Pap Smears

[PsychoCat]

My 19 year old had her first real gyno appoint a few days ago and today they called to sayher pap smear has come back with a few abnormal cells on her cervix (Class I dysplasia)....so they are going to do a biopsy Monday morning.....Im sure everything will be fine..... but of course she is thinking the worse ...... I was curious has anyone else had an experience with this .... they said it is fairly common and that a large number of women are diagnosed with this and that 80% of the time everything comes back fine :?

[POEKLM]

Not yet, I need to make an appointment for my oldestdaughter. I told her she needs to prepare herself mentally. She is very shy. I hope your daughter doesn't worry too much. It is probably good that they are taking a good look. Sometimes I think they say everything is fine too soon.

[capcat]

I don't have experience with abnormal findings, but she will be in my thoughts, and you will too. 80% odds of it being nothing sound reassuring...please keep us posted.

p.s. forgive me, but I do have a couple of funnyob/gyn stories...I just can'tshare them here. :cool: Sure we all do.:)

[fanaticfan]

Yes, I have had this experience. I once had laser surgery to remove abnormal cells from my cervix. they called it pre-cancer. I had to go every 3 months and then every 6 until I was clear. Then my pap last month came back as having abnormal cells. I was concerned because I had a hysterectomy 4 years ago. My doctor explained to me that it could show up as abnormal for many reasons. in my case he suggested that I repeat it in 3 months. I am glad they are checking her out and will keep her in my prayers.

Ladies, remember to get your pap smears yearly!

[UK Chic]

I, also, have had an abnormal test. Things are completely fine now. I did have some pre-cancer cells removed and also, some other tests (totally not pap smear related - other female stuff) and everything is fine now. Actually, that was several years ago so I guess I bounced back well.

On the note of what fanaticfan said, yes, Please get those yearly exams. They do SO much more than just the uncomfortable stuff.

I must say, I have one of the best ob/gyn's around. She is wonderful to me and takes everything I say seriously. I did found out she is only doing the gyn part now - no babies. Sad, b/c I wanted her to delivery our baby if we ever have one....

[catfeverintennessee]

Count me in as well. Had the abnormal test, biopsy,and then the freezing of the cervix. Had hysterectomy in 2001 with cervix removed thinking that would take care of things. 2003 in complete exam, pap smear comes back abnormal cells again:shock:After redoing test several times, shows that it is ok but to have one every 6 months. Still do no understand how if cervix gone can have the dysplasia still but doctor said not to worry. Just keep 6 month check.

Will keep her in prayers. And it is so very important for us ladies, young or old,to get annual checkups! Sometimes we are so busy taking care of everyone else we forget to take care of ourselves. So many issues can be prevented or cured IF only caught in time.

[zonetoncatfan]

I go to Dr. Elaine Stauble who was the last holdout doing ob alone...now it's just groups in Louisville. Wondered if that's who you went to, UK Chic. She is great.

My advice for everyone is to go to a woman. I know men can be sensitive, but they truly can not know what we go through.

Hope all goes well with your daughter psychocat. :)

[bleedbluelady]

Psychocat, I can't imagine how anxious you and your daughter feel. I haven't had that experience, but have had to go through a breast biopsy.On the outside I was positive,but underneath I was a nervous wreck. All turned out okay. I will say a prayer for your daughter that all is well.

[CATHYnKY]

capcat wrote:
p.s. forgive me, but I do have a couple of funnyob/gyn stories...I just can'tshare them here. :cool: Sure we all do.:)

My pap smears have been OK. Its the mammograms that I dread. I've had to have them since I was 30. My mother, 1st cousin and an aunt all had breast cancer. My aunt died. Nothing any more frightening than finding a lump. A large one. Fortunately it was just a cyst and was drained in the doctor's ofc. I've had several bouts with cyst. Soooooooooo ladies!!! Please keep on top of this stuff.

PsycoCat - your daughter is in my thoughts. Let us know how things turn out. Tell her to try and not worry. You too!

[CoquieKat]

PsychoCat, mine have all been OK, but I know someone who had something similar happen to her. An abnormal Pap, but they did more testing and found out that it wasn't anything to worry about (I want to say it was dysplasia, too). They're just going to keep a close eye on her tests for the next few years.

I'm sure she'll be fine, but sending prayers up just in case. :cool:

[TrueblueCATfan]

IN 1998 right after my 40 th birthday I had to have a hysterectomy because I had fibroid tumors on the lining of my uterus....it was very painful and every month I was going thru hell

[CATHYnKY]

TrueblueCATfan wrote: IN 1998 right after my 40 th birthday I had to have a hysterectomy because I had fibroid tumors on the lining of my uterus....it was very painful and every month I was going thru hellI dodged the bullet (knife) on that one. Doctor decided to wait a few months. Mine didn't grow or maybe they shrunk. I think I still have them, but they aren't a problem. Nothing monthly is a problem anymore. It the daily "warm ups" that get on my nerves. And every one around me sometimes :P

[Calsegs]

We all have our stories, our worries, our concerns. It sounds as though the majority of you are fortunate to have doctors that you trust, and relate to..I'm due for may annual, exam, no excuses.

My mammogram history resembles Cathy's.

My husband is a wonderful OB/GYN (of course, not mine). He graduated frm UK Medical School in 1977, trained at Medical College of Ga. and Stanford. He is a solo practitioner, still delivering babies..over 6,000 now.:D

My own terrific doctor will retire one of these days, he's over 70, though as youthful as his 57 year old nurse practitioner wife can keep him!
I can't imagine who I'll find to replace hin/them.I'll be searching for someone like my husband--a great communicator,ethical, well-trained, real smart, very gentle...

[UK Chic]

zonetoncatfan wrote: I go to Dr. Elaine Stauble who was the last holdout doing ob alone...now it's just groups in Louisville. Wondered if that's who you went to, UK Chic. She is great.

My advice for everyone is to go to a woman. I know men can be sensitive, but they truly can not know what we go through.

Hope all goes well with your daughter psychocat. :)

Mine is Dr Rebecca Booth, she is with Women First. I really care for her. She has offered her shoulder to me many times over the last couple years. Just wonderful!

[UFgirlfan07]

I have always gone to women gynos. They can relate to exactly what you are going through. I have never had an abnormal pap smear however I am getting one on Friday because of various issues I've had in the last several months, including going through almost a month and a half of bleeding. Not sure what's going on but my periods are now extremely painful and heavy. I took myself off the pill and now just hoping that whatever is wrong is nothing serious. My aunt is a nurse though and seems to think it may be cystic fibroids. Anyone have those?

[bleedbluelady]

I did. They fortunately were not a major problem and went away with time. I'm glad to hear you are getting this checked out. I'll be thinking of you and hope all goes well.

[Calsegs]

Just for the record, I fully support women physicians, and their right to be thoracic surgeons , urologists or whatever they desire.

When my gynecologist retires, I'll be looking for a good another good match for me, male or female. Probably female, since male gynecologists are increasingly rare.
I'll want from her the same qualities I've enjoyed for the past 26 years: excellent training, strong communication skills, caring, gentle touch, wisdom, intelligent humor, availability and common sense(good clinical judgement.)

I will say this--these days a woman in Ob-Gyn doesn't have to be particularly good to succeed in private practice. Being female is quite enough.

A good number of women have come to my husband's office over the years ,thinking he's female(first name could be a woman's) Not one of them has left after consulting with him, which is astounding.
Something about the information exchange made them feel comfortable and confident, so they stayed. He says he's among the last of a dying breed.:?

[fanaticfan]

I have a male ob-gyn doctor. Dr. Nathan Baker in Whitesburg, Kentucky. That was one of the drawbacks of being in the military and traveling every three years. However, this man has been in practice for quite a while and has treated all of the women in my family. it was only natural that I would become his patient when we retired here. He no longer accepts new patients and does have a clinic of female doctors woeking with him. I feel very comfortable with him. As a matter of fact, I just had surgery two weeks ago on my bladder, the TVT , any of you ladies heard of it? I am very satisfied with the results. I would highly reccommend it to anyone who may have a problem. I know that most of you ladies here are young and would not have these problems but after a extremely rough childbirth and then a hysterectomy my bladder neeeded some help. Sorry to get off the subject............

[Calsegs]

I've heard that the TVT is minimally invasive, quick to heal and provides a good result, fanaticfan.

I can relate to your comment. Pushing babies out the "birth canal" isn't so easy on the surrounding organs. :?