I had to share my story with you today. It is the reason I am passionate about cervical cancer awareness. It’s the reason I do pap smears on my female patients when I get the chance to. I do my best to keep them up to date and on schedule for their benefit.
I do it because I know that in the midst of life, we can get caught up over other things and forget to take care of our own health. And, I have heard it said more often amongst mothers, especially the single mothers.
When all the responsibilities of running the family fall in their hands, they will not neglect their nurturing role. They will work hard to meet the needs of their children. Often, their health, especially their sexual health, gets the back burner and sometimes it becomes too late.
I do not want that to happen to you.
I want you to know that you have the power to change your circumstances.
So, you need to know my story. Rather, my mother’s story. This is really how I first encountered cervical cancer and how it affected my family. This is why I became involved in the Ob&Gyn specialty.
CERVICAL CANCER became an enemy of my family. It affected my mother specifically. But, I know that had my mother been equipped with the right information at an earlier age, it would have saved her over 5 years’ worth of worry and suffering.
My discovery
I was always a bright child… always observant and not afraid to ask questions.
I was about 13 years old and I noticed that something wasn’t right about my mom. She was much less perky than her usual and it appeared that something was bothering her.
Being the bright child that I was, I would sit in the room and listen to conversations mom and my eldest sister would have and silently gather information.
One day, I heard them mention the term ‘Cervical cancer’…. Wait!… What???
I went from quiet to outraged! As far as I knew anything cancer was a killer!
Cancer killed my aunt and my godmother!
Then my questions came. “Who has cancer?”“when did you find out?”… and a million more came flooding.
I knew something was bothering mom, but I would have never guessed it was anything to do with cancer. I couldn’t believe that my mom was facing a battle with a potentially fatal situation!
Though a shock to me, it wasn’t for my mother.
This new development was not an overnight affair. This was in the making over some 20 years prior to my knowledge.
Abnormal Paps in her 20’s
My mother knew she was affected by the HPV (Human Papillomavirus).
She had an abnormal Pap smear in her early 20’s… seems like she was younger than age 25 years at the time. Her unfaithful beau took the virus home to her and she was oblivious of that.
Anyways, she recalled being told by her physician at the time that she would grow out those abnormal cells and that her body will clear the infection. So, she went on living with that assurance.
Anyways….
She did her scheduled Pap smears for years after and all remained well. But, she began to slip up on the schedule.
And you know the old saying… “If you slip, you will slide”
And sliding she did!
The HPV came back or rather was resurrected from the dead. This time, it came with a mandate to wreak havoc and spread mischief.
Slipping Up
Her resolve was that she totally forgot to schedule them in as she was so busy with working and taking care of us. Sounds familiar?
She is not the only woman guilty of doing this. Many women forget to take care of their health needs when they become caught up in the affairs of parenting. It’s a COMMON excuse.
The Alarm Signals
She then had a change in her menses. They were coming heavier than usual and lasting a few days longer.
At first, she watched this to see if it was becoming a regular thing… and it did.
Then, she noticed a mass in her abdomen…. That sent off some alarm bells.
Was this some regular fibroids? Or was this manifestation of the big C????
Could this be the HPV coming back as cervical cancer???
My mom was a hot mess! She went to our doctor right away!
They did the whole works… We did the executive blood profile, pelvic ultrasound, pap smear, CEA, CA-125.
The blood results showed that she had anaemia from all those heavy periods.
Thankfully, all the other blood results were normal.
The ultrasound revealed that the mass were uterine fibroids. There were lots of them. And they grew rapidly. They started to cause back pain, pain during sex and some intense pelvic pressure. Then she had pelvic organ prolapse – another headache.
Results of the Pap Smear
The first Pap revealed inflammatory cells and a vaginal infection.
No big fuss about that. She got treatment. And another Pap was scheduled shortly after.
I really can’t remember the exact timeline. Anyways, the second one was done.
The results of that: Atypical squamous cells – undetermined significance (ASCUS). Hmmm…
Doc was like, fine. We will follow the sequence and repeat. That was done.
That darn ASCUS stood its ground.
The ASCUS was not the only problem here. Other problems were coming up like abnormal discharge and painful intercourse.
So, she was referred to an Ob&Gyn specialist.
The Specialist
My mom’s frustration and worry were bubbling over by this point.
The Ob&Gyn specialist sent her to do a colposcopy and a few abnormalities seen. Biopsy sent off – no precancerous changes seen.
The Pap smear was repeated – ASCUS again!
Now, what in the world was happening.
She also did Endometrial sampling, but that was negative.
The colposcopy and biopsy were repeated… The results: Precancerous changes…. CIN II/III type.
Not cervical cancer. pheww!
The option offered was the LLETZ procedure then continue regular smears.
My mother was not having it. She completely resisted that.
She contemplated hysterectomy and her doctor listened.
Her decision
The decision for hysterectomy was easy as my mom was just over this madness.
She had three problems but the thought of having cancer placed her on edge.
Anxiety was the order of her day.
She was fed up over all the other symptoms and how her life was spiralling out of her control.
She felt helpless and sad.
She worried herself to 40lbs worth of weight loss – which was very scary for me! Scary face!
The thought of cancer
She knew what the statistics of cervical cancer was, and she was wondering if she was going to be a victim.
Mind you, this was not cervical cancer, but, the possibility of it becoming that was too much for her.
It bothered her every day.
She would often ask herself and say to my sister,
“What if she did the LLETZ and then afterwards the same ASCUS came back on her follow up Paps?”
“What if by then it turned out to be Cervical Cancer?”
She was scared for her life and that of her children.
If this turned out to be cancer, who would take care of her children?
How would her young babies survive without her?
Then the bombshell question dropped on her… who would to take care of her?
The final decision
Mom was comfortable with her family size. She wasn’t planning on having any more children. Her husband was fine with it.
A hysterectomy would cure the problem of her symptomatic uterine fibroids and pelvic organ prolapse too.
She spoke with the Gyno and the final decision was made – resolve by Vaginal Hysterectomy.
So, in September 2008, my mom had her Vaginal hysterectomy done with a single oophorectomy (they saw a large hemorrhagic cyst on her ovary) and vaginal wall repair.
My mom claims this was a complete vaginal rejuvenation for her. Lol
Minor Point:
She had a few complications after surgery but not directly due to the surgery. She developed some spinal disease shortly after and has been battling with chronic lower back pain ever since, but that is a different story for a different day.
But, I understand, and it would be inevitable anyways. It’s a disease of old age and we just press on with life and solve our issues one step at a time.
Brighter & better years
Today, my mom is better than she ever was! She enjoys working especially at home caring for the needs of her grown-up babies. She is enjoying living!
There is no need to ever worry about cervical cancer nor womb cancer again!
I hope my encounter will help to shape your future.
Your Responsibility
Your power comes through your willingness to do regular screening and keep on schedule. The greater power comes through being vaccinated against HPV.
Take this message and keep it at the forefront of your mind.
Let your body thank you for doing the right thing to keep it healthy.
Your health is your best asset. Your health is your wealth.
Your knowledge is your power.
We have that knowledge and we want you to keep educating yourself.
Keep doing what is right for your mind, body and soul.
Your health is your responsibility.
My precious Lovie, have a health-conscious week
XOXO
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Welcome!
My name is Chantel Clarke. And yes, I am a real doctor. But, I am really excited you decided to visit today. You are in for an exciting journey towards a better Ob&Gyn health experience.
