Help for a hystersister's sister

Hi everyone,

This site has been my lifeline since I had a TAH/BSO 8 weeks ago for endo, ovarian cysts etc and now I need your help for my younger sister (she's 38).
Her gp called her in to the office yesterday after having an abnormal smear test result and now she has to have a colposcopy and possibly a biopsy in 2½ weeks.
Although she is trying not to worry (panic!) as this is early stages yet, it is hard not knowing what to expect, especially after hearing the scary words 'possibly cancerous cells'. She hardly slept at all last night and is getting some tablets today to help with that, but I know how helpful the Post-op posts have been for me lately and now I hope that some of you could share your experiences with us and maybe help put her mind at rest a bit.
Thanks so much,
Sue.

Hi Sue,

I'm sorry your sister got the bad news and it's pretty normal to feel the panic set in. I've had 2 bouts with an abnormal pap. Back in '89 I got the same call as your sister. I had a colposcopy and the dr said he expects a problem because he saw something. I then had a Cone Biopsy done (out-patient under general). That is both a diagnostic test and possibly a treatment. They take out a cone-shaped piece of tissue and hope to "grab" the bad tissue. It worked for me in '89, and my paps were normal for 10 yrs.

In '99 I again had a abnormal pap and we went through the same procedures. This one was a bit more difficult because the tests came back with different results. The first pap after the Cone Biopsy came back abnormal again. By this time I was 54 and post-menopausal, so he suggested the hyst. I was ready and agreed to the TAH/BSO. It took from Nov '99 to Sept '00 before he suggested the hyst. He suggested I have it within the next 3 months. The surgical path report showed a lesion high in the cervix...CIN3.

I hope your sister has a good outcome.

No matter how long ago I were told the news, it is a feeling that I won't forget. The best thing that you can do for your sister is to let her get her feelings out. She has so much running through her mind that she feels like she is having a nightmare. Let her cry or scream or whatever she needs to do...just be there for her. IF she wants to talk, listen, if she wants to stay quiet, then hold her hand. THis is all early for her, so she needs to try to keep busy and pray that everything will turn out fine and she was worrying for nothing. Please keep us posted!!

Sue, Tell her not to panic. Read some of the cancer concern threads for more info.
I am 39 and will be having a TAH on June 12 to put an end to what has been 10-12 years of abnormal paps, pre-cancerous cells on cervix,in vagina ,etc. I am ready for it as I am exhausted. But often abnormal paps re-tested come back all clear or some simple lasering can be done and these things can be kept at bay forever,or for years depending on the person. I wasn't that lucky. Does she know if she has HPV or not? That is a common problem now taht is causing pre-cancerous situations in thousands of women. Have her find this out and if so, read up on it. At any point you can contact me further onit. I would be very interested to hear of her test results. Wish her a big heap of good wishes!
Regards, Karen
asisk@mindspring.com

Hi, Sue!

It's very frightening to be told you need a biopsy for possibly cancerous cells. I ran around in a constant fit of nerves every time I had an abnormal PAP. I've had a long battle with it and many procedures, but also had many years where everything came back looking fine. I wish your sister well, and will remember her in my prayers. Lots of us have our full histories here--you can always do a search to see what we've been up to.

Thanks so much for your quick replies everyone. I really appreciate your help and I'm taking your advice.
I have been reading other posts on this site also doing a bit more research on the net and feel much more positive about things. My sister doesn't have internet access so I will be sure to pass all this along to her and I will print out your reassuring replies to show her, that way she can keep them and read them whenever she feels the need.
We have always been very close and she was great while I was having problems and during my recovery so now it's my opportunity to be there for her too.
Sometimes she wants to talk, talk, talk and at other times I just try to help her keep her mind off it, but I'm following her lead and whatever she wants I hope I can help.
Thank you all for your wisdom which gives me the strength to be able to help one of the most special people in my life. Here's hoping the next few weeks pass quickly, I will pass on the results of the test,
Thanks a million all of you,
Sue.

Hello Sue, wishing your sister good luck with her colposcopy and biopsy. I won't explain my history , way too long but if you search under my name , you can read up on it. It is indeed scary whenever an abnormal pap comes back but when caught early the abnormalities can be so easily treated. Keep us updated take care xx

I had abnormal paps since I was about 22. It depended on my cycle as to whether or not they came back abnormal, which puzzled my Dr. at the time. I changed GYNs and I had another round of abnormal paps in my 40`s...followed by a biopsy which came back normal.

Please tell her not to panic....just wait and see. It IS very scary...but doesn`t mean she has cancer. It may just be the testing fluids which don`t register correctly with her body fluids, which is what my problem turned out to be.

And please send along a few big hugs from us.

{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}

kaatie