Introducing myself

Hello ladies and gents, Just joined after much reading and "lurking". Like many fortunate folk, I had no reason to delve deeply into the subject of cancer until now. I have very limited family / friend support but I do like to vent and be 100% educated on a subject when it enters my life. A control freak most definitely. It's a shame none of us can control THIS aspect of life. I am 4 weeks post- cervical biopsy waiting for results. Had HPV for years, never cleared it. I have severe dysplasia. I know there is little / no evidence of familial link but co-incidentally, my mother and mother's mother both had extensive and successful colposcopy treatment. 

I am 47; morbidly obese; ex-smoker and a few endocrinological problems.

Routine smear revealed high-grade dysplasia. Symptoms which may or may not be related are: chronic lower back / left flank pain; months of irregular bleeding and spotting most of the time and crushing fatigue.

I'm trying to keep busy and not dwell on the waiting for results but find myself getting a bit jumpy now after 4 weeks. Finding it difficult to concentrate and my memory has gone to hell. I think on some level, my brain is numbing itself.

All of you who are affected, directly or indirectly, you have my warmest regards and admiration. I hope to have good news soon but will never forget this particular type of worry. xxxx

  • Hello Skyemaiden

    I'm sorry to hear that your recent cervical screening results showed some abnormal cell changes and that HPV is still present. It's understandable that you're feeling concerned about the results of your biopsies. 

    We know that for many people this period of uncertainty and waiting can be difficult. Sometimes it can help to talk through your concerns and I wondered if you might find it useful to chat with our team of nurses. They're available Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    Alternatively, there's lots of information available on the Jo's Trust website and they have a Helpline that you can call for support and information. 

    I hope that you don't have to wait too long for your results and the team is able to offer you some advice and reassurance. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Hi Jenn,

    Thank you so much for your reply and advice. I'm touched but unsurprised by your empathy.This forum does seem to be an incredibly supportive environment and I'm so glad I felt able to say something, even if it turns out not to be invasive cancer. If I am that fortunate, I will still have had an opportunity for me to understand what it can be like for others waiting for first results.

    I'll give the nurses a call later once my mind-starting coffee kicks in. 

    Sending love and support to everyone on here.

    Skyemaiden. xx

  • Hi Skyemaiden

    The waiting for results is always a very testing time, so I hope you don't have too much longer to go before you hear, and that the results are good for you. Your symptoms may or may not be connected but having been through cervical cancer myself I can appreciate your concern. 
     

    Hope you are able to come back and post positive news, but if there's an issue, please feel free to come back with any questions. I I wish you all the best. xx

  • Thanks Minska,

    I sincerely hope you are through your ordeal and are keeping very well. 

    Thank you for the validation. I jumped when the post arrived but nothing yet. Of course, being a lifelong over-thinker, I am wondering if the time is normal etc but after looking into the pathology process, I can see why it takes time. 

    I hope I can be as strong as the folk on here.

    Much love. xx

  • The waiting time for pathology results has definitely increased since covid, and the backlogs can be quite large in some areas, so your wait time from what I have seen recently seems quite "normal" these days unfortunately. 
     

    Hopefully there will be nothing seriously wrong, and you just have dysplasia which can be easily treated and isn't cancer. But I think when something does turn out to be more serious, you just get on with it because you have to, and certainly I found an inner strength I wasn't even aware of! But don't rush ahead and think it's anything bad yet! xx