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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask you all to give me a right big kick up the arse?

71 replies

ChristmasTrulyReigns · 18/10/2010 21:18

I'm just too self conscious to book my well overdue smear test, let alone go for one. Sad and Angry

Please nag, cajole, inveigle and bully me into gaining a more positive attitude towards this.

I just need some persuasion and encouragement, I know I need to get on and do it, but there's something that's forming a mental barrier to the process.

I'm normally quite a brave soul, but this is truly defeating me. Sad

OP posts:
nigglewiggle · 18/10/2010 21:25

Consider yourself duly booted up the rear-end. You don't need it spelling out to you, do you.

proudnscary · 18/10/2010 21:27

I'm not even going to joke about this, don't be so fecking stupid. Go and do it.

It's 3 seconds of your life with a cold metal stick thing up your fanjo.

Book in the morning, woman.

potplant · 18/10/2010 21:27

Just get on with it woman.

You haven't got anything the nurse hasn't seen before and she will have forgotten all about you before you've left the building.

Joolyjoolyjoo · 18/10/2010 21:32

Go do it! I've always been really dutiful wrt my smears, and they were always clear, and I could never really understand the fuss people made about them. But last year my routine smear revealed pre-cancerous cells, so I had to go for a colposcopy. I was convinced I would go, and they would say, "oh no, it was a mistake- you're all clear yet again." But they didn't! They decided I did have abnormal cells and I had to get cryotherapy. The whole thing really scared me, but I have spoken to loads of women since who have had the same. My last smear was clear, and I am so glad that I went for that routine smear and had the treatment as soon as possible. I actually feel quite proud that I did everything in my power to protect my health and my future health. The main consolation for me as I was waiting for the results of that last smear was that I had done, and would continue to do, everything in my power to sort it out- I had nothing to kick myself for!

So go!

TattyDevine · 18/10/2010 21:37

Okay here goes.

If you are self concious now, imagine how self concious you'd feel getting your fanjo out every 2 weeks for radiotherapy to try and blast a malignant tumour that spread from the site to your pelvis.

If that sounds bad, imagine how ugly or weird you'd feel as your hair fell out in clumps and you were bald. Including your eyelashes.

Then your face swells to the size of a full moon with the pregnesone you are taking to try and prolong your life a little bit more, perhaps so you can make it to Christmas, or your daughter's next birthday.

Still feel self concious about parting your legs for about 20 seconds?

Sorry. You did ask.
Smile

JaynieB · 18/10/2010 21:39

Go on - you know you can do this!
I've just had a reminder and am booked in later this month.
It's not fun, but it is over quickly.

ouchthatssore · 18/10/2010 21:39

What Tatty said.

And then imagine explaining to your loved ones that you didn't catch it earlier because you were self conscious about having a smear done...

kick delivered yet?

Mumcentreplus · 18/10/2010 21:43

I can't even give you a good cussing Blush I'm in the same boat I've been actively avoiding mine for a good long while!!..how about we book the appointment tomorrow? Smile

lola0109 · 18/10/2010 21:47

I used to feel the same about smears and when I stayed at home with parents put one off for minths until one day my dad asked why I had a letter from the docs. I had told my mum and she told my dad who then went on and on until I booked it!

I was mortified!! I have never delayed since!

I am now one of the naggers like my dad, god forbid one of my sisters forgets or delays!

DO IT!

Creeeakkkingdarkalley · 18/10/2010 21:48

go on - just remember jade goody and her 2 motherless little boys. don't do that to your family

HappySeven · 18/10/2010 21:49

I can see what Tatty's saying but radiotherapy doesn't work like that. Definitely a good idea to go though, it really is just a few minutes of discomfort/embarrassment. Approx 20 years ago at my local hospital 6 women were treated a day for advanced cervical cancer, now about 5 a week are and this is put down to the increased use of condoms and the rise in smears.

TattyDevine · 18/10/2010 21:51

Sorry HappySeven I'm certainly no expert and was adlibbing, but I do remember Jade Goody having radiotherapy on her show and had to get naked for it, and it seemed to be a semi-regular ish type thing and it was for a bit that had mastastisised (sp?) Blush

Not that I uh watch reality TV or anything like that, or TV at all of course

SquidgyBrain · 18/10/2010 21:53

I was the same when I was much younger, I put it off and put it off - had to go to the GP as I was ill and had lost my voice, and I kid you not he asked if I wanted him to book me in for a smear then, of course I tried and failed to speak, so he phoned the practice nurse and booked me in for one then and there - it was horrid - but it took all of 5 minutes and then I didn't have the worry of avoiding it any more.

to make it worse I was a student nurse at the time and should have known better!

Trust me the person doing it have seen thousands of fanjos and could care less, they are probably thinking about what to cook for dinner whilst doing it - they are seriously that interested - go do it you will be fine - I don't think many of us would say they enjoyed smear time but you just have to be a big grown up and go and do it

LynLiesNomoreZombieFest · 18/10/2010 21:56

How do you feel about DYING of embarassment.

My DN has had pre cancerous cells removed this week.

Grow up woman.

clairefromsteps · 18/10/2010 21:58

Christmas you must go! But you know that already, don't you? Wink

If it helps, and assuming this isn't too much info, you could always do what I do and pretend the smear is being done by whichever celebrity you currently have a crush on.

I've got one booked for Frday and it's David Tennant turn Grin

spiderlight · 18/10/2010 21:59

I avoided mine for years. If I hadn't gone when I did, there's a chance I'd be dead now and my 3 year old would be without a mum, as they found severe, advanced CIN III. Two loop excisions later I'm fine and have had two years of clear smears, but I will never, ever miss a smear again.

allhallowsandwine · 18/10/2010 22:00

go do it book the apt first thing...can i use this thread to tell the funniest story ever and lighten the mood. I put off smear for ages before had dd and was bullied and cohersed every time i went to gps even by hv for god sake so i did only to find i had irregular cells and have had a smear every six months for past 2 years last one was fine but if it wasnt i would have needed treatment, now only every year so all that bullying saved my life possibly or not dont want to be dramatic.

so anyway I was shitting it so much. this is the funny bit. they couldnt get the scpectulum in and couldnt see my cervics as it had closed up with nerves. the nurse managed to get a good position and turned around to talk to the bloddy student and nocked the bench and the blood light bulb fell out the lamp amd burned my thigh, I jumped and laughed so much I pushed the spectulum out so far it hit the curtains, giggles then set in once we all composed ourselfs it was fine two bloody seconds and over.

anyway

Original poster
ChristmasTrulyReigns · 18/10/2010 22:02

Thank you, there's some really pertinent points here amd I feel inspired, but am now worrying that after soo fucking long - it might be too late to do anything and I think I'm now probably using the head in the sand approach. Sad

OP posts:
FeedMeSeymour · 18/10/2010 22:03

Ummm howsabout my lovely, beautiful colleague Geraldine died a week before her 21st birthday from cervical cancer? Will that do you?

She wasn't even old enough to qualify for a smear test and had been with the same boyfriend she'd lost her virginity to since they were both 16. Her GP kept knocking her back for a test cos she wasn't old enough so if you are then ignoring your entitlement to it is just bloody stupid.

Go and get it done for fucks sake. It doesn't hurt and it's far less embarrassing than giving birth could ever be - and it might just SAVE YOUR LIFE!

TattyDevine · 18/10/2010 22:03

Actually there's a point, when you DIE, you are laid out on a slab, naked, to be embalmed!

Hell I'm going to have to have that tummy tuck or do some serious sit-ups before my time comes Blush ...I'm WAY too squidy to die!!!

ronshar · 18/10/2010 22:04

If you have had a child then a small speculum is a doddle.

Seriously. Get your butt down the doctors.

winnybella · 18/10/2010 22:04

It takes literally like a minute. The nurse/doctor puts a speculum in-10 seconds? Gets the brush- another 10 seconds. Gets the sample- it never took longer than 10 seconds for me, ever. It doesn't hurt now that they use brushes thingies.

And what tatty said.

Seriously, it's not a big deal, I don't understand why people are scared. It's quick, doesn't hurt, the person doing it sees hundreds of vulvas a month...Just do it.

winnybella · 18/10/2010 22:06

FFS Chaos, you most probably do not have a cervical cancer. But if you have precancerous cells you need treatment now to prevent getting it later.

Have you got children?

IfAtFirstUDontSucceed · 18/10/2010 22:13

BOOK IT ASAP
I go every three years without fail, and this year I had to be referred for a colposcopy. I had a loop diathermy to remove pre-cancerous cells - god knows what would have happened if I never went for my smear!

You will feel so proud of yourself for doing it!

Original poster
ChristmasTrulyReigns · 18/10/2010 22:17

Yep winny I have 4.

I think MN has worked its power, thanks I will phone tomorrow.

Probably give the receptionist a heart attack after these years.

OP posts:
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