Surgical procedures and work - Cancer: Breast Message Board

KulNatV · 10-10-2003, 01:56 PM

I just had a colposcopy/biopsy yesterday and the doctor thinks I have mild to moderate dysplasia. He said the results should be in Monday. If it's moderate, he wants to take steps to remove it right away. I had two ASCUS paps and a positive HPV test.

How much work did you miss when you had your LEEPs or laser surgeries? I was told the colposcopy was no big deal but I felt awful afterward for hours. I was wondering what happened to actual people. I don't think I'm going to have any trouble with my boss since he's going through chemo for colon cancer. He should be understanding. I just need to know what to tell him if necessary.

Which method of removal do you recommend in case I get a choice? I'm 30, I haven't had children, and I want to some day.

One more thing, did any of you have trouble with your husbands kind of freaking out over this. Any advice?

KimRick · 10-10-2003, 02:16 PM

I felt fine after the biopsy - no bleeding, nothing. The first time I had the LEEP done, the nurse that woke me up had the WORST

bedside manner! She was vigorously shaking me to wake up and I remember I threw my hand up and asked her not to do that because I felt like I was going to be sick from the anesthesia. Well, she must not have liked that because she threw a dixie cup at me and told me get sick in there. Can you believe that?!?!

As far as discomfort goes, that was 6 years ago, and I do remember feeling somewhat crampy, bleeding alot and really tired. I do have to go in for my second LEEP sometime soon and I'm really nervous about it. I hate cramps and I DEFINITELY hate being put under! I am going to try and have it done on a Friday, so I could have Saturday & Sunday to rest up and try to be back to work on that Monday.

How did you husband freak out?

PaNik5717 · 10-10-2003, 02:17 PM

Welcome to the board. We are all here for you and are so sorry about what you are going through.

To answer your question about work, it really depends on what kind of work you do. I really think the colpo with biopsies is worse than the LEEP, but some women may disagree.

After my LEEP, I had to remind myself that I was recovering after. With the colpo, I had bleeding and pain that I didn't have with the LEEP. They cauterize things with the LEEP machine so things feel a lot different after. You will have some restrictions, though, like no heavy lifting. You should take a day or two off after just to pamper yourself and then you can definitely go back to a desk job. Talk to your doc if you have a more physical job. And, if you do feel bad, make sure you let yourself rest.

I think I will take that advice and get my own butt back to bed. I had another colpo and a D&C on Wednesday. I may have to come back later and edit this because I'm suddenly not feeling all that lucid. Ask if anything I wrote was unclear.

KulNatV · 10-10-2003, 02:29 PM

My husband is doing the typical male "if I pretend this isn't going on it will go away and in the meantime I will take it out on the cat" thing. Kitties are getting tired of being yelled at.

I sit at a desk all day. So physical stuff shouldn't be a problem. How heavy is a heavy object?

I am still bleeding quite a bit from the biopsy and it's been 24 hours. Thanks for your support! Reading this board has helped a lot.

PaNik5717 · 10-10-2003, 03:48 PM

I am still bleeding, too. I can't possibly tell if it's from the colpo, from the D&C or if it's the bleeding I was having before. The first time I had the colpo, I bled for a really long time - sometimes spotting and sometimes heavier. The second time wasn't as bad. With the LEEP, I had a funky clearish discharge and didn't have any bleeding until after my two-week follow-up when the doc kinda aggravated the area a little.

As for heavy lifting, I think the rule here on the board - one established by Willow - is nothing heavier than a bon-bon for the first few days and then nothing heavier than a cappuccino (or a cup of tea) for about a week after that. I think the real thing is probably no more than five or ten pounds. You will have a big chunk cut out of your cervix if you have the LEEP or laser done and you have to give it plenty of time to heal, especially since you want to preserve your fertility. Your doc should give you good recovery instructions with details about all of the restrictions. Do exactly what the list says!!!

You should read the posts with Willow's name on them. I am single, but we kinda discussed the male approach to all of this a few weeks ago. There are so many components and it sounds like your husband is responding pretty normally. He may need your support as much as you need his.

Let us know when you get your results back. I am heading back to bed - it is so difficult to stay there!

Nik