Colospy

Hi Danielle and welcome to the group.

It’s very common to have one or more biopsies taken at a colposcopy to make sure that the correct results are established, as there can potentially be differences between a smear and colposcopy result. It’s impossible to anticipate what the biopsy might show-it could be that it shows nothing or it could be that it indicates abnormal cells.

In a cancer group like this, you’d be more likely to see ladies who have had something picked up at a biopsy, but that doesn’t mean it would be the same for you-it’s just the nature of this type of group. 

If the wait for results is 16 weeks, then hopefully that suggests that there will be nothing to worry about as if anything of major concern was found, you wouldn’t be waiting this length of time. We all hate waiting for results, but you’ll just need to sit it out I’m afraid and try not tto let the worry take over. 

Please feel free to post in the group with any questions and to let us know how you get on.

Sarah xx

Hi Sarah 

Do you know what the difference is between a colposcopy and a hysteroscopy(which I had at the very start)?  They both seem to do the same job like lol 

Angela xx

Hi Angela

Colposcopy in a strongly magnified examination of the cervix and vagina, and hysteroscopy is a camera into the womb.

So they are different in that they’re looking at different bits of your bits! 

Sarah xx

Sarah you have me laughing here different bits . I had a hysteroscopy done eua. Where they took biopsy to give me my diagnosis. So both procedures seemed like they were one and the same since Danielle is having a biopsy. Thankyou for clearing that up.

Angela xx

A colposcopy is usually the next step after an abnormal smear-so they’ve identified Hpv being present and the colposcopy is the next check to see if there are abnormal cells. They use a speculum like in a smear test and and the magnifying thing stays on the outside of the body. I think it magnifies something like 40 times, and liquid is applied to the cervix to identify any abnormal cells by changing colour. Then they can take a biopsy of any specific area of abnormality. 

The hysteroscopy is when they put this thin tube inside with a wee camera on the end to get a look at your womb. I was awake for this and the gynaecologist asked if I wanted to watch on the screen set up beside the chair. In those days I was squeamish so declined! But he had already seen the lesion on my cervix which was visible to the naked eye, and couldn’t see in my womb properly because of all the blood so he took a couple of punch biopsies of what turned out to be my tumour.  Blood was absolutely pouring out of me by then-I was just mortified! But none of it was painful-just very messy!

Sarah xx

I was the same Sarah, they tried to do the biopsy and camera while I was awake but I bled profusely and she couldn't see anything so she booked me in for hysteroscopy under general anesthetic. When I came round and before being discharged the nurse came and the bed was soaked in blood. She said I've to remove a small bit off packing it's just like a tampon she says!! Yeah rite this thing was about 6 feet long and soaked..I could hardly walk lol. That was 5th Dec last year but I'll not forget it lol xx

Oh my goodness Angela! It’s ok for them to say it’s like a tampon when it’s not coming out of their bits! I still remember my exam too and that was in 2018…it’s etched in my memory…me taking these tiny steps across the room to get dressed while the blood was plopping onto the floor. Those poor nurses having to clean up but I suppose they see all sorts. Then they gave me an incontinence pad to put on the car seat for going home!

Sarah xx

Jeez Sarah us women go thru a heck of a lot but I'm actually crying with laughter here at you tiny stepping it across the room lol. But you're right nurses have seen it all many times so it doesn't faze them. I watched my nurses face and I could see she expected a small tampon size bit of wadding but instead it was a full size bed sheet! She looked shocked lol thank God we can look back and have a giggle at ourselves.

Xx

Honestly we do go through a lot as women don’t we? I used to say I left my dignity at the door when I had my babies all those years ago, but I’ve definitely lost it complete after having cancer! But I’m giggling here at the thought of the nurse pulling that wad of stuff out and there being more and more-like something out of a carry on film! You definitely need to keep a sense of humour though, and I can definitely laugh at myself…it’s better than crying anyway.

Sarah xx