The New Intimacy

The big scary C word

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Contributor: Starkiller87 Starkiller87
Yesterday my family found out some upsetting news. My sister was diagnosed with cervical cancer. She hadnt had a pap in a few years, life got in the way and there wasnt time or money. Getting a pap a few weeks ago is now the only thing that saved her life. They say they can treat it without being too invasive and they are glad they caught it before it spread. They said she is young enough that she will grow back her tissue and be back on her feet in no time.

Why am I sharing this? Because Im angry, scared, etc. Of course, but not just that. I thought about how this could be anyone of us here on Eden. Ive read messages about girls who are scared to go to the gyno. My sister is young in her 20s, wasnt afraid, it just wasnt an immediate priority. If she had put it off longer she wouldnt have the fighting chance she has now.

I can not urge every female here to go get regular pap smears. Because you can feel 100% and you can think it wont happen to you. And it can be the 1 you miss that is the one that is most important.

Also Im not posting this for sympathy but because I feel strongly about getting the word out about how important gyno visits can be.
01/25/2012
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Contributor: Starkiller87 Starkiller87
link

Also I posted a link for those of you who dont know where a health center near you or think you cant afford one. Planned parenthood usually will work with you on a slide scale and some times you will pay no cost to get tests and be seen. So there is no excuse to not go.
01/25/2012
Contributor: JessCee JessCee
I love this!!! And I love you for posting it! It is so important to fit an annual pap into your schedule/budget. A year ago I got an abnormal pap and had to have some of my cervix removed... if I had been going regularly I wouldn't have had to have that much removed. But now I know, and I realize that it's something I need to stay on top of.
01/25/2012
Contributor: Starkiller87 Starkiller87
Quote:
Originally posted by JessCee
I love this!!! And I love you for posting it! It is so important to fit an annual pap into your schedule/budget. A year ago I got an abnormal pap and had to have some of my cervix removed... if I had been going regularly I wouldn't have had to ... more
Thats where they are starting with her as well. If she put it off longer I dont think shed have the chance she has now. Im scheduling an apt as soon as I can. Its a scary wake up call.

Also Im glad you are ok!!! Its good to know people get through this.
01/25/2012
Contributor: RonLee RonLee
Starkiller87, thank you for sharing. Let's hope that our sisters and brothers get those routine tests done.
My own spouse had a heads up that she should get checked out more thoroughly for lung cancer. She put it off for months then when she did the test was "inconclusive" and the doc said let's just watch it. She died back in 2010. She never did tell me that doc's name, as such I'm still a free man.
01/25/2012
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
Quote:
Originally posted by Starkiller87
Thats where they are starting with her as well. If she put it off longer I dont think shed have the chance she has now. Im scheduling an apt as soon as I can. Its a scary wake up call.

Also Im glad you are ok!!! Its good to know people get ... more
Indeed, it is good to know that people get through it. I admit I have been lax in going due to finances and other limitations but now I really want to set up an appointment, not just for that. I've got a few moles that should be checked out.

Thank you for posting this and I'm glad that your sister is going to do well. And it really does grow back. I've had the procedure done several times, myself.
01/25/2012
Contributor: wdanas wdanas
Thank you for sharing this. It's a good reminder that it is always better to be safe than sorry. Get the pap smear done.
01/25/2012
Contributor: Starkiller87 Starkiller87
Im so glad so many people are taking this to heart and knowing the importance.

I hope it can help one scared person get over there fear and go.
01/25/2012
Contributor: js250 js250
Thank you and my very best wishes for a speedy recovery for your sister. This is a very common problem here is the US due to rising medical costs and lack of jobs. I went through this many years ago before I had my hysterectomy and the tissue does grow back. If they can treat it by removing the tissue or whole cervix that is a good sign. Make sure the cancer is located cervically, mine was ovarian that had spread down into the cervix. Best of luck--get those tests done, ladies!! And gentlemen, get your prostrate checked as well!!
01/25/2012
Contributor: Starkiller87 Starkiller87
Quote:
Originally posted by js250
Thank you and my very best wishes for a speedy recovery for your sister. This is a very common problem here is the US due to rising medical costs and lack of jobs. I went through this many years ago before I had my hysterectomy and the tissue does ... more
Yes men please get checked as well. Its like 10 mins of your time to be seen by a doctor and it can save your life!!!
01/25/2012
Contributor: Ryuson Ryuson
(Review Program Mentor)
I'm seeing the OBGYN for the first time tomorrow and, while I am a bit nervous, this makes me feel much better about the whole thing. Thank you so much for sharing this with the community, she'll be in my prayers.
01/25/2012
Contributor: toxie m toxie m
Getting tested and being on top of things like this is so key. I've been having some issues for a few months now and the doctors keep telling me it's nothing - despite the fact that "leaving it alone" isn't doing a damn thing and the issue is getting worse. As RonLee's story tragically points out, people need to be assertive with their health care. I've been pretty forceful with getting gyno referrals because I refuse to end up as a statistic if the doctors are overlooking something serious.

Love to you and your family, Starkiller. I hope your sister makes a full and fast recovery.
01/25/2012
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Thoughts of health and healing for your sister, Starkiller.

You are absolutely right that this test, which has no side effects and only takes a few minutes of your time can save your life! Cervical cancer, when detected early, is a cancer that is nearly 100% curable.... wait too long and it can kill you.

She should be OK and the tissue should grow back. She'll always need to let doctors know she had the illness, especially when she decides to have kids (they may have to treat her cervix carefully during any pregnancies) but other than that, she should be OK. I'm glad she got tested in time!

Toxie m, PLEASE see an other doctor. Sometimes issues can be left alone and they do go away. But, if you feel that your condition needs to be taken more seriously, you have every right to see an other doctor and have it re-evaluated. Don't diss the first doctor when you see a new one, just let them know you were concerned and wanted a second opinion. Good luck.
01/25/2012
Contributor: EnChAnTiNg EnChAnTiNg
This is a fantastic post, and I am so glad you shared this story. I think you are absolutely right that many women think that skipping a gyno appointment will not be a big deal. This post really brings light to exactly how important it is to get checked, even if you do not feel it is necessary!

I pray for a speedy recovery for your sister!
01/25/2012
Contributor: toxie m toxie m
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
Thoughts of health and healing for your sister, Starkiller.

You are absolutely right that this test, which has no side effects and only takes a few minutes of your time can save your life! Cervical cancer, when detected early, is a cancer ... more
I'm on it, P-Gell, no worries. I've seen 4 doctors so far, hah (two at school, one at the free clinic, and my family doctor). I have a gyno appointment for March, but I'm trying to get in sooner. This has been ongoing since September, so yeah, I'm ready to get some actual answers. Maybe the 5th opinion will be the one who has something of use to tell/prescribe me (fingers crossed!).
01/25/2012
Contributor: Ms. Spice Ms. Spice
That's wonderful news that your sister is going to make a speedy recovery! I know it must be unpleasant, but seriously, such a good thing they caught it on time.

As for the gyno, going tomorrow! I'm a little nervous, but I think that's only healthy.
01/25/2012
Contributor: Starkiller87 Starkiller87
Im going home this week and staying for a bit for her surgery but Im booking mine as soon as I get back. It will help to have a clean bill of health to ease my mind.
01/25/2012
Contributor: levellc09 levellc09
A friend of mine got cervical cancer from untreated hpv. She had to have her cervix lasered and shaved to remove the cancer cells. Ever since I aev made sure to go to my local clinic and drag my sis and friends along. Thanks for posting this! Women get tested and examed ASAP!
01/26/2012
Contributor: PeachieClean PeachieClean
That's terrible! I hope she recovers quickly and everything. I'm glad that it's not too bad though! I'll be seeing the OBGYN for the first time pretty soon. I'm switching to an IUD rather than getting shots every 3 months and I'm kind of nervous. I have kind of an odd vagina (Still have my hymen, so lots of things hurt down there...) and I'm *not* looking forward to it. At least I've only gotta do it once! (The insertion, that is.) I'll be sure to get tested at the same time.
01/26/2012
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
Healing thoughts for your sister, Starkiller! I've got a close friend who had cervical cancer. The tissue was removed and then grew back just fine. She was good and sore for a bit, but no worse for wear over the long haul. I've had a few abnormal paps, but so do most women over their lifetime. Nothing serious though.

This is a great reminder to have those regular preventive screenings. And you're right, important for our guys to have their prostate checks when needed as well. We need our loved ones around as long as possible!

My mom had her melanoma skin cancer spotted by her OB/GYN when she was in for a routine checkup too. It was on her ankle, and her family practice doc said it didn't look like anything. Her OB/GYN knew better, and sent her straight away to a dermatologist. It was cancer, and the kind that doesn't respond to chemo or radiation - so if it metastasizes, it's a killer - it has to be surgically excised. It was caught at an early enough stage that she was fine... boy am I thankful for that GOOD OB/GYN and his keen eye! So regular OB/GYN checkups can do a lot of good, not even related to reproductive health!
01/26/2012
Contributor: Jesse-in-TX Jesse-in-TX
Our prayers and best wishes go to you and your sister. I am so happy that things turned up positive.

I am very glad you brought this up and shared that link. I will be pointing this out to my girlfriend when she is awake.

I also would like to know if there are any specific signs that may be precursors to potential problems. Obviously localized pain and possible blood in the urine are a couple, but I wonder if certain sensitivities could mean something.

For instance, she can only tolerate g-spot stimulation briefly before it gets painful for her and I am not really sure what that means, if anything. Could it be me? I don't do it very roughly...or could it be there might be a problem we should get looked at?
01/26/2012
Contributor: Starkiller87 Starkiller87
Quote:
Originally posted by Jesse-in-TX
Our prayers and best wishes go to you and your sister. I am so happy that things turned up positive.

I am very glad you brought this up and shared that link. I will be pointing this out to my girlfriend when she is awake.

I also would ... more
She was tired all the time but she thought it was just from a new job and just moving stuff like that.

She didnt have any pain during sex or anything like that. But Ive read that it can be a sign. But it can also be a sign of just a good old fashion yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. So she should get checked just to find out what is going on down there.
01/26/2012
Contributor: Melissa Smith Melissa Smith
01/26/2012
Contributor: Jesse-in-TX Jesse-in-TX
Will do Starkiller. She does get tired a LOT! She does have pain with sex, but only during certain activities...like fingering. She is also prone to yeast like infections....they aren't itchy or painful, but she gets the discharge a bit.
01/27/2012