question for the cc gals

Hi everyone,
I have not posted for some time now and just felt I wanted to put some of this behind me, if only for a little while, but now a get a call from my Dr.'s office saying that I have to come back for a repeat pap.
I finished treatments (chemo and rad) in October. All has been well except for some minor issues. I went to see my Dr. last week for a routine check up and he did a pap. The NP called today to tell me that the results came back and there are a-typical cells that are still present and that I have HPV. DUH! I KNOW I have HPV, and from my understanding, I will ALWAYS have it, right? So why is she telling me this and what does a-typical cells mean exactly? She told me not to worry and to just come back for a pap. I told her my next appt. was at the end of April and she didn't say I had to come in sooner. I am just a little scared and confused about this. Is it normal to have this not even 4 months after treatment? All she told me was that it wasn't even close to becoming cancer again and that this sometimes happens after treatment because the cells may be returning to normal but have not gotten there yet.
It's just a little disheartening is all. I was really hoping after all this I would have gotten my 1st normal pap. If anyone can shed some light, I would greatly appreciate it.
BTW, I feel bad posting this while I see others here have REAL issues and are going through so much more. I'm sorry to vent about this stupid issue but every little thing after cancer seems scary.
Thanks for listening.

dear sharon...i'm sorry you've had a scare. don't feel bad about posting...we're all here to share information and support each other thru good times and bad. i can't shed any light on your problem but i'll be thinking of you and hoping it's not too serious. let us know how it turns out.
colleen.

(((Sharon)))

It is disappointing to get something other than a normal PAP--especially when you've just finished being treated. You want to know that what you've gone through has been worth it--you want that reward that you've been anticipating! Life isn't very fair sometimes.

It's not uncommon at all to have an atypical PAP after radiation. Atypical means that the cells are not abnormal, they're just not quite normal either. I've had several atypical PAP's even without radiation (though my more recent ones have been normal). They make me crazy. So don't be disheartened. Rejoice that you don't have an abnormal PAP!

As far as the HPV, yes, you will always have HPV. But the test won't always pick up dormant HPV. So if you're test comes back positive, it just means the HPV is readable right now and they need to watch it closely and make sure it isn't causing any trouble. Hopefully in the future it will come back negative at some point. You'll still have it, but at least you'll know that it's not in an active state. I'm hoping that your immune system is kicking in and beating that HPV into submission!!!!

And don't feel bad about posting your information. This is not a hang-nail that you're posting about. This is a very real health issue and you have very legitimate reasons to feel frustrated and concerned and annoyed and angry and whatever else you want to feel. And we want to help you through that. So come anytime and tell us how you're doing and how you're feeling!

Thank you so much ladies for the replies. I do feel better knowing that having atypical cells does not spell disaster. Everyone here has been so helpful to me through all this and I cannot thank you enough

(((Sharon)))

Just something normal would be nice, wouldn't it? If I were you, I'd call the office back and ask specifically what type of a-typical cells you have, squamous or glandular. If it's squamous (ASCUS), then I'd feel comfortable waiting for a repeat PAP in April. If it's glandular (AGCUS), then I'd go ahead and make an appointment to discuss this and possible further testing with your doc. (Glandular cells are more closely correlated with cancer than squamous and therefore require more stringent follow-up.)


My first post-surgical PAP showed a-typical squamous cells, but the next one was perfectly fine. Hang in there, sweetie!



monami

I think I was also told that if you have gone through radiation that could effect the PAP results. Always better to be safe than sorry.

My first pap result was read as atypical cells consistent with radiation exposure. That is my new normal. Was yours different than that? Write back anytime.

Thinking of you,
I

Hi Sharon - You've received good info, so I've nothing to add except just to stop by and give a fellow cc-er a big