Public Cervix Post - Remember to Get Your Pap Smears and Mammograms

[we can do it]

[cally]

1. Oh absolutely. I am considered completely

cured from my breast cancer. I caught it very, very early. The doc saw something suspicious on a mamogram. I saw many women who may not live because the breast cancer was found so late. I'm grateful every day that I got my mamogram and had great doctors who saw it. Noone wants to find out bad news but it may save your life. Do it even though mamograms HURT.

[we can do it]

2. Just Went In for My Yearly Physical - Found A Small Lump In Breast

Getting diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound in 2 weeks....we suspect swollen lymph node due to a cold I have now, but want to make sure.

I am glad you are ok now...

[cally]

3. Let us know what happens

Send me a PM if you have any questions about all this or for support. I know more than I ever wanted to know. :hug: The diagnostic mamogram hurt for me but they can make it easier. I toughed it out on the first one. The second one, I told them it was extremely painful and they made it much better. Let them know if it hurts.

[we can do it]

4. I Will - Thanks for the Support

I've had a diagnostic mammogram & ultrasound before(negative)...didn't hurt too much, but I guess I've been lucky. I just lost my mom in 2004 to cancer(adenocarcinoma- most likely ovarian, POST-HYSTERECTOMY) - so I know what could be possible......I just want every one of us to take care and be watchful....

[Katherine Brengle]

5. Blech--I have an appointment next week--

I know this is important to do, but I really, really, really hate it.

[we can do it]

8. I Hear Ya - I Especially Hate It When Its Cold (Winter or Too Much AC)

Glad its over, luckily my doc is very kind.

[Katherine Brengle]

10. So is mine--when I went for my post-partum checkup, after my daughter

was born, she just gave me my pill precription and left me alone, lol. Very understanding and nice woman.

[MountainLaurel]

6. Love the subject line

:applause:

[ismnotwasm]

7. Shit

I guess I better go make an appointment. I've been putting it off, and I'm a nurse and should know better. (mentally kicks self)
Some of our patients we get on our floor get a form a post masectomy breast reconstructive surgery called a DIEP (Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator)It has advantages over the old "Tram flaps" because it saves the abdomen muscles. I work with these women quite often.
We concentrate so much on on the flaps themselves (they require hourly monitering)That sometimes we forget these women are also cancer survivors. Sometimes the cancer was caught in one breast, and these women will elect to have bilateral masectomies because of the type of cancer.

We also get patients who have had ovarian "tumor debulking" and other types of surgical cancer treatments, although we aren't a Oncology floor. And again, we treat the wounds, give the medications and sometimes forget that these are cancer suvivors, or trying to be. Some of what they go through and the grace they do it with humbles me completely.

And here I am, putting off my Pap. x(

[we can do it]

9. Thanks for Doing What You Do -

In case you don't hear it often enough.

[Solly Mack]

11. Recently had both - found a mass and bad spots on cervix

Had further testing(ultra-sound & colposcopy/biopsie)...mass is a cyst and bad spots NOT cancer


Please, everyone - Get it done!

[we can do it]

13. So, Everything's Ok For Now, I Hope?

[Solly Mack]

14. Yep - good to go.

I'll do pap smears every 6 months from now on but I rather twice a year and be safe than to risk the alternative.

I can have the cyst removed if I decide but I'm not sure yet what I'll do.

Thank you!

[Ayesha]

12. Question about Pap smears

Is it ever possible to find a physician who will use twilight anesthesia or something similar for the procedure? I have been unable to get a Pap smear for 12 years because my first one as a teenager was incredibly painful and psychologically traumatic. Not to get too graphic but I have something wrong and I can't be penetrated without pain and panic. Luckily as I am a lesbian it is not much of an issue for my sex life, but I want to get checked out for my health. Also, do I still need a Pap if I am negative for HPV? I don't know for sure but based on my sexual history there's a good chance I don't have it.

I plan on getting a mammogram this year regardless of whether I have a Pap or not, even though I am only 29, because of the history of breast cancer in my family. My mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother all died of the disease. My mother was only 55 when she died and that was after four bouts with cancer throughout her life. I also am an intern at a support organization for people with cancer and there are women there in their 30's who have breast cancer. It is never too early to get checked out!

[cally]

15. I don't have answers

but I would assume that there must be. I've read that some women do have problems/pain with pap smears and there are other techniques for them. I'm not that knowledgeable but I know I recall something about it. Have you tried looking at a good feminist bookstore. I suspect their on books on women's health that might have resources for you. Good luck and I'm sorry for the pain.

[geniph]

16. You need to find an understanding FEMALE GYN

and explain the problem to her, and find out from her what the options are. I will say, I've had the least traumatic experiences with PAP smears having them done by nurse practitioners rather than physicians. You need someone who will explain what's she's doing and why each step of the way, and who will take the time to make sure that you're okay with it.

Rather than anesthesia, what you probably need is anti-anxiety medication beforehand, but that determination should be made by a doctor or a nurse.

[bliss_eternal]

17. I agree--

I had a female ob last year that administered my PAP. I told my husband it felt like a drive by...she barely spoke to me, inserted gloved hand, felt around..done! It was very clinical and cold, she barely said three words to me in the process--she is SO fired! For lack of better terms, it felt like a mild assault. Others may be ok with her style. She just wasn't for me.

I'm used to my Pap being given by one that talks me through the process, has a sensitive touch, asks me questions about things in the process--which kind of takes my mind off of the fact that my ankles are in cold, metal stirrups and I'm spread eagle on a table with rough paper scratching my ass when they enivitably say, "...please, slide down." ;)

No one gets Paps every day. When you do have one, the person should at least treat it and you with some care and respect, or at least that's how I feel.

Some of the most compassionate, sensitive PAPs I've had have been with Nurse Practitioners. I also had one years ago with a midwife who was also very kind and gentle.

I'm probably too picky and rather high maintenance in this regard. lol.