Joslyn

I thought I was going to start a new chapter in my life...but I wasn't prepared for this chapter...

I was getting ready to start my first year of college, moving into the dorms and finally moving out of my parent’s house... FREEDOM... but before I could do all of that my mom asked if I could get a pap and physical done for the life insurance policy. I thought nothing of it, until a week later I received a call from my doctor asking me to come in to re-do the pap because they had discovered abnormal cells in my test which could indicate CANCER....I remember I was home with my mom just about to leave the house to pick up new bedding. I immediately dropped the phone and began to cry. My mom had to pick up the receiver and continue the conversation. We made an appointment for later that week. The next few days and weeks blew by until I received the next call that I had HPV and not to worry because in most women HPV will go away on its own. I was asked to come back every 6 months to re-do the pap. I was so relieved, but little did I know this was just the beginning. After going to about what felt like a 100 paps the HPV cells were not going away. I began to get frustrated and concerned. The doctor again told me not to worry, that these things just take time. During my sophomore year of college I took a Reproductive Biology class to fulfill my credit and during that class the professor decided to discuss HPV and the rising number of women affected by this disease. I couldn't believe the information that was never conveyed to me, that the little cell I had in me might not go away that it might grow into cancer. I decided to do more research on HPV and went straight to the library pulling every article or book I could find on HPV. After about 10 hours of research and a research paper complete I made an appointment with a new OBGYN and with research in hand asked my new doctor for new options. I got a copo done to remove the cells and asked to get the cells tested. The test came back that I had the high risk strain and about 10 different types of HPV. Skipping 2 years... I met the man of my life, graduated college, and thought my life was fulfilled, until IT came back. At 22 after a weekend in Vegas for my Bachelorette party, I received a message from my OB that the HPV cell has now grown into stage 1 cancer. I was crushed to say the least. My future husband and I called the doctor to schedule a follow-up appointment to discuss treatment options. Since I was getting married in 2 months the doctors suggested I wait until after the wedding to schedule the cone biopsy. In August of 2006 I married the love of my life... went on an amazing honeymoon... and then in September I went in to have the cells removed. I am happy to say now that I have had 3 years of negative paps and loving every minute of life. I know this is a long story, but please know you are not alone and that learning about HPV and cervical cancer can make a difference. Get your pap and empower yourself and your friends and family with the facts.