I went in for my first pap smear at 32 (not smart I know) because I was having bleeding after sex, followed by spotting for a few weeks, followed by heavy bleeding with clots on and off for a month, backache, and yellow watery discharge. The bleeding stops for a week or 2, then starts again. When I got my results back it said I have HSIL which is high grade cell changes. I had an ultrasound as well that came back saying that the bleeding was coming from a vascular area in my cervix. I don't have my colposcopy for another month and a half, and I am terrified I am going to have late stage incurable cancer. Has anyone else had a similar experience and turned out to be fine? I am terrified because I have 2 little girls I have to take care of and I am so scared of leaving them.
Hi Momof2
I’m sorry to read about your experience today, and appreciate you must be very worried after what you were told.
Did you have any biopsies taken today? If not, I would expect that to be the next step at your clinic appointment as cancer is diagnosed from a biopsy.
You are still at an early stage of the diagnostic process, so there’s a way to go yet which is difficult to manage when your thoughts run wild. But I’d honestly like to gently suggest that you try not to rush immediately to thoughts of leaving your children before you know anything. As I’ve said before on the thread, cervical cancer can be very treatable and you will need your diagnosis to know exactly what will happen next.
Please try not to give up before you know what you’re dealing with. Many of us have had a diagnosis at various stages of this cancer and have had successful treatment. I know your anxiety levels will be very high, so perhaps you could talk to your doctor and maybe get some short term help to cope with this?
It’s natural to be scared, we’ve all been there, but hang in there and let us know how things go.
Sarah xx
Do you know when you will find out if it was successful or not? Do you know when your appointment at the cancer clinic will be? I hope it’s not too long.
Sarah xx
Hi Momof2
It’s only a biopsy which will give the cancer diagnosis, if it is cancer. I’m sorry you still have more waiting, but it’s a big jump to be worrying that you have cancer and you won’t be treatable.
Obviously not all cervical cancer can be “cured” but I have never once come across any ladies who were not able to be treated at all. However, as you haven’t had any diagnosis yet, try not to keep thinking of a worst case scenario before you know anything. You will be exhausted with stress and worry, and that will make everything more difficult to handle.
Sarah xx
Hi Momof2
I’m so sorry to read that your diagnosis was at stage 3C-I remember how worried you were about getting an advanced diagnosis, but I’m glad to see that you’ve been able to get treatment started.
Are you having chemoradiation? We have a number of stage 3C ladies who have come through this treatment successfully, so I hope they’ll come along and offer you some support. I’ll tag in a couple and hope they see this. Snobird
How are you feeling so far? I hope you’re doing ok-It’s a lot for you to process, but the main thing to hold onto is that you are having treatment which can be very successful. I hope too that you’ll let us know how you’re getting on.
Sarah xx
