Precervical cancer

So yesterday I told you that I had the last step of precancer in the cervical cancer plan. So I guess I should give you a tad but of back ground before we get into the most recent adventure. Several years ago and throughout grad school I had several abnormal Pap smears. I looked back at my results and to the best of my knowledge they were ascus cells which is code for these cells are not normal but we don't know how or why.

On my birthday I found out that I had another abnormal test and needed to have something called a colposcopy. This is a minorly invasive biopsy, the afternoon is shot but no long term effects. The results of this colposcopy were more troubling than normal and it was recommended that I have a leep procedure. I told my doc to stuff it and I would deal with this after my defense and move. I have no idea if that was the right thing to do but I did it.

In Dallas I found a new doc, who is amazing, and when I met with her we repeated the colposcopy. These results were explained in detail to me, I have CIN2, CIN3, and CIS cells. CIN3 and cis will definitely turn into cervical cancer if left alone. So I ask what we should do, it turns out that the way my cells spread all over my cervix made it difficult to remove easily so I needed a cold knife biopsy. I will explain this is greater detail later but let's just say she was going to remove a significant portion of my cervix with a scalpel. This was the surgery that I had about a month ago and since I couldn't find much info about this online I will try to detail my experience without grossing anyone out.

The next step is my one month follow up which is tomorrow. I am a little nervous since I don't know the results yet, I am trying to be hopeful and at the same time realize that bad news could still be coming. I am ready for results watch 2012 to be over, I just want to know one way or the other. It has been a crazy few weeks.

I have been hesitant to share this story but I think this is more common that women like to admit. I also think we are taught to never talk about our personal business (ie our lady bits) so when something goes wrong we don't reach out to other women. I am going to try and share the ups and downs of this story so that if you know someone in this story you know what to say. I hope that my story shows you that this is not the end of the world as a diagnosis but just another step in the grand scheme of things. I am so ready to know the results...