Abnormal Pap smear on my 2nd post chemo check up

It is not unusual to get an abnormal PAP smear.  It is not always cancer. There can be other reasons for it to come back that way.  I know you are worried, that is so natural, but don't panic.  Maybe this will give you a reason or why you have been having so much pain.  There could be something that your dr. couldn't see  that is the cause of the pain.  

Hugs and prayers coming your way. Lou Ann

Double Whammy said:

A letter? In the mail?

I know you're worried, but I would think if they were really worried, they would have at least called - not send a flippin' letter!  That's just not even nice.  Give them a piece of your mind whenever you get in touch with them.  Try to take one day at a time and please please let us know as soon as you touch base with them.  As LouAnn says, Pap smears can be abnormal for many reasons.  And besides, I've heard they aren't very reliable in picking up a recurrence.   I know your mind travels to the dark side because mine would too.   It's just been too recent that you endured chemo and radiation - all to fresh in your mind. 

Best,

Suzanne

abnormal paps since treatment.  Doc not concerned.  They explained it to my satisfaction.  Try not to worry.  I agree with Suzanne that they could and should handle it better.  You tell them.

Dear Annabella:

It is not unusual that you got an abnormal pap smear especially since you have had radiation.    For one year, I got two back to back abnormal pap smears and they weren't too concerned about it.  This was just last year and many years after my treatment!    Your radiologist/onc will tell you that this happens.

Other reasons to get abnormal pap smears besides having radiation treatment is if you use any type of vaginal creams 48 hours prior to your pap smear.

I know how upsetting this can be when something says abnormal 

Hang in there!

Annabella,

The last time I saw my gyn/onc he said he was stopping doing the pap smear.  He said that many, many times the smear came back as not enough cells because of the effects of internal radiation.  That it was just more of a hassle for everybody than a good diagnostic tool. 

He also said that, in all his years as a gyn/onc, only once has he diagnosed a recurrence with a pap.  All other times there was bleeding that he could see that looked suspicious, then the pap confirmed what he saw. 

I wouldn't worry a bit.  Sorry I didn't see this post sooner!

Lisa

Annabella Rose said:

Thank you Connie and Lisa,

I am so Thankful for your replys! You all have made this trial so much easer. After reading your posts, I feel I can enjoy the Christmas season not wondering if the cancer is back. For now I have some peace. When I have my doctor visit and go through another Pap smear, I'll deal with the matter further. I think the way my doctor and his staff handle the patients concerns are inconsiderate and with smile on their face.

I agree, Annabella.  The way your medical team handled this is inexcusable and should be brought to their attention.  One of our local hospitals advertises on tv that they don't make you go through unnecessary waiting so it's not like they don't know what they're doing to people.  They're all chasing the same dollar - OURS!  I am lucky in that my team gets back to me the same day and is sensitive to my feelings. 

I am so glad your mind was given some peace.

Love,

Eldri

Annabella Rose said:

I found out today my second Pap smear came back abnormal

I called again this morning to find out if my second pap smear came back and said yes, and it's again abnormal. The nurse said the doctor is sending me for a pet scan to see if it shows any signs of cancer, yikes!

the nurse said not to worry, they just have to make sure. That's what they have told every step of the way in this journey and it usually turns out cancer. I hope it dosen't again. My husband has not been the same since the bout of cancer I finished up this past spring. He is showing signs of depression so bad that it's turning into a type of dementia. I have to keep a close watch on him because he is starting to forget so many normal activitys that it could be dangous. Like forgetting how to use the microwave and burning up a pretzel causing smoke and a horrible smell that woke me up at 1:00 in the morning. He just said he dosen't know why.

Annabella.   Since the paper came back abnormal did they then test it for hpv?    I had two back to back abnormal paPs.   If it is abnormal  send it in for further testing of HPV.    My first one the HPV was negative but the second abnormal pap came back positive for one or more of the high grade HPV.   but the docs didn't seen too concern about it

Annabella Rose said:

I found out today my second Pap smear came back abnormal

I called again this morning to find out if my second pap smear came back and said yes, and it's again abnormal. The nurse said the doctor is sending me for a pet scan to see if it shows any signs of cancer, yikes!

the nurse said not to worry, they just have to make sure. That's what they have told every step of the way in this journey and it usually turns out cancer. I hope it dosen't again. My husband has not been the same since the bout of cancer I finished up this past spring. He is showing signs of depression so bad that it's turning into a type of dementia. I have to keep a close watch on him because he is starting to forget so many normal activitys that it could be dangous. Like forgetting how to use the microwave and burning up a pretzel causing smoke and a horrible smell that woke me up at 1:00 in the morning. He just said he dosen't know why.

When I had an abnormal pap a year after surgery my doctor did  a biopsy. It did turn out to be cancer but was very small and my doctors were able to treat it first by laser ablation and then with radiation. This was in the summer of 2013 and I have been NED since those treatments.  Good luck to you.  Sue

Abbycat2 said:

Annabelle, I am hoping for the best for you.

Forgive my ignorance, but how is it possible to have a pap test when a woman no longer has a cervix? I no longer have one and it is my limited understanding that pap tests are used to assess cervical cancer.  I have not had one since I lost most of my female parts.

Cathy

Cathy, I am so amused by the inconsistencies with all our treatments and follow up.  WTH?!  Right?  I have PaP tests every time.  Do to the brachytherapy it isn't always comfortable, but I know there are others going through worse.  (I think they are looking for atypical cells)

Annabella Rose said:

I am confused by all this...

Now I'm waiting to get the script for the pet scan in the mail and then I have to call and make an appointment. Then waiting again to get to the doctors to get the test results because my doctor dosen't give test results from pet scans over the phone. The waiting is a big cause of the stress we are all going through.

So sorry you have to go through all of this.  Waiting is the hardest part of this sometimes.  For me, once I know exactly what's going on my mind can start planning and I settle down.  I am sorry your husband is having such a hard time,  I do think that being a caregiver is a very hard path to be on.  You are both in my prayers, Lou Ann