SUSAN: First Posting/Abnormal Pap

[Guest guest]

Dear :

First, welcome to this group of wise, warm and wonderful women!

All of us, I'm sure, can empathize with the anxiety you are facing, worrying

about a possible cancer diagnosis.

You asked about good links for cervical cancer.

Well, I've got a copy of Dr. H. 's book _A Gynecologist's

Second Opinion_ in front of me, and I've gone straight to the " Abnormal Pap

Smears,

HPV, Cervical Dysplasia, and Cervical Cancer " chapter.

Dr. (who, by the way, is also a medical contributor on this list)

writes:

" Like many quick and inexpensive tests, the Pap Smear is not 100 percent

accurate. If your Pap smear is not accurate, *do not panic*! Most Pap smear labs

are very cautious, and it is not uncommon for them to " overread " a Pap smear

based on any questionable cells they may see. "

Dr. goes on to mention that sometimes abnormal findings later are

determined to be benign. However to confirm the diagnosis, usually the next step

is a colposcopy.

I strongly recommend Dr. 's very readable, extremely informative book

for information about abnormal Paps, fibroids and a plethora of other

gynecological topics. Here's a link on Pap smears to give you an idea of the

book's

chapter.

http://www.gynsecondopinion.com/pap.htm

I owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. for this wonderful paperback book. I

had a serious ovarian cancer scare about eight years ago, long before I became

a member of this group.

Dr. 's chapter on ovarian cysts reassured me that, contrary to two

radiologists' suspicions and my own gynecologist's ominous recommendation, it

was

POSSIBLE that the ovarian mass in question was benign.

After reading this book, I specified in writing (contrary to my

gynecologist's original plan) that I wanted the ovary with the suspicious mass

*preserved*

if the mass were determined to be benign--and, happily, and to the surprise

of everyone, it was a benign cyst. And I still have both ovaries.

, I am hoping you have an equally good outcome!

Stay in touch! You probably know by now--that you can lean on the LOL as much

as needed! In medical lingo, I guess that would be a prescription for " LOL

PRN " .

Or...

if we adhere to the three-post-a day rule, the prescription would read: LOL

ad. lib. t.i.d. (freely, as wanted, three times a day!!)

My best wishes to you,

-Roma

In a message dated 4/21/2004 8:24:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

beaches55@... writes:

Hello LOL,

I've been a member of the list for about 4 weeks, ever since I was diagnosed

with 3 fibroids after seeing a GYN for abnormal bleeding. And surprise,

surprise, she told me I had 2 choices - based on my age (49) I should have a

hysterectomy, or I could be given a combination of drugs to " throw " me into

immediate menopause that would stop the bleeding.

Well, I went home after that appointment and began my research which led me

to this group where I've found there are so many more choices. Since that

time

I've begun to have a lot of pain along with the bleeding, and of course I am

anemic with a count of 31. But now to the real news that I found out

yesterday . . .

My PAP came back with abnormal cells indicating malignancy. So . . . looks

like I'm back to the hysterectomy option. Funny how everything seems to go

in

circles, isn't it? My GYN did some scraping yesterday and will share the

results of the tests with me tomorrow afternoon, but has already told me to

make a

decision on a GYN oncologist. I cried momentarily, and am very tired from

struggles I've had the last couple of years with work and my 15 year old

daughter. However, I will continue my research and do everything necessary

to get

back my health. Anyone on the list know some good links for info on cervical

cancer? I need to get working on this ASAP : >

Thanks for listening,