... to post under Women's Health?! Well, lucky me! Can I talk about myself? Well, I gotta get this off my chest so here it goes... I'm a nursing student, midwife assistant and birth doula (my boyfriend is an ob/gyn -- but I do birth the right way ) and I'm also awaiting my 6-month follow up exam for cervical dysplasia. I had cryo done 6 months ago and now it's time for a repeat pap... but I'm really scared. What if it's still there? What if it's cancer now? What if I can't have children?! Anyone have experience with cervical issues?

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I have no experience with cervical issues, but I wanted to write and let you know that I sincerely hope your tests come back okay! Waiting is the hardest part.

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code blog

Hey There Jessalou!

Don't take my word for gospel, but there is a good chance that your repeat pap will be negative. If not, then they'll recommend either a colposcopy if the pap is ASCUS (abnormal cells of unknown significance) or another cryo for higher grade lesions. But, in my experience I have had multiple patients with cryo's and they got pregnant just fine and gave birth just fine. As far as the cancer concern, it is unlikely to turn into a serious cancer lesion if you keep up with the paps and other recommendations. I can understand your worry, though, and I will hope your results are negative!

I'm also rooting for negative results!

I do have to say, I'd love to be a fly on the wall when you and your boyfriend discuss birthing issues! : )

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The ER is the only place where you are rewarded for efficiency by getting more patients!

Kim
http://www.emergiblog.com

Hi Jessalou,
I went through the same thing you are going through. Had the cryo then colpolscopy and the waiting was the absolute worst! But it all ended well, eventually my PAP became normal. Now it is abnormal on occasion but a second look reveals no cancer, so I've gotten used to the whole thing. I still dread my yearlys, but get them done. Apparently some of us ladies just have a troublesome cervix.
All of this occured after my childbearing was complete, so I can't speak to that.
Hang in and think good thoughts.

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JudyP

And Tofulou - don't forget to keep us posted!!!

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The ER is the only place where you are rewarded for efficiency by getting more patients!

Kim
http://www.emergiblog.com

Ugh. I hate to report that my PAP came bad dysplasic again Still low-grade though.

But still enough to merit some good cries yesterday.

So, after talking with John we've decided to do another PAP in November/December. Then if it's STILL dysplasic (low-grade or greater) we're going to LEEP.

Which led to more cries, of course.

*sigh* Frustrating. Disappointing. Maddening. Frightening.

Here we go again!

But, thanks for the words of encouragement and sharing stories of your own; It really does help. It lets me know that I'm not the only one!

xoxo.

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HA! We have some "interesting" conversations. He's much more accepting than I am...
"You Pit her? How long did you wait?"
"Three hours with no change."
"THREE HOURS?! That's pathetic! What, did you have somewhere to be? Couldn't wait? Where's the fire?"

I'm not so nice all of the time

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I appreciate that you shared your story. Yeah, it does make me very worried about childbearing (I just turned 26 yesterday. Nuligravita thus far) because it's something that I'm really looking forward to.

What I've read SO FAR has said that LEEPs and such shouldn't effect your fertility; they do, however, decrease the strength of your cervix which can become a problem later in pregnancy; The cervix can't always handle the weight of baby and amnio fluid and thus preterm labor becomes the issue.

But, we'll cross that road when we get to it. Thinking about it too much right now just gets me too sad!

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Aw, Tofu... I'm so sorry you didn't get the negative result you hoped for. I don't know what LEEP is... guess I'll have to go do some reading!

We're pulling for you! Let us know if there's anything we can do.

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code blog