I wondered if anyone else had the same issue as me.
Not long after being diagnosed with cervical cancer the first time, I received the cervical screening invitation letter. I asked my gp surgery to be taken off the “list” for this as I already had cancer and would be followed up with examinations following treatment. They agreed and I heard no more.
Suddenly 2 days ago I got another letter from the screening service inviting me for a smear! I phoned my gp surgery and asked them to stop giving my name to the screening service-they said they would try and see what they could do. I explained about my surgery, but they just don’t understand.
As I don’t have a cervix and have had my vagina removed and sewn up from the inside, I wonder where they intend to put the speculum????
I found myself getting really annoyed that no-one listens, and I will probably start getting reminder letters now. All it does is remind me what I’ve lost.
Sarah xx
Hi Angela
Doing ok thanks-long time no hear! Hope you’re doing ok. Yes, my understanding was that treatment would mean results would be abnormal, but my issue is the fact that I’ve had my vagina removed along with everything else so it’s not physically possible for me to have a smear.
Sarah xx
I'm doing ok Sarah thanks 
Yeah that makes sense and although I've still all my "bits" Ive been informed that I'd need an op to ever have penetrative sex again! There goes meeting a knight in shining armour lol 
Angela xx
Oh my goodness-I’m sorry to read that. Is that the radiation damage? Are you still able to get internal exams? I did use the dilators after my treatment, until I had my recurrence, so I didn’t have any issue with things until I had to have my surgery.
Sarah xx
They aren’t the nicest things are they?? I used them to make sure I could keep everything open, but didn’t like it at all! But I found internals no issue at my check ups and it’s a good job because it meant my recurrence was spotted early. I had an internal everY 3 months at my check ups. So it was worthwhile from that point of view at least! I had no symptoms of recurrence so without that check I would never have known about it. Do you think you’ll have surgery?
Sarah xx
Tbh I've only had 1 physical exam done by the consultant shortly after treatment ended Sarah, I've had scans for the BAM and the IF but after that just phone consultations. Don't think at my age I don't think il 
meet any bloke I'm willing to go thru an op for lol
Angela xx
Aww…you’re not old Angela! Maybe the protocol is different in NI- here in England it was always 3 monthly appointments for an internal and general feel around of abdomen and groin lymphnodes. Mind you, I only have phone consultations now, and they are getting further apart. But I have been told I can phone any time and make a face to face appointment.
I had to have a Ct scan in February when my bile duct was blocked but that was in A&E as an emergency admission. I hadn’t had a scan for 3 years before that.
Sarah xx
Oh Sarah I'm sure u were worried sick at the hospital? I know you don't deal well with that setting 
i was told I'd b seen ever 3/4 months for 2 years but I think iv had 2 face to face with hospital and all other appointments have been on the fone! It was during a phonecall that they detected I might have BAM and IF and they were right but stil just calls
Angela xx
I was in tears at the hospital Angela, when they said I needed a scan! I got taken in by ambulance-I was much more ill than I realised, but they said it was life threatening so it was a good job I got the ambulance.
I refused an mri, but did have the Ct and got the results really quickly. I got transferred to another hospital, and was in there for 8 nights while they tried to get me sorted out. And been back again as a day case since. Horrible time it was! I do not do good in hospitals at all with my ptsd but I had jaundice, cholangitis and then pancreatitis so I needed to be pumped full of antibiotics to try and sort my liver. All is calm for now though thank goodness!
Sarah xx
Jeez Sarah sounds like you had a rough time and I remember you said before how any hospital setting really gets to you so I'm glad it's all sorted now
Angela xx
