Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Train Screeching to a Halt

There is a plan we all have in the back of our minds for how our life will unfold. I am still always surprised when the train derails and I have to regroup and face a new life challenge to get back on track.

I had an abnormal pap smear (which I have never had before) and it didn’t find cancer, but it DID find high-risk, suspicious cells. After a colposcopy and a very painful biopsy the cells were found to be concerning, which the doctors felt needed to be eliminated immediately to avoid the cells developing into cervical cancer.

Several weeks after healing from the colposcopy and biopsy, I had cryosurgery, which was one of the most painful and strange experiences of my life. The procedure basically freezes and kills all the cells in your cervix, a lot like freezing off a wart. Once all the skin is shed, I will go back every three months for a repeat pap smear.

After speaking with my primary care physician, oncologist and women’s health specialist, I realized that these high risk cells are not in anyway related to my breast cancer, but because of my history, they wanted to be aggressive and stop these cells in their tracks. (And, yes, I should be able to carry a child still if I choose to in the future.)

I hate always having these medical concerns popping up, but I sure am blessed to have great doctors who are so in touch with my body and professional care. So … I shall wait for my next test in three months in the hopes that my train is running smoothly and back on the track.