So much to comment on (mmmmmm …creme brulee) but I’ll stick to the really important bit. I don’t think I know anyone who hasn’t had an abnormal pap in their lives (me included). In all the cases that I know (mine included), its resolution was a minor procedure (I hate that word ‘procedure’ — it sounds so ominous even when it’s not) and everything was then fine. So try not to stress (difficult, I know). You’re not allowed to break my track record of everyone being fine, OK?

Good luck at the doctor! Personally, I have only literally had one totally healthy year (19-20) and by healthy I mean no major health issue not “no colds” in my whole life so I know how that goes.

Re: Ce Ce: what a loon she is! So fake and grating.

Yes, NY is damn cold. Bring lots of layers!
Good luck at the doctor.

I had the cervical thing too. (A colposcopy or whatever it’s called.) My doctor also called me at home and I freaked out. But it all sounds much scarier than it is. After a few months I had another test and it was fine.

Ditto about the pap and colposcopy - it’s a good precaution to take, but it’s usually just that, and everything most likely will be okay. I know it can be stressful, but try not to think about it too much, and best of luck with all of it.

Ditto to everything everyone else said. Very sorry you have to go through all this stress right now, but it will most likely turn out to be just a precaution. The great thing is you are heading out to the east coast for a really fun trip, and that is something to look forward to.

Add me to the abnormal pap and colposcopy (sp?) club. It wasn’t the greatest experience in the world but it happens and if it does happen to you, it will be taken care of. Try not to worry - it is very common. A number of my friends have had the same thing happen. Literally, all four of my best friends - and that’s only the people I’ve talked to about it!

I’m going to reiterate what everyone else has said about the doctor’s visit. I had a colposcopy in November - and thank GOD - everything was fine.

However, I was just as nervous as can be. I attribute that to too much ‘preliminary’ research about the procedure. You will be fine. Don’t worry yourself silly - but if you do, be sure they give you Xanax beforehand to calm your nerves

How long are you staying in NY? I’ll be there the 19th-23rd. If you’re still there, we should get together for some cupcakes or something!

Thanks everyone for your experiences. I feel so much better knowing so many people have had the colposcopy!

Melanie, I leave on the 20th so we’re only going to overlap by a day. But if I have some free time (I’m going to see tons of family), I will call you and we can have a cupcake (or two). Otherwise, we will have to do it when you’re back in LA!

i think that you and the creme brule torch are made for eachother. and i want to try some please!

awesome girl chat…the most common things happen most commonly, so don’t worry!

Usually if you have an abnormal Pap, you should ask your doctor for the HPV test. Can’t be too careful and HPV is very common…

I had a colposcopy a few years ago. It wasn’t the most pleasant experience, but I was out and about that evening. The doctor freaked me out with all the things it could mean. When I had the procedure the doctor said I had tons of pre cancerous cells and would need surgery. I was totally freaked out. I later found when we got the results that the nucleus in my cells were just large and that is why the pap came back abnormal.

Moral of the story…prolong freaking out about it until you get the results, even if the doctor says it’s bad while doing it.

Good luck, and make sure you have a nice Crème Brule to come home to after!!!

Yeah, I agree with Sarah. Don’t worry unless there’s something to worry about …and there won’t be!

I had my colposcopy about 4 years ago. My gyno had talked about pre-cancerous cells before I went to have it done — talk about a freak-out. I was fit to be tied.

The procedure itself? I went shopping right afterwards. And that night, I had my friend’s engagement party. I had what felt like period cramps but those were gone before the party. A couple of hours of MILD discomfort. That’s it.

And then I had to have a pap every 6 months for 2 years. They ALL came back clear after the colposcopy.

Same goes for every friend of mine who went through the same tsuris.

Please try not to worry (too much). I’m sure that you’re anxious but it’s going to be FINE! Pinky-swear!

Just have a great time in NY!!!!! It’s going to be FUN!!!!

We got a torch as part of a wedding gift (a creme brulee set), but haven’t figured out how to use it yet. Looking forward to it, though.

And justJENN rocks! She’s my hero.

Add me to the abnormal pap/colpo club, too. I just had my last procedure in October, and everyone else is right when they say to hold off on freaking out.

One more bit of advice–my colpo actually came back with bad results, so then my doc wanted to do a another procedure. It’s a long story, but I decided against the next procedure because I haven’t had kids yet, and this procedure may have affected my ability to do so. My doc agreed to wait six months, and PRESTO! The pre-cancerous cells went away on their own. Apparently (according to the three docs I consulted) this is something that happens in about 60% of the cases, but doctors err on the side of precaution and usually advise the patient to have the cells removed, just to be safe. SO, even if your results are not great from the colpo, there is STILL a good chance the cells will clear up on their own.

Just thought I’d share in the hopes of saving you some of the grief and anguish you might encounter during this process–if caught early, this whole thing is very treatable. So, good luck!

The colposcopy is no big deal. They basically pickel your cervix (how my dr. explained to me. he’s very funny) to see what cells “light up”. I’m up for 6 month check on Monday after having Stage 4 Abnormally Stupid Funky Cells removed. Good luck!

Have we *all* had an abnormal pap / colposcopy before? Wow! I think we all deserve cupcakes!

“Monday it was 87. Today it’s supposed to be 70.”

The jealous part of me says: I hate you so much right now.

Thanks for the props!!

On cupcake talk, have you been to Sugar Sweet Sunshine for cupcakes in NY? Their lemon cupcakes are soooo good (and I’m not even a huge lemon dessert fan) and their chocolate buttercream ones are also delish. I was so bummed I didn’t get to go there the last time I was in NY, so if you go, have a cupcake for me!