I’m 26 and married and have 2 beautiful boys aged 2 and 4. When I was 19 I received my first abnormal Pap test result. It came back with low grade changes and was I told to come back in 6 months. Well I was silly and didn’t.
My doctor never explained to me what could happen so I didn’t think it was that important. I didn’t go back for another 5 years! I had my children and got married in that time. Shortly after the birth of my second child I started having problems. Painful intercourse, spotting after, bleeding between periods.
I went to my doctor who ordered an ultrasound and blood tests. My ultrasound showed a 5mm lesion on my cervix. I had a Pap test that day. Still didn’t think it was much. Maybe just a cyst. The results came back the next day as CIN2. My world crumbled. All the “what if’s” were running through my mind. I was beyond scared. My children were so young. I was so young! I saw my gynaecologist. He did a colposcopy and took a biopsy which confirmed the doctors results. 2 weeks later I had surgery. I had a LLETZ, d&c and a laparoscopy to remove some endometriosis. I stayed in hospital for 4 days after some complications. My body wasn’t handling it very well. Another extremely scary time. I received my biopsy results 14 days later with the result of CIN3. I was beyond relieved. I came very close to the fight of my life. My children weren’t going to have to watch mum get sick and in the worse case pass away.
I cannot tell you how important early intervention is. Trusting your instincts and paying attention to your body is the most important thing you can do.
Ladies please go for your Pap tests, don’t miss a single one! It could just save your life. A year on from my surgery I am still having problems. Even though the CIN2/3 is now gone, my body still isn’t coping. I wish I had done as the doctor said. I can’t change that one but what I can do is educate women on why they are so important.
Thank you for taking the time to read this xx