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BlissC:
Well the good news is I got the results back of the latest one a couple of weeks ago, and thankfully everything's normal. A few years back I kept getting abnormal results back - not abnormal enough for them to be very concerned, but enough to keep a close eye on me. I had about 4 years when I was having to have smear tests every 6 months (not fun!). Eventually the gynae doc decided that after 4 years of abnormal smears they'd got to do loop diathermy (though because of all my other medical problems as well, they decided that rather than do it under local anaesthetic, they'd do it under GA). Fortunately, that did the trick, and never was I more relieved than when they said I could go back on the normal 3 yearly recall programme!
As my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer 8 years ago, and my grandma (her mum) died of breast cancer when I was only five years old, and both my other grandma and my mum ended up needing hysterectomies, I'm kinda paranoid about smear tests.
I've got to the point though now where having the actual test itself doesn't bother me. After so many over the past 10 years, and then seeing a urologist on and off for 2-3 years as well, I just think 'what's another one?' :laugh:
delalluvia:
--- Quote from: BlissC on November 04, 2008, 06:22:31 pm ---Well the good news is I got the results back of the latest one a couple of weeks ago, and thankfully everything's normal. A few years back I kept getting abnormal results back - not abnormal enough for them to be very concerned, but enough to keep a close eye on me. I had about 4 years when I was having to have smear tests every 6 months (not fun!). Eventually the gynae doc decided that after 4 years of abnormal smears they'd got to do loop diathermy (though because of all my other medical problems as well, they decided that rather than do it under local anaesthetic, they'd do it under GA). Fortunately, that did the trick, and never was I more relieved than when they said I could go back on the normal 3 yearly recall programme!
As my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer 8 years ago, and my grandma (her mum) died of breast cancer when I was only five years old, and both my other grandma and my mum ended up needing hysterectomies, I'm kinda paranoid about smear tests.
I've got to the point though now where having the actual test itself doesn't bother me. After so many over the past 10 years, and then seeing a urologist on and off for 2-3 years as well, I just think 'what's another one?' :laugh:
--- End quote ---
Definitely know how you feel. My grandmother had cervical cancer, my mother and now sister have breast cancer, and this year I am at the age my sister was when she came down with breast cancer.
I was a little paranoid. Then my CBCs were high on my blood work. They suggested I come back in two weeks and be re-tested. Then I had gone to a new place that has the latest technology less-squishier digital mammogram equipment. A week later, instead of results, I get a letter asking for my previous records so they can 'compare' this year's and last year's scans.
I instantly freeze. Why do they want to compare the two? Did they find something fishy?
A week later, still no word, I call my doctor and she says they just sent the scans to the new place that day. A week later, still no word, I call the mammogram place (note, it's been 3 weeks now waiting for the results) and they clear me.
Whew!!
I get a letter confirming that I'm good for another year the next day. AND my 2nd blood work testing also came back normal.
Yep, definitely know how you feel. :P
BlissC:
I know what you mean. They either worry you by sending letters that don't explain why they're wanting whatever, or leave you waiting ages for results. I regularly used to get letters about the smear tests saying to go back in 6 months (this was at the start of it before they had me on a 6 monthly recall programme and I knew why), but with no explanation of why. Or sometimes ones saying I needed to make an appointment for another one, but again with no explanation why (it usually turned out to be that it was an insufficient sample, or they'd got the wrong type of cells). Then when I rang up to find out why, they'd come up with the standard "we can tell you anything over the phone!" *sigh* ::)
Here in the UK they start the regular NHS mammogram screening programme when you get to fifty, and you get recalled every 3 years (unless there's any doubt about a previous mammogram, and then they recall in 1 year). Due to my family history though they've said they've start me on the screening programme when I turn 40, though I've already had two when I've had problems in the past and though my GP didn't think it was anything to worry about, erred on the side of caution and sent me to get checked out anyway. Apparently because breast tissue in women under 40 is more dense, it's harder to see any changes, and they get more false positives, plus the majority of breast cancers occur in old women. There's an awful lot of debate though about whether screening should start earlier, and whether the recall programme should be annual, but largely with the NHS they argue it's not cost effective to screen everyone annually (unless they're at particular risk) for the small increase in cancers picked up. ::)
--- Quote from: delalluvia on November 07, 2008, 08:43:48 pm ---I had gone to a new place that has the latest technology less-squishier digital mammogram place.
--- End quote ---
I can understand from the technical point of view of taking x-rays, why the need for the squishing, but only a guy could have come up with a design for a machine that needs to squish quite so much!
This cartoon always makes me laugh. :laugh:
BelAir:
--- Quote from: BlissC on November 08, 2008, 08:47:46 am ---
This cartoon always makes me laugh. :laugh:
--- End quote ---
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
CellarDweller:
--- Quote from: LauraGigs on October 30, 2008, 04:10:04 am ---And that they happen to have an uncommonly cold tongue . . . :P
--- End quote ---
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