PSA: Get your Pap Smears!

BrightFirefly · February 2012

Ladies,

I just want to remind everyone to stay on top of yearly gynecological appointments - even though we all hate them. Get the yearly paps - or as recommended by your physician.

One of FI's sisters was diagnosed with cervical cancer - she's only in her early twenties - maybe 22? (Oddly - FI is a cancer survivor - he lost a kidney to cancer last year - something must be in their genes?). She didn't get her regular pap smears - it was found on a CT scan of her abdomen because she was having pain. Not sure what the plan is yet -_- but it's def. an eye-opener.

ginadog · February 2012

Goodness, I hope your FSIL is going to be ok!

I gyno visits equated pap smears, as in that's why you go to the gyno. Did she skip a few years or go for a visit but not get the pap smear?

Madisonpenny · February 2012

Wow, sorry about hear.
I agree though. The best advice I have for this is Go for your annual physical at your birthday. It's easy to remember this way

. It's my b-day present to myself every year. especially since my family has a HIGH cancer right.

bridetobe71412 · February 2012

That's terrible news

I'm so sorry.

Madisonpenny, that's a good way to remember to go for sure.

ajmom2two · February 2012

Good reminder! My step sister was diagnosed with cervical cancer earlier this year and had a hysterectomy last month. It makes me thankful that I am able to get mine every year and have never had any problems.

BrightFirefly · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2012-weddings_psa-get-your-pap-smears?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:066005ef-215f-48b1-8655-328b41e07c52Discussion:3c0aaaf2-02a2-488d-88e5-df7388645e1dPost:f9461c04-ed69-4a47-87f0-c57850017703">Re: PSA: Get your Pap Smears!</a>:
[QUOTE]Goodness, I hope your FSIL is going to be ok! I gyno visits equated pap smears, as in that's why you go to the gyno. Did she skip a few years or go for a visit but not get the pap smear?
Posted by ginadog[/QUOTE]

I don't think she went at all for a few years.

I'll be honest - if I wasn't on the pill - I probably wouldn't go yearly, but this was a wake up call.

She's a sweet girl - def my fav FSIL. Studying to be a pediatrician. I'm afraid they're going to suggest a hysterectomy - and knowing her , she might refuse treatment because she wants kids so badly. :\

Madisonpenny · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2012-weddings_psa-get-your-pap-smears?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:066005ef-215f-48b1-8655-328b41e07c52Discussion:3c0aaaf2-02a2-488d-88e5-df7388645e1dPost:84543f10-5d2a-484c-8b48-b9a71ebe2d92">Re: PSA: Get your Pap Smears!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: PSA: Get your Pap Smears! : I don't think she went at all for a few years. I'll be honest - if I wasn't on the pill - I probably wouldn't go yearly, but this was a wake up call. She's a sweet girl - def my fav FSIL. Studying to be a pediatrician.<strong> I'm afraid they're going to suggest a hysterectomy - and knowing her , she might refuse treatment because she wants kids so badly</strong>. :\
Posted by BrightFirefly[/QUOTE]

Oh i hope she doesn't refuse treatment and risk her life to have kids. remind here that there are tons of options out there, although some more $$ then others. Some include freezing her eggs and having a surrogate or adopting

michelle11988 · February 2012

That's terrible to hear. I always go and get my annual physical and stuff done I also have a high rate of cancer in my family so I'm always nervous to see what the tests say. Also my sister has been ill in the last few years so they always want to bring me in to run blood work as well.

StephanieToBeKeys · February 2012

I'm sorry about your FSIL. Hopefully it isn't too far advanced that she needs a hysterectomy. If it does happen to be that way definitely remind her that she has other options than refusing treatment. My cousin was diagnosed with the same thing a few years ago. She had to have been barely 18 at the time (she's 23 now). Luckily, it was caught early.

I'm happy to hear that your FI is doing well in his remission. It really could be something with their genes. After losing my grandpa, aunt and a few great aunts and uncles along with my mom, other aunt, and cousin being cancer survivors we decided to get genetic testing done. The results were that we have a mutated BRCA2 gene which increases our chances of getting cancer by about 70% or so. I tested positive and have a 50% to pass on to my children. I hope its just bad luck with your FI's family, but you don't know unless you have that kind of testing done.

BrightFirefly · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2012-weddings_psa-get-your-pap-smears?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:066005ef-215f-48b1-8655-328b41e07c52Discussion:3c0aaaf2-02a2-488d-88e5-df7388645e1dPost:3278d23e-4b4c-4d15-ace8-b1f12d6965aa">Re: PSA: Get your Pap Smears!</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm sorry about your FSIL. Hopefully it isn't too far advanced that she needs a hysterectomy. If it does happen to be that way definitely remind her that she has other options than refusing treatment. My cousin was diagnosed with the same thing a few years ago. She had to have been barely 18 at the time (she's 23 now). Luckily, it was caught early. I'm happy to hear that your FI is doing well in his remission. It really could be something with their genes. After losing my grandpa, aunt and a few great aunts and uncles along with my mom, other aunt, and cousin being cancer survivors we decided to get genetic testing done. The results were that we have a mutated BRCA2 gene which increases our chances of getting cancer by about 70% or so. I tested positive and have a 50% to pass on to my children. I hope its just bad luck with your FI's family, but you don't know unless you have that kind of testing done.
Posted by StephanieToBeKeys[/QUOTE]

Oh wow. I didn't know there was such testing. That's interesting. Thank you for the information.

LADY324 · February 2012

I am sorry to hear about your FSIL. My mom always said that if there is one thing you can do for yourself it is to get your annual pap and also your annual physical at the doctor.

k8888 · February 2012

Oh my, that's so young to be diagnosed with something that scary. Good thoughts to your FSIL!

I may not go to my regular doctor very often, but I am religious about visiting the gyno. I am on the pill so I kinda have to anyway.... I normally hate doctors but I absolutely love my gyno, so I am thankful to have at least one good doctor I trust. (First time I ever went to her I had just gotten back from vacation and had serious tan lines... she totally teased me about them during my breast exam and I knew it was fate that I picked her hahaha).

mekiakoo · February 2012

So sorry about your FSIL

Hopefully it'll be okay.

You're right, be sure to get yourself checked once a year. Like one of the PPs said- treat it as if it's your birthday gift! It only takes a few minutes of your time (well maybe an hour!) once a year. I always get myself checked and I feel guilty if I don't do it!

Fabi&Nita · February 2012

I am so sorry

hope thinks work out for the best. I also go every year, a few years ago i had to get them every 6 months cause they found something but I am back to ones every year and im so thankful

BrightFirefly · February 2012

Thanks for the words of encouragement ladies. I'm really worried about her.

( I just keep asking "Why her?". I wouldn't be so worried if they found it on a routine pap - but they found it on a scan because she was already symptomatic - and that freaks me out.

I'll keep everyone updated. I'm done boohooing about abuela for awhile. They have a lot on their plate and I've really lightened up. :-/

PSA: Get your Pap Smears!

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