Hi all - :angel:
I've responded to a couple of girls going for colposcopies - trying to ease their mind about the procedure.
Now I need someone to ease my mind about the LEEP. I've been cool with it up until the past few days, I'm starting to get nervous. :eek:
Anyways - my Doctor called me Friday and told me that there are two areas that she will be "leeping" and that one goes fairly deep. So she said the discomfort afterwards might be a little more than usual.

She also said that if there is any Cancer in the basal layer of the specimen(s) she removes than the next procedure will be a hysterectomy.

I'm 26 - no children - and have confirmed Stage 0 Cervical Cancer - Any words of hope - or even just truth?
:confused:

Wow - I'm stoked that 18 people have viewed my posting - and not one word of encouragement. :rolleyes:
I'm a nervous wreck - and on top of all the other "daily life" stuff this is the icing on the cake for me. So thanks :)
Maybe I'm a little more concerned than I should be -and I'll just try to be tough about it I guess.



:(

Hi,
while I did not have carcinoma, I had dysplasia which I need a leep for. The LEEP went great. I had absolutely no pain--the only thing that kind of hurt was the numbing shot to the cervix. THe anxiety is far worse than the actual procedure. It's been over 3 wks now and I have not had an infection. THe only complication has been a yeast infection from my antibiotics. The LEEP is a very succesful procedure and cures about 95% of dysplasia. While I do not know much about stage 0 cancer, I do know that it's often called carcinoma in situ--which means that it hasn't spread and can be treated succesfully with LEEP. Stage 0 has not invaded beyond the surface layer of your cervix--this is a good thing! Stay positive--i know how hard it is, but because of your age and the fact that you want to preserve fertility, you can avoid the hysterectomy.

Hi--

If you and your doctor are worried about the depth she must go to remove the lesion, have you discussed the possibility of twilight sedation? I had that and was completely out for the entire procedure. I would not want to do it any other way.

There's a relatively new book out there on HPV and abnormal paps (published in 2002 I believe) that states that carcinoma in situ is not really cancer. Basically all of the cells in the epithelial layer of the cervix are abnormal, but as long as the cells have not invaded beyond that level then this is still considered severe dysplasia. Many doctors are lumping carcinoma in situ with severe dysplasia under CIN III.

HTH!
T~

I had a leep procedure about 2 years ago. The worry before the procedure is much worse than the actual procedure itself. My boyfriend at the time, now my husband, came with me and held my hand the whole time. That made it much more bearable. I only had displaysia, which are precancerous cells. They recently have come back again, but so far only slightly, not anything to much to worry about. I completely understand the feelings of being scared and worried, but it will not be as bad as you are imagining. Good luck!!

Hi Choznwon-

Good luck to you on your leep tomorrow as I hope that all goes well with you during and after the surgery. As far as discomfort & pain, my leep was pretty deep as well and I was told to take it easy and relax. I tried to relax at home but I got bored after four hours so I went back to work. I agree with many others that the most discomfort I felt was the shot in my cervix, after that it wasn't bad at all. Here's hoping that you have a quick recovery and that you heal quickly from your leep.

Thankyou so much - all of you.
I feel a little better - but as you said it's the pre-leep anxiety that's the worst. So in a few hours I'll be done and I'm sure quite relieved to have it behind me.
You're all so thoughtful - really - thankyou from the bottom of my heart. :wave:
My boyfriend had to work out of town these past two weeks and other than him I'm going it alone - so you're support means so much.

I'll keep you all posted - and again - THANKYOU :angel:

HI Girls -

LEEP is done - and I'm back at work. WOW

Just goes to show what stress and anxiety can do to your perception of things. I feel fine and the worst part (you were right) were the shots. Now - I wait for results and pray for clear margins. Thanks again everyone!

:wave:

Got the ALL CLEAR today - thanks for your prayers and support all.

Good luck to those of you still waiting for tests or results.

;)