Precancerous cells...

kittysaysmeow · 11-02-2007, 10:11 PM

I've been seeing a specialist for about 1 1/2 years for precancerous cells on my cervix. They told me they tend to wait 2 years before removing them to see if my body does it naturally.

Anyway, today I went in for my appointment and it has gotten worst. The doctor wants me to come in for a consultation and then set up an appointment for a LEEP procedure.

I guess my issue is that I'm really scared. Everyone keeps telling me that everything will be ok and that it isn't cancer. BUT this coincides with my aunt being diagnosed with terminal cancer and it started the exact same way.

I know we're different people and I know that the doctor's are keeping an eye on me, but that doesn't make it any less scary.

My boyfriend is being really nice about it. He wants to be there for the procedure and he's been really good to talk to. It's just that he's never gone through it (obviously) and it's hard to hear "it'll be ok" from someone that doesn't have a clue about women's issues.

So, I guess I'm writing here today to see if anyone out there is going through (or has been through) the same thing. Maybe telling me their experiences so that I know I'm not alone.

Anyone?

IntoTheFire · 11-02-2007, 10:35 PM

Hey,

A really good friend of mine had pretty much the exact same thing as you. She just went to the doctor for a routine thing, and they came across some pre-canc cells on her cervix.

She said that she was lucky to have had them caught early, and she was booked in for removal about a month later. I'm not sure of the name of the procedure she went through...and I don't know what LEEP is...?

Anyway, she went to the hospital, had the procedure done, and was on her feet in absolutely no time at all.
All she complained about was a little bit of discomfort for about 24hrs, and afterwards, she was back to normal.

I'm not sure why you had to wait 2 years for removal...that's definitely nothing like what happened with my friend.

I guess it's just really unfortunate that you've know/known someone to go through cancer before. Obviously this does increase your worry, but I can honestly say that you have to listen to the PRE part of pre-cancerous.

You're actually in such a good position that there's no cancer. Of course, many people have no idea they have these cells til it's time for proper treatement.

If I were you I'd just make sure I got full info from my doctor regarding what to expect from the procedure, recovery time, pain expectations (if any) etc.

If your situation is anything similar to my friend's, you'll be surprised at how little the procedure will affect you. You'll get a couple of days off work, though. Always good, right?

JadedStar · 11-02-2007, 10:50 PM

I had this 20 years ago. I had kryotherapy (not sure if i spelled that right - where they freeze the cells to destroy it) shortly after diagnosis and have been free of any issues ever since. Hope that gives you some solace.

kittysaysmeow · 11-02-2007, 11:10 PM

The doctor wanted me to wait two years since most of the time the issue resolves on its own. I guess they figure it's better than having surgery.

I think the issue that bothers me the most is that it takes up to 4 weeks for the cervix to completely heal. I'll be able to work the next day but I suppose it's the whole "surgery" label. I've never been sick (besides a cold), I work out, eat healthy, I don't smoke...it's just a new and scary thought that I'm not AS healthy as I thought I was.

It makes me feel better that you both know or have been through it and everything is ok. Thanks.

JeckyllNHyde · 11-03-2007, 12:33 AM

are there any symptomes when you have precancerous cells which you can notice yourself? or is it onlyidentifiable thru the gyno ?

comfyshoes · 11-03-2007, 02:16 AM

as usual, i'll supply the technical part.

LEEP is loop electrosurgical excision proceedure.
it's the equipment that they use to perfom the procedure.
a small loop shaped tool that is attatched to a cautery machine will be used to take the precancerous tissue away.

surgical proceedures always sound more horiffic than they need to, but i understand the fear that the word surgery induces.
it probably will take a good few weeks for the cervix to heal properly, but it shouldn't be painful as there are no nerve endings in the cervix.

keeping things crossed for you

itsallgrand · 11-03-2007, 07:20 AM

You sure aren't alone in this. I, too, went through it.

It's excellent when you catch it early like this. The procedure is not scary once you get there (it's always waiting that is the worse, isn't it) and it isn't very painful at all.

I know. I was really scared too at the time. Even the mention of the "C word" scared the daylights out of me.

I don't know if you have had the opportunity to, but when my doc arranged for the specialist to look they used a microscope? and I was able to view the cells on a tv screen if I so wished. I chose to look, and that put me back in control.

I suppose it depends on your personality, but if you are anything like me and feel better knowing as much as you can and even seeing as much as you can, a lot can often be arranged to help you there. I personally find it empowering to see exactly what is going on with my own body.

Best wishes. I'm quite confident you will be another one of us who will look back on this as a memory.

sarah9596 · 11-04-2007, 11:56 AM

Precancerous cells is not cancer. It means unattended, untreated they may turn cancerous. I had this when I was 21 - the dr performed a cone byopsy and I have had to have paps every 6 months - that was 22 years ago - my first "normal" pap without any "abornmal" cells was just last month. Really, you will be okay - but always always get your paps done on a regular basis

11-02-2007, 10:11 PM	#1
kittysaysmeow Offline Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 138	Precancerous cells... I've been seeing a specialist for about 1 1/2 years for precancerous cells on my cervix. They told me they tend to wait 2 years before removing them to see if my body does it naturally. Anyway, today I went in for my appointment and it has gotten worst. The doctor wants me to come in for a consultation and then set up an appointment for a LEEP procedure. I guess my issue is that I'm really scared. Everyone keeps telling me that everything will be ok and that it isn't cancer. BUT this coincides with my aunt being diagnosed with terminal cancer and it started the exact same way. I know we're different people and I know that the doctor's are keeping an eye on me, but that doesn't make it any less scary. My boyfriend is being really nice about it. He wants to be there for the procedure and he's been really good to talk to. It's just that he's never gone through it (obviously) and it's hard to hear "it'll be ok" from someone that doesn't have a clue about women's issues. So, I guess I'm writing here today to see if anyone out there is going through (or has been through) the same thing. Maybe telling me their experiences so that I know I'm not alone. Anyone?

11-03-2007, 12:33 AM	#5
JeckyllNHyde Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Gender: Female Age: 23 Posts: 5,203	are there any symptomes when you have precancerous cells which you can notice yourself? or is it onlyidentifiable thru the gyno ? __________________ You're just too good to be true... Can't take my eyes off of you...

11-03-2007, 02:16 AM	#6
comfyshoes Offline Gold Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: standing on the shoulders of giants Gender: Female Age: 34 Posts: 553	as usual, i'll supply the technical part. LEEP is loop electrosurgical excision proceedure. it's the equipment that they use to perfom the procedure. a small loop shaped tool that is attatched to a cautery machine will be used to take the precancerous tissue away. surgical proceedures always sound more horiffic than they need to, but i understand the fear that the word surgery induces. it probably will take a good few weeks for the cervix to heal properly, but it shouldn't be painful as there are no nerve endings in the cervix. keeping things crossed for you __________________ "stone is not what makes a prison" IM

11-03-2007, 07:20 AM	#7
itsallgrand Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: following my grace... Gender: None Specified Posts: 6,788	You sure aren't alone in this. I, too, went through it. It's excellent when you catch it early like this. The procedure is not scary once you get there (it's always waiting that is the worse, isn't it) and it isn't very painful at all. I know. I was really scared too at the time. Even the mention of the "C word" scared the daylights out of me. I don't know if you have had the opportunity to, but when my doc arranged for the specialist to look they used a microscope? and I was able to view the cells on a tv screen if I so wished. I chose to look, and that put me back in control. I suppose it depends on your personality, but if you are anything like me and feel better knowing as much as you can and even seeing as much as you can, a lot can often be arranged to help you there. I personally find it empowering to see exactly what is going on with my own body. Best wishes. I'm quite confident you will be another one of us who will look back on this as a memory. __________________ "The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off." Mal Pancoast

11-04-2007, 11:56 AM	#8
sarah9596 Offline Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Gender: Female Posts: 8	Precancerous cells is not cancer. It means unattended, untreated they may turn cancerous. I had this when I was 21 - the dr performed a cone byopsy and I have had to have paps every 6 months - that was 22 years ago - my first "normal" pap without any "abornmal" cells was just last month. Really, you will be okay - but always always get your paps done on a regular basis __________________ Remember... someone else is having a worse day

11-02-2007, 10:35 PM	#2
IntoTheFire Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Gender: None Specified Age: 22 Posts: 157	Hey, A really good friend of mine had pretty much the exact same thing as you. She just went to the doctor for a routine thing, and they came across some pre-canc cells on her cervix. She said that she was lucky to have had them caught early, and she was booked in for removal about a month later. I'm not sure of the name of the procedure she went through...and I don't know what LEEP is...? Anyway, she went to the hospital, had the procedure done, and was on her feet in absolutely no time at all. All she complained about was a little bit of discomfort for about 24hrs, and afterwards, she was back to normal. I'm not sure why you had to wait 2 years for removal...that's definitely nothing like what happened with my friend. I guess it's just really unfortunate that you've know/known someone to go through cancer before. Obviously this does increase your worry, but I can honestly say that you have to listen to the PRE part of pre-cancerous. You're actually in such a good position that there's no cancer. Of course, many people have no idea they have these cells til it's time for proper treatement. If I were you I'd just make sure I got full info from my doctor regarding what to expect from the procedure, recovery time, pain expectations (if any) etc. If your situation is anything similar to my friend's, you'll be surprised at how little the procedure will affect you. You'll get a couple of days off work, though. Always good, right?

11-02-2007, 10:50 PM	#3
JadedStar Offline Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: On a star far, far away... Posts: 16,345	I had this 20 years ago. I had kryotherapy (not sure if i spelled that right - where they freeze the cells to destroy it) shortly after diagnosis and have been free of any issues ever since. Hope that gives you some solace.

11-02-2007, 11:10 PM	#4
kittysaysmeow Offline Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 138	The doctor wanted me to wait two years since most of the time the issue resolves on its own. I guess they figure it's better than having surgery. I think the issue that bothers me the most is that it takes up to 4 weeks for the cervix to completely heal. I'll be able to work the next day but I suppose it's the whole "surgery" label. I've never been sick (besides a cold), I work out, eat healthy, I don't smoke...it's just a new and scary thought that I'm not AS healthy as I thought I was. It makes me feel better that you both know or have been through it and everything is ok. Thanks.