Don't leave it too long...

This is not a 'woe is me' post. Nor is it a 'feel sorry for me' post. This is a post so that all of the women who might read this don't make the same mistake I did.

As you may or may not know, baby Pixie is now 9 months old. At my 6 week checkup with the doctor, I asked her to do a pap smear. It had been years since my last one due to moving states and countries, and embarrassment about having this routine check done.

Anyway, my doctor did so, and within a week I was called to go back to the surgery to have another smear done, the initial one had shown some abnormalities.  So, there I was, legs in the air again, for yet another person to prod and probe my privates (although by this stage, it pretty much seems par for the course since having a baby).

This smear also showed abnormalities, so with a referal from my GP, off to the Royal Women's hospital I went.

Long story short, I have a lump of reactive cells on my cervix, which isn't something in itself to worry about unless they "progress". I was told that there are 3 levels of reactive cells, level 1, level 2, and then cancer. My cells are at level 2. I was then told that cells can remain at this level for years before developing into cancer, so not to worry (all I could think at this point was that I haven't had a smear in years, I have no idea how long my cervix has had reactive cells). 

And now I wait. 

I have another appointment in October, I'm still waiting for a date confirmation for the next test. This has been on my mind almost since my child's birth. They are waiting this long to see if the trauma to my cervix from birth is the cause for the lump. 

If it is still there and the biopsy they will again preform still shows the cells are reactive, I will have to have surgery to cut it out, any I wouldn't be able to have any more children. Luckily my husband and I only wanted one child - but having the decision taken from you sucks. 

So ladies, don't be shy. Get a pap smear. It may just save your life.