I need advice, please! To make a horrible, long story short..( I'm 23.. ) I have cervical cancer. I had a biopsy and caught the cancer early. I had cryosurgery, and it completely got it for the time being. I had a "normal" or "negative" pap smear five months after my cryosurgery.. Good news! I went to the OBGYN atleast ten times that year! The cancer has changed my life. I have developed slight depression and anxiety, but I have a loving husband who takes me for who I am, and was there for me the WHOLE time.
I have a few questions, I'll keep them short & simple.
- We want a child, but I am trying to work on my anxiety and depression first.. I refuse to take anti-depression medicine.. I know I need to have a child when I'm young and while the cancer is currently under control.. Correct?
I fear the worse.. I don't want it to spread. I'm scared that I need to hurry and have a child and get a hysterectomy soon after. But they just may be my awful anxiety kicking in!!
What is the chances of my cancer coming back? I know it is not completelty gone forever.. right? I'm just so lost and confused.
One more question..
When we have sex.. it is kind of painful, and last night I bled just a LITTLE bit, and it stopped today. Maybe he hit my cervix? Who knows! But I am going to the gyno next month for sure..
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HPV and Pregnancy and Sex!!
- By ibelieveinhope
- Posted February 23, 2009 at 11:30 am · 4 replies
- In Sexuality after cancer
- Shared with the public
- Edited February 23, 2009 at 11:31 am
Explore topics in this discussion:
Exercise Cancer Hysterectomy Cervical dysplasia Pregnancy Cryosurgery Cervical cancer Anxiety HPV Carcinoma in situ Depression Stress
4 replies
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- Newest first
- By simplynat
- Posted February 23, 2009 at 3:08 pm
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Hi ibelieve and welcome to this site! There are many supportive and knowledgeable people here. Knowledge is power!
First, I want to ask if you are sure you had CC. If it was treated by cyrosurgery then it would likely have been cervical dysplasia and not cancer. The two are managed very differently. Cervical dysplasia is usually diagnosed as CIN1 (mild dysplasia), CIN2 (moderate dysplasia) CIN3(severe dysplasia), CIS (carcinoma in situ) or AIS (adenocarcinoma in situ) which are still considered to be levels of dysplasia and not true cancer. Cervical cancer is not considered to be true cancer until the abnormal cells have broken through the lining of the cervix and invaded the neary tissue.
If I understand you correctly it sounds to me that the cryosurgery was successful in removing all of the abnormal cells? If this is the case then it would mean that you no longer have cervical dysplasia. Pregnancy is definitely hard on the body and ensuring you are in the best possible health prior to becoming pregnant would certainly be very beneficial to you!
The good news is that being in a commited relationship with a supportive and loving husband likely means you will not be exposed to any new strain(s) of HPV. Genital HPV is the causitive factor for 99.8% of all cervical cancers (and dysplasia) and the longer the virus is active the more likely it is for dysplasia to either develop or progress. I would encourage you to learn as much as you can about HPV and what can be done to help clear any active strain(s) of the virus. (adequate rest, no smoking, minimal stress, exercise, healthy eating etc.)
Due to your last pap being clear, it would indicate that you no longer have any cervical dysplasia so technically there isn't anything to 'control' or 'spread'. Given this, I would say once you feel you are healthy enough and are given the okay from gyn. you would be okay to try for the children you desire. I wouldn't be overly concerned with the need to have a hysterectomy. For most women, cryo, LEEP or cone biopsy will remove the dysplasia and they may never require any further treatment. However, because HPV has the ability to go from dormant to active it will always be important to follow up with regular smears in the future in case of a possible recurrence. The good news is that if, by chance, you do experience a recurrence, it's will likely be possible to remove the abnormal cells with another cryo, LEEP or conization.
(I hope that all made sense. I may have been babbling)
Best wishes to you!
- By ibelieveinhope
- Posted February 23, 2009 at 3:13 pm
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Thank you so much! I guess with all that has been going on I have not clearly understood my problem. I did just have pre-cancerous cells that were removed. Your response was so helpful and reasuring. Thank you so much for your time. I love this site, it is good to know you're not alone .. not wishing this upon anyone, though! :)
- By PrincessRed
- Posted March 1, 2009 at 12:17 am
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i believe in hope...
You've encouraged me already just by your screen name! Thank you!
It's also encouraging to hear that you don't believe in taking anti-anxiety meds....I'm no doctor, but I've worked in the medical field and have observed many friends and family members who turn into something they're not when they start on those things!
I remember I had a little personal mantra when I was 23 that I had as a screen saver banner: Release fears... relieve anxiety...find relief...
Fear usually comes from the unknown, so your appointment with your doc should definitely help you in finding out the current status of what's going on with your body, and will provide you with knowledge on what step to take next...
Relieve your anxiety by just taking one step and one day at a time....focus on your blessings and all you have to be thankful for, such as the information and support you are surrounded with here, as well as your supportive husband....
Then, take in a deep fresh breath of relief, knowing you are not alone and you will make it through!
Hugs, thoughts and prayers~
- By Shawnpew
- Posted July 30, 2009 at 2:41 am
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Hello could u help me i had cancer went through chemo radition the works i have not had a peroid in 6 months now iam spotting its hurts when i have sex at times and lately my mood swings are very bad i have hott flashes but now my bleddin is more then ever please help can i have kids one day what are all of the side effects after these treatments six months later???? Thank u so much
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