Hi everyone,

I hope it's OK for me to post this on this forum but I wanted to come on and share my own story about abnormal smesr test results. I found myself on a few similar topics whilst doing my own research and know how important hearing stories with a happy ending can be!

So I am 25 and in March 2021 went for my first ever smear test. It was simply routine in my mind. I've never had any issues 'down there' and booked it because I knew it was the right thing to do now I was 25, not because I thought there were any issues. From the minute I left the surgery after having my smear I didn't give it a second thought. I never once thought about what the results would be.

About 5 weeks later I received the results and it was like I'd had the rug pulled from under me. High Grade Dyskariosis (Severe) and HPV. I had absolutley no idea what this even meant so of course I headed straight for Google where I was met with a barrage of info. The next day I got my colposcopy appointment which was in 10 days time. Those 10 days were some of the worst of my life. I hit rock bottom. Couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, couldn't stop crying, couldn't stop googling!! In my mind I'd been given a death sentence. I had cancer and I was going to die and it didn't matter what anyone else said or what I read, nothing could change my mind.

The day of my colposcopy appointment came (luckily it was a 9.30am appointment so no waiting aroud all day!). From the minute I walked into the room I was reassured. My colposcopist if anything was a little dismissive, saying she see's hundreds of these and they're really not anything to worry about.

I had the colposcopy and lletz at the same time. It was a little uncomfortable and the anesthetic is a sharp pain but it was nothing that wasn't bearable. There were 3 other nurses in the room who were chatting away to me about summer plans, our favourite local bars etc which really helped to take my mind of it. The whole procedure, colposcopy and Lletz took around 10-15 minutes. They do give you adrenaline so be prepared for shaky legs...this is completley normal!

After the procedure I asked 'do I have cancer' and the nurse almost laughed! She reassured me that whilst she could never say never she was confident I was all fine and that it's incredibly rare to find a cancer at this stage. This is the whole purpose of our smears, to catch abnormal cells BEFORE they have chance to turn into cancer!!

I left feeling reassured and like I'd had a physical weight lifted off my shoulders. It's funny because the whole procedure and appointment were over so quickly and I'd built it up so much in my head that it was almost a little underwhelming!

In terms of Lletz recovery I was incredibly lucky. I had some brown discharge for around 1 week and every time I wiped (sorry if thats TMI!) the tissue was black...this alarmed me at first but a quick Google informed me this was fully normal and was just the dead skin cells where they had been burnt!

Pain was minimal however I took it easy for a few days and handed the hoovering and laundry over to my boyfriend for a couple of weeks! I actually had my period about 5 days after treatment which my nurse said may help in my recovery so that may be why I got off relatively scot free.

Anyway, 3 long weeks later and my results letter arrived today. Confirmed moderate abnormal cells CIN2, all removed and no sign of cancerous cells. I just have to go for a 'smear to clear' in 6 months and if that's all good I'll be back on the 3 yearly cycle. So my cells were actually lower than my smear said which when I was all over Google I discovered is actually quite common!

Anyway, sorry for such a long post but I know how important it is to hear from someone who has been through it. As it was my first ever smear my biggest concern was how long the cells had been there but it's true, they take years and years to develop into anything. This whole process is preventative, so for anyone who has received an abnormal result and is struggling to think positively, please know the chances are you will be fine! If anyone would like to talk further please know I am always here! Whilst my story may have come to an end I'll never forget how I felt in those days after I received my letter and I'm here for anyone going through the same. xx