Leep & Doctor Information

Hi everyone.  I am new to this board and website.  I found this like many others, after a random google search.

 I have been through an emotional roller coaster (my husband as well) with the abnormal pap smear (a-typical cells...), to the colposcopy, to the biopsey, and now a LEEP procedure on Friday (04/11).  This has taken almost 2 months to get through and I feel like my doctor is not being 100% upfront about information.  My nurse called me on 04/02 to tell me that my biopsey came back and both areas they test showed moderate to severe dysplasia.  She said that they wanted me in for the LEEP asap...she explained that I would get general anethesia (sp.).  From what I have read, that is given to people who need more of an extensive procedure.  Of course, my doctor has not said anything about that.  They said they would send me home with pain meds and again after everything I have read about this procedure, it seems unecessary unless my doctor feels like it is worse than what she is saying.  Is there any truth to my worries here??  I plan to write again after the procedure--I just want everyone to know how extremely helpful this site has been in easing my fears and helping me feel better about myself in general (I am 25 yrs. old, only been married for 7 months, and plan on having kids in the next 2-3 years). 

 I was also curious because my husband seems to have been through the ringer on this and I wanted to see if anyone has any advice to help significant others through this.  No matter how often I tell him that it is not bad, he only can hear and see the dreaded "C" word (cancer) and cannot look past it.  Help!

 Thanks!

I am so sorry you are going through this! Thankfully, you have your husband there as emotional support. As an fyi, moderate to severe dysplasia doesn't mean it's become cancer, yet. But why does your doctor want you to schedule another LEEP before you have healed from the first one?

A few questions: Have you seen all of the lab reports? Has your doctor given you a thorough discussion of how extensive the dysplasia is? Has your doctor told you if it's in the endocervical canal or if the endocervical glands are involved? Did your doctor discuss the risks and benefits of cryosurgery, laser, and cold knife cone biopsy, in addition to LEEP, before recommending LEEP? From the sounds of what you posted, if you don't feel comfortable with your doctor or if you answer "no" to any of the above questions, fire that doctor and get another one who will be more forthcoming, explanatory, and compassionate. It's your right to have that kind of a doctor.

But before you go through another procedure, empower yourself by being as informed as possible. It really does help to have all the information in order to make those decisions. It also helps take away some of the fear when you're actively involved, especially when you can make informed decisions. I know you can get through this!

My apologies, I reread your post, and it said you were having LEEP done 04/11, not 04/01. So, that answers my first question. But still, from what you posted, I think you would be more comfortable with a different doctor, especially since it was the nurse who called you, instead of the doctor. When you see the new doctor, ask as many questions as possible. It's much, much easier when you have a doctor willing to hold your hand and to keep you aware of everything so that you can make an informed decision.

The best thing I did was fire my first doctor and get a new doctor. The ex-doctor did call me, but all she said was, "The lab report showed one focal point at the transformation zone as CIN II. You need LEEP within the next two weeks." She never showed the lab report, she refused to discuss other options and bullied me into LEEP through fear tactics, she was very flippant and irritated about my concerns, and she didn't want to take the time to explain how extensive it was nor what was involved. I was terribly distressed because I had no idea what was going on with my health, except that she was going to do something mysterious to me without taking my fear and upset into concern.

Again, it really mean a lot when you have a doctor who wants you to be informed as possible, and it does quell a lot of the fear.

Thank you so much for your reply!  This is actually my first LEEP procedure.  All of the questions you just asked have a resounding "NO"!  All she explained was the LEEP procedure.  She did not tell me anything about the location or explain any of the other procedures.  It has really been on the forefront of all my thoughts because I really like my doctor, I just feel as though I got all of my information on my own and from this fantastic board.  I really feel as though I would have been in the dark had it not been for all of the research that I have been doing.  My husband has had a sneaking suspicion that my doctor is not being completely up front.  Although the other procedures sound more invasive and more risky, I still would have liked to know all of my options.  

 Again, I really appreciate your time and thoughts on this matter as it is quickly approaching.  I cannot express how much it means to me and my husband to have a support system on this procedure.  Thanks again! 

You're welcome! I'm glad this board is here. I wish I had known it was here, before anything had been done to me.

If your husband is also uncomfortable with the doctor, go with your gut instincts. Your doctor may be nice, but that doesn't make her appropriate for you. My doctor seemed nice, at first, but was increasingly hostile, the more I asked questions. These are our bodies! We need and should have all the information possible about our conditions and our options. The doctor I hired after I fired the first one sent me my lab report without my asking. (He knew I wanted to see it, anyway.) That alone built my confidence in him. I was nervous about looking at it, but taking away the mystery made all the difference in the world.

Again, I'm so glad your husband is there for you. Having people who love me give their support and concern made it easier for me, too.