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Original poster

Help me to be brave

17 replies

magnum · 04/04/2004 12:00

I have an appointment for colposcopy on Wednesday and am terrified. I had an abnormal smear 5 years ago (CIN3, the worst kind) and had to go for treatment. I really freaked out and they had to treat me under general anasthetic in the end. I had clear smears since then but this last one has come back mildly abnormal. I had a baby last year and I think that has made me worse. I'm convinced I've got cancer this time and am sure the colposcopy will uncover it. I really do want to be brave and get treated but am so scared. It's all I can think about day and night and its making me so miserable. Does anyone have any experience of this or can anyone give me any tips on how to overcome my fears? Please help

OP posts:
wobblyknixx · 04/04/2004 12:05

I'm so sorry magnum. I've got no advice but I really hope it goes well and they'll always be people on here thinking about you while you go through it.

((((((BIG HUGS))))))

stace · 04/04/2004 12:13

Hi magnum, so sorry to hear your news, i dont know much about it but im happy to try and give you some calming and hopefully practical advice if you think it may help.

a) are you worried about the colposcopy or the results following that?
b) what support network do you have ?

focus on the mildly abnormal thing for the moment!!

and try to keep busy.

(((((()))))))

Janstar · 04/04/2004 12:14

I had colposcopy about ten years ago, I had to have 6mm scraped away. Since then I insist on a smear test every year, and I have had no recurrence. The colposcopy treatment was quick and uncomfortable but not really painful.

I am still here 10 years on, so glad they caught my stage 3 cells in time. I know someone else who had cryotherapy at least 15 years ago, she has since had a baby and is fine.

Take a friend with you to the hospital or your dh, to help you to stay calm, and give you support. Please try not to worry, after all, what can you do? I think the chances of everything being fine are much higher than those of something being badly wrong. Thank goodness we have smear tests to highlight these problems before they get out of control.

Best wishes for Weds, please post.

Original poster
magnum · 04/04/2004 12:16

Hi stace, I'm worried about both the procedure and the results, but mainly what they will find. My abnormal result came back in January and I've waited all this time for my appointment at the hospital so it's really been building up. I've got good support from dh and family but they don't really know what to say except 'don't worry'. Maybe a sedative before my appointment would be a good idea

OP posts:
Evita · 04/04/2004 12:25

magnum I had colposcopy treatment about 5 years ago and had some cells burnt away. The thing to remember is that at this stage with only a mild abnormality the cells are almost definitely PRE-cancerous. If the cells looked cancerous they would never have left your appointment this far away. Pre-cancerous and even cancerous cells are very easy to treat in this area. Having said all that I really do sympathise with you and understand totally how worried you must be. It's even harder with a child isn't it? I'm currently waiting / undergoing hospital tests and am also regularly in a panic. It will be good for you to get this over and done with. Good luck!

Original poster
magnum · 04/04/2004 12:55

Thank you all for your replies. I will just have to get it over and done with. Thanks again for your support

OP posts:
stace · 04/04/2004 18:56

Magnum, why dont you ring your doctor or the hospital on monday and tell them what a state you are in. Tell them that you think you could do with some help, i really dont know but maybe they will give you something to help relax you or maybe they will say that its ok to have a stiff drink before.

I do think that your gp should know that you are not in a good way emotionally so that they can support you. Also keep on typing your feelings out here it does seem to help so many of us to at least unburden the stuff reeling round our heads.

sending you 's and ((()))

nightowl · 05/04/2004 00:20

i had that treatment a couple of years back and i was terrified aswell, but the whole thing only took about 30 seconds and didnt hurt at all. Probably a good idea to talk to someone about it though if you need some reassurance. All the best.

Ghosty · 05/04/2004 01:23

Magnum ... I don't have any advice ...
But I know that I would be scared too ... I think anything like that gets more scary when you have kids because you worry about their future don't you?
Please try to relax if you can, be kind to yourself ....
Hugs {{{}}}
Love Ghosty xxx

Original poster
magnum · 07/04/2004 15:35

Had my apt today at the hospital. I was in a terrible state and it took quite a while to let the dr examine me. He took another smear and apparantly where I had treatment for abnormal cells 5 years ago this has not healed properly. I have had a baby since which has probably made it worse. I will need an operation to sort this out but he said I do not have cancer. I am so relieved, I don't care what other treatment I might need. Thanks for your support and I think I will go to GP to be referred for counselling. I lost my mum to cancer when I was 8. My earliest memories were visiting her in hospital. I also lost my dad and all aunts, uncles & 3 gradparents to the same disease. I do think I have a phobia and definately need some help. Thanks again for your words of support.

OP posts:
Easy · 07/04/2004 15:40

Magnum,

Thanx for letting us know, I'm glad it's turned out better than you expected.

Do ask your Dr. for help tho' regarding your Cancer fears. It's no Wonder you have the worries you have, and he may be able to arrange counselling or regular check-ups to help you keep it in perspective.

stace · 07/04/2004 17:30

Magnum, well done for getting through it and great news that its not cancer. In my opinion definetly get some counselling you are so so normal to have issues given the circumstances and you need to have some really good specialist support to help you through it Also regular screening may be a good idea too Well done tho'

Thomcat · 07/04/2004 17:44

Wonderful news So pleased it's all turned out okay for you.

kid · 09/04/2004 09:40

Glad it all went well Magnum. I also think that counselling will help you. Good luck XXX

Clarinet60 · 09/04/2004 22:35

Glad it's over and good news Magnum. Sorry to hear that you've lost all your close family. That's really tough.
xxxxxx

Janh · 09/04/2004 23:09

magnum, you poor love, I'm so glad you are OK but I'm not surprised you panicked so much with a family history like that. I think it would help you a lot to talk through all your fears. Hugs XXX

carla · 09/04/2004 23:19

Magnum,

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