I’d regard myself as a pretty lucky person. My life has been relatively simple & of course I’ve had some up’s & down’s but all in all, it’s been pretty smooth sailing.
However recently I had a scare which opened my eyes in a way that I never expected & this morning had my first ever operation (so sorry if I sound drunk or have made spelling mistakes…oramorph has knocked me out!).
In June I had my first ever smear test after turning 25 in the December before. I actually had to call my GP 3x to chase this as I hadn’t received an appointment when many of my other friends had the procedure done straight after their 25th birthday. I was told that I should have been called but they’d chase it.
The smear obviously wasn’t the most pleasant experience but I figured it was a couple of minutes & it’s a routine thing that us ladies have to endure every 3 years as a part of life (along with periods, childbirth, the menopause & countless other things….men don’t know how easy they’ve got it!). After having two children, my modesty definitely isn’t as intact as it once was which made it easier to get my ‘foofoo’ as Elsa calls it, examined.
After this appointment I forgot all about it, that was until a letter landed through my letterbox stating that they had found ‘low grade dyskaryosis’ (aka abnormal cell changes to you & I) as well as the HPV virus. I’d been booked in for a biopsy in the colposcopy department of my local hospital.
I still didn’t think much of it, but was pretty horrified at having to have my foofoo poked & prodded after a pretty horrific stitching experience after I had Elsa which left me traumatised for life.
On 25th July, I had the biopsy taken which didn’t hurt a bit. The consultant showed me the screen where you could see white patches around my cervix which were the abnormal cells but basically told me not to worry about it & I probably wouldn’t need any treatment as it was so minor. I’d get results back in 4 weeks. I went away feeling put at ease & forgot all about it.
On Friday 5th August, 3 letters came through my letterbox which turned my overthinking, anxious self into overdrive. That weekend was hell on earth & I struggled to function.
The first letter said that my biopsy had indicated CIN3 precancerous cells. CIN ranges from 1 to 3, with 3 being the highest stage before it then led on to ‘official’ cervical cancer.
The second letter stated that I had an appointment on 12th August for a pre-op assessment.
The third letter stated that I’d been booked in for a LLETZ procedure under general anasthetic on 25th August.
After Googling for 3 days straight & convincing myself that I was basically going to die, I found out that usually the LLETZ procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, not general, which terrified me.
I also overthought everything & put 2+2 together to say that maybe I’d had this for years hence having my two littles ridiculously quickly (Elsa was 45 minutes & Rory just 6 minutes!),
It wasn’t until I finally got to speak to my consultant after what felt like a hundred phone calls 10 days later, that I was told that it would be more comfortable for myself & easier for the surgeon due to the position of the cells which weren’t as accessible as the ‘usual’.
The two week wait was pure hell. I’d go through bouts of bursting into tears & being convinced that something was horrifically wrong. Other times I’d feel OK & the rational side of me would say how worrying was pointless & everything was out of my hands.
This morning I was admitted to hospital & went under general anaesthetic which I was SO anxious about (which probably came in handy they put me first on the theatre list because I was crying & probably upsetting other patients!), but it was actually not that bad. I came round in quite a lot of pain which I can only describe as severe period pains & cramping.
After nearly passing out on the way to the car after being discharged & my blood pressure plummeting, I was readmitted & the consultant came to check me over & kept me in for a bit longer. It was explained that due to the shape of my cervix & the large area that the operation was very ‘challenging’ & it had to have lots of stitches as I was a ‘bleeder’. He admitted that due to the complexity, he was unsure if they’d managed to remove everything they should have & so I may have to undergo the operation again.
The results from my LLETZ procedure will take a few weeks to come back to confirm if all cells were removed & hopefully confirming that it was just PRE-cancerous cells & hadn’t developed further than that.
I can’t even tell you how this experience has changed my life. I have always been relatively healthy (although I could definitely do with losing a few pounds!), but I realised it’s true what they say about health being the most important thing in the world. I’ll be holding my two beautiful children that little bit tighter & really breath in the fresh air. I’m so grateful that something that could have been potentially deadly has been identified & treated.
Now, you may wonder why I’m telling you about this & not talking about interiors. I’m not one to lecture, but please please please, if you are overdue a smear test then please pick up the phone right now & call your surgery. It’s a simple 5 minutes that could potentially save your life. If this post can persuade just one person to book in for a smear then I’d be delighted!
Love, Charlotte x
Hi Charlotte, good to hear you'e at this stage of it now. I just turned 25 and had a similar experience in the last few months with the same type of treatment you had, it was so terrifying, I think the language used in the letters sent me in a panic. But even though it's not the most pleasant experience it cuts the risk of anything serious happening in the future by an incredible amount which, if there has to be a positive side, is that!:-) it's so important that everyone gets checked because I honestly thought I would get results back that said nothing to worry about, but you never know what's going on inside you! It's so good to hear people like you talk openly about their experiences to encourage others to look after their health. Hope you spend the next few days resting and feeling a bit better xx
So sorry you're having to go through this recently lovely. Thinking positive for your results in a few weeks. I am yet to have a smear test and keep on putting it off but really should book one x
I'm a fierce believer that they should bring the age of smears come down. It's ridiculous that so many 25 or under go through this. I hope your recovery is quick and there are no further complications.
Glad you're OK! Here in Australia they make you have a smear every two years on the dot from a young age. If reading your post makes just one person book an appointment, you could have saved a life! x
I am also awaiting results for LLETZ procedure having just turned 25. I realise now too the importance of having the smear test. It's great your raising awareness I hope you feel better soon xx
I totally agree – they really should give more explanation behind the letters to prevent people doing the dreaded Google & convincing themselves of the worst! I never ever in a million years thought my smear would come back abnormal but it just goes to show that no matter how much we think 'it'll never happen to me', it has to happen to somebody! xx
SO many people put it off – you definitely aren't the only one but after birth it's an absolute walk in the path & takes a couple of minutes. So glad to hear you're back blogging lovely xx
I couldn't agree more & once I've recovered from this I'll be making it my mission to campaign to bring the age down. I'm pretty sure that it's 20 in Wales which seems much better especially considering how people are having sex much earlier nowadays plus having more sexual partners too which raises the risks xx
The UK could definitely learn a lot from Australia with the smear system – it's one of those things that if left can & will develop so is vital to catch early. I'm so overwhelmed by the lovely comments/messages I've had so far & how many people I've encouraged to book an appointment so fingers crossed I've helped somebody that may otherwise have ignored that letter 🙂 xx
Ahh Sarah, fingers crossed to you – let's hope we both get the all clear & can put this down to experience. Thinking of you xx
Exact same thing happened to me at 25. CIN3 the procedure to remove and I was exactly the same as you not worried about it all one bit…until I got that letter explaining how CIN3 was the stage before cancer. At this point I hadn't had children and after worrying about the cancer I then worried what would happen to clear it and would it ruin my chances to have children. Thankfully it doesn't and I now have a wonderful son. It's so so important to have smears I really think the age should be reduced back down to 19 like it used to be.
I completely agree – 25 is not soon enough considering they say it takes years to develop but so many 25 year olds are being diagnosed with CIN3 or CC. So glad to hear you had an uncomplicated pregnancy – my surgeon told me if I want to have any more children (which I don't!) then I'd have to be closely monitored & probably have a cervical stitch due to risk of miscarriage/prem birth…if I hadn't finished my family then I'd have been in pieces at that news! Xx
I am just a couple of months away from turning 25, I am definately going to be calling the doctors on Tuesday to get my appointment booked.. Hope you are recovering well.. Xxxx
I had annual smear test done from age 30 onwards because of pre-cancerous cells. Nothing untoward happened and I was glad to have the annual checks "just in case". in my late 50s (after the menopause) I had little bleeds and small polips were removed – no problems again. But the day a specialist said that this time the polyps were pre-cancerous it took me all of ONE second to reply that he could remove all the plumbing as I wouldn't be needing it any more. It was done successfully, and I don't regret the decision. Girls, have those smear tests done. Two minutes of indignity could save your lives!
Wow so glad your ok, it's so scary when that letter comes through the door and says abnormal cells, I had it twice now and both times was absolutely petrified at the outcome. Thankfully it's been ok both times but I can't stress enough how important smer tests are, the age limit should def be 19 yrs and I don't see why it can't be done at this age. Xxx
The very reason they upped the age was to stop this happening to more people. Lots of young girls in their late teens/ early twenties had unnecessary procedures on abnormal cells which wouldn't have been there had they waited until 25+ (as the cervix goes through lots of changes with HPV etc when you're young, but would never turn into a proper problem).
Whilst it does mean that rarely a woman younger than 25 may have cervical cancer missed, it's scientifically balanced in terms of cost and unnecessary procedures and stress that they decided to up the age.
Ps – I hope your recovery is quick! X
I can totally related to your post. I was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer (stage 1) two weeks ago. I'm 34 yrs old and no kids. This have been a hell of a month and will continue. In two weeks, I'll have my very first surgery, a hysterectomy to help me get rid of this damn cancer. Wish you the best!
Your story sounds just like mine! CIN3 and I also had to go under general anaesthetic due to the location of the cells. It was my first time ever under anaesthetic! It was such a worrying time but thankfully all was ok. I'm on a yearly check now. To be honest I don't find smears the worst and I really don't understand why some women avoid them…Yes leave your dignity at the door but what's a few minutes discomfort when you think of the alternative. I often think of poor Jade Goody and her two beautiful wee boys and remind myself of what could happen if I don't keep up with my regular checkups. I hope you recover well my lovely and you get your all clear very soon. Xxx Siobhan @ Bonnie & Bumble xx
Your story sounds just like mine! CIN3 and I also had to go under general anaesthetic due to the location of the cells. It was my first time ever under anaesthetic! It was such a worrying time but thankfully all was ok. I'm on a yearly check now. To be honest I don't find smears the worst and I really don't understand why some women avoid them…Yes leave your dignity at the door but what's a few minutes discomfort when you think of the alternative. I often think of poor Jade Goody and her two beautiful wee boys and remind myself of what could happen if I don't keep up with my regular checkups. I hope you recover well my lovely and you get your all clear very soon. Xxx Siobhan @ Bonnie & Bumble xx
Your story sounds just like mine! CIN3 and I also had to go under general anaesthetic due to the location of the cells. It was my first time ever under anaesthetic! It was such a worrying time but thankfully all was ok. I'm on a yearly check now. To be honest I don't find smears the worst and I really don't understand why some women avoid them…Yes leave your dignity at the door but what's a few minutes discomfort when you think of the alternative. I often think of poor Jade Goody and her two beautiful wee boys and remind myself of what could happen if I don't keep up with my regular checkups. I hope you recover well my lovely and you get your all clear very soon. Xxx Siobhan @ Bonnie & Bumble xx
Oh Siobhan, sorry to hear you've been through this rubbish too! You would have been the perfect person to talk too a few weeks ago when I was convinced I was basically going to die. After doing a bit of research about Jade Goody I found out she had a few abnormal smear results (first one aged 16 I think) & then decided to ignore her letter which told her they'd returned yet again as she'd had treatment (I think LLETZ) done a few times. If only she'd listened…xx
I'm so sorry to hear that – it is such a scary situation & nobody can ease that but just know that it's an extremely curable cancer luckily. I hope your hysterectomy goes well next week, please do let me know how you get on & if you'd ever like to talk. Sending lots of love & hugs xx
So with you on that Gem – I think it's because before aged 25 your cervix goes through lots of changes & can give off abnormal results unnecessarily BUT I think it's worth that for the cases that can be caught earlier & prevented from progressing xx
I feel the same way but aged 25…I've had my two beautiful children, thank god, & feel like my families complete so if the worst does happen then I'll be waving goodbye to my womb as a precaution xx
Hi Lacey, oh that's amazing news! Sure it'll come back absolutely fine so don't let me results scare you xx
Hi Charlotte, so sorry to read about what you've been through. As a mum any scares like this are definitely amplified as our first instinct is to protect and be with our children.
I had a smear test last week and today received a letter saying that I have high grade (severe) dskaryosis and need to have a colposcopy. Reading your story has made me feel less alone and more positive. Thank you for sharing with us, smear tests really are so important!
Oh Samantha – so sorry to hear that BUT just think that you've done the best thing by going for a smear. I've received so many messages from ladies who have been overdue & booked after seeing my story, then finding out they've got abnormal cells too…it's made me realise how common it can be so it's even more important to go regularly. Fingers crossed for you with the colposcopy & let me know if you need to talk – always here xx