My doctor wanted to see me immediately. Long story short, biopsy, followed by cone biopsy, followed by hysterectomy. I was one stage away from cervical cancer caused by that human papilloma virus. After the surgery I was told if I’d waited one more year before having the pap smear it would have been too late. Too late for surgery and too late to save me. The dysplaysia was soooo widespread, only my appendix and ovaries were “clean”. Lucky, lucky me. I still have to have “vault” smears, at first every three months, then six, then yearly until 5 years had passed, now it’s every two years and I NEVER miss. I use my even numbered birthdays as a reminder.

    
2. socko, 14. May 2008, 16:24
   

   I was only in my mid Twenties & I too went for a smear a little after 3 years from the previous one.
   I thought it would be just “routine” as previous years until I got the phone call to say it was indeed abnormal.
   The biopsy, follow ups & tests seem to go on forever & trying to arrange work commitments (Family Day Care from home) around those appointments in a coastal town was the hardest part! Not mentioning the emotional roller coaster it eventually takes you on.
   Years later i am still having annual smears to keep on top of things, however I consider myself very lucky.
   This was my second cancer I managed to “get” just in time. The initial was melonoma in my right arm & the same story applied. Early Twenties, made the appointment eventually, got phone call, had biopsy & surgery, follow up tests for years afterwards etc. Once this seemed beaten, I got the abnormal smear!

   If people out there think that simply making the time to just have your appointment is annoying (which I TOTALLY understand) in the busy & hectic lifestyles we have, the actual ongoing tasks ahead are even harder. So apart from your own health factor, make that appointment regularly. That 1 appointment can save you making dozens, save you time, save you money & save your life

    
3. Bettina, 14. May 2008, 18:03
   

   I put mine off for much longer than you did and when I finally went I was in trouble. A CIN3, biopsies, diathermy, being told I was now in a ‘cancer treatment programme’, more smears, a second bad smear.

   Do NOT put this off ppl. You are playing with your lives!

   And Lightening if you put it off again, I shall personally come down there and slap you silly

   mwah!

    
4. Suze, 14. May 2008, 18:22
   

   Oh dear I’m way overdue for one. I had one a few months after my 16 y/o son was born (I’ve had them since then, just not recently - I’m not THAT bad!!) and it came back abnormal.
   So I had to then go to a gyno, who said it was just the very beginning and the odds were that if there were 10 of me in 10 years 5 of us would develop cancer. Then he proceeded to burn the affected cells. I have never seen smoke coming out of THAT area before. He didn’t warn me he was going to do it, it was totally horrible, and i drove all the way home to my hubby and 4 mth old baby in tears.
   You’d think I would have learnt.
   Going to make an appointment tomorrow. Thanks Lightening

    
5. lightening, 14. May 2008, 18:54
   

   River - oh my. How scary for you. I’m glad it worked out okay.

   Socko - my goodness! Mid-twenties sounds so young!

   Bettina - thanks, I think. The surgery nurse was giving me a hard time (in jest) until I told her the reason I hadn’t been earlier was because of a nervous breakdown. She seemed to think that was a reasonable excuse.

   Suze - Good for you!!!! Look forward to hearing you let us know you’ve made that appointment (and kept it!).

    
6. alice, 14. May 2008, 18:59
   

   I make an appointment on my birthday every year. Not the best way to spend your birthday, but then I never forget to go. And I can go off and have coffee afterwards knowing I wonlt have to go again for a year.

    
7. Lynette, 14. May 2008, 20:38
   

   thanks for the prompt Jodi. I have been avoiding getting around to mine - leaving it to RON- “lateR-ON” ! But better get my act together!

   Thought you may have shared the joke I shared with you recently about pap smears! If you dont then maybe I will!

   Lynette

    
8. Gemisht, 14. May 2008, 22:15
   

   Like Lynette, mine is always due around my birthday. And yes I am a couple of months overdue. I don;t think that its going to slip under the radar though as my husband and both kids keep giving me a hard time. Its not from lack of trying that I haven’t been. I have had 3 attempts and twice I had to cancel for work reasons and the third, well Aunt Flo had impeccable timing. I am ringing tomorrow to make an appointment.

   Promise !!!

    
9. anonymum, 14. May 2008, 23:56
   

   As a cervical cancer survivor, the only thing I can say is DO IT!! Don’t leave it, don’t avoid it, just do it. Yes, it’s uncomfortable, yes it’s undignified…but most would agree the consequences of NOT having it done are far worse. If I hadn’t been so willing to go and have them done, I wouldn’t be typing this!
   It’s a small price to pay, trust me

    
10. Michele, 15. May 2008, 1:30
    

    I had went years without a female checkup; 3 years ago I went in for a checkup and the dr discovered I had bladder cancer. I had surgery the next week and so far am cancer free. Preventative measures are always a good road to travel!!

     
11. Marita, 15. May 2008, 8:28
    

    As I’m off to the doctors today anyways I shall make sure to ask when my last smear was and check if they send out reminder letters when it is due again.

     
12. Sharon, 15. May 2008, 9:29
    

    Oh….I just don’t want to talk about it.

    I don’t remember when my last test was. I’m one of those odd people wiht an odd shaped pelvis and these tests actually hurt. I’m guessing they hurt way less than cancer but still…..I’m pretty good with making excuses.

    I will book in next time the lady doctor comes. Promise.

     
13. Maggie, 15. May 2008, 9:56
    

    In Ontario the government will cover the cost of a Pap smear every 12 months. Although if you’ve had a clean result for 5 years in a row you can go every 2nd year, i still insist on going every 12 months. If the government is going to cover the cost of it, than why wouldn’t i? yes, it’s uncomfortable, but better safe than sorry.

     
14. lightening, 15. May 2008, 11:32
    

    Alice - an interesting birthday gift. I think I’d have to go the day before my birthday. That way I could wake up on my birthday with the knowledge that’s it’s another year (actually the doctor told me yesterday 2.5 years - it must vary) before I need to go.

    Lynette - good old Ron eh? I don’t think I kept that joke. Feel free to share.

    Gemisht - good for you. Not so good about the bad timing though.

    Anonymum - wow. Thanks for sharing your story. Glad it worked out okay for you.

    Michele - that sounds really scary. I’m glad you’ve come through it okay.

    Marita - well done. I’ve decided in the future I need to have as little time as possible in the lead up (cos that’s the worst bit). Wouldn’t it be great if you could have it done there and then and be done with it without needing to think about it.

    Sharon - Just ring up and book now. Don’t wait. Sounds rough. But the lady doctor is lovely (have you seen her before). Pity you didn’t have it done this week. We could have cancelled our gym session and gone for free coffee and cake together.

    Maggie - that’s great. Our government covers a fair amount of the cost of ours. I’m not sure exactly how it works out as we’re on a special card right now which makes our visits free anyway.

     
15. Lynette, 15. May 2008, 20:38
    

    A recent story I heard just to add some humour to this topic!……

    “A lady was running late for her appointment with the Dr for her smear and quickly wiped herself with a flannel that was on her bath.

    When she was lying exposed for the Dr, he told her that she must have gone to lots of trouble to ready herself, which she thought quite odd….

    So when she got home she checked the flannel she had used and found her daughter had used it to wipe off her glittery lip gloss!

    …. hence she was a sparkling down below……………. how embarrassing! ”

    Now are you roaring with laughter? I was snickering for hours after a friend shared this with me!

    Now what are you going to be thinking next time you go for a smear test? Maybe you could share this with the Dr as a distraction!

     
16. lightening, 15. May 2008, 22:34
    

    Thanks Lynette.

     

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