Hi Maria
I know how scary and awful it is to get that news. I too suffered from high anxiety for a good few weeks. Even now, with my lletz out the way I’m still feeling anxiety although it’s much less.
The ladies are right – smear tests don’t always catch everything. I’d be lying if I said I understood it, but take reassurance from the fact you are now in the system and they will have this on your records for the future. One positive outcome of all this for me is being impressed with how efficient the screening process is and how quickly you’re seen to if something is wrong. OK, it’s not perfect but I have a lot of faith in it.
Now, I am a total wimp when it comes to any kind of medical procedure, so I was dreading the colposcopy and lletz! But both were absolutely fine – honest. I’ve had much worse dental procedures and bikini waxes! You don’t see the needle, and I guess it’s different for everyone, but I hardly felt it and the nurse chatted away to me while it was happening which helped. They go to such efforts to make sure you are comfortable and both colp and lletz are over before you even know it.
Before I went in for my colposcopy, the Sister in charge took me into a room and spoke to me about my results and what to expect. My original letter hadn’t said what degree of abnormality I had (they don’t seem to do that in Scotland) so I didn’t know what I was walking into. This really reassured me and I was even managing to joke with her as we went into the procedure room – I thought I’d have to be dragged in!
I had biopsies taken and then had to go back for a lletz which I wasn’t happy about – but at least I knew they were going to remove all the bad cells.
I too had read the horror stories, but just think about the many, many women who have these procedures who don’t post online because it all went fine. Personally speaking, I had my lletz over a week ago and so far had no ill effects at all. Hoping it stays that way but time will tell I guess!
For me (so far) the absolute worst bit about this whole experience has not been the procedures, but the waiting and worrying and angsting.
This forum is a good source of support but remember it can be slightly skewed – many of the ladies posting here have had unfortunate experiences and bad news. Those who have better news are less likely to post it on here so you can get the impression that worst case diagnoses are more common than they actually are. In reality, only a small number of abnormal cases result in cancer – and even if they do, it can treated quickly and very effectively.
That said, this is a great place to go for understanding. My boyfriend has been very supportive and sweet, but he just doesn’t really understand it all. He’s like ‘it isn’t cancer so what’s the matter, why are you still stressing?’ Everyone on here is so supportive and lovely. It’s a really nice community - even if the reason for us being here isn’t that nice!
I know it’s easier said than done, but please try not to worry, this is such a common thing. When I got my lletz my nurse told me that they do a lot of procedures in a week and the waiting room was full of women. And everyone I’ve spoken to has either had it done or knows someone close to them who’s had it done.
Phew – sorry for the super long post! Hop it all helps you feel a wee bit better,
Take care xxx
