Allison's story
Abnormal cervical cells and treatment
It was nowhere near as bad as I was dreading. My hubby came with me and I was only waiting for 5 minutes, then a lovely nurse came and got me. She introduced us to a really nice friendly female consultant, who explained everything to me and said that Chichester hospital was a "see and treat" clinic so she would - if i wanted her to - remove the area that looked dodgy there and then. I asked if this was a LLETZ procedure and she said it was.
I then went next door, took off my jeans and knickers and sat on the edge of a bed. The nurse was lovely and covered my modesty with a sheet! My hubby was invited to sit next to me so he could see the screen. I lay back and put my legs over the stirrups - they are like something you use at the gym to exercise your thighs! Felt quite comfy actually! The doc then inserted the instrument they use for smears. It went in painlessly. She then told me to look at the screen and said "thats your cervix". Because of the magnification, it looked enormous! All the way through she explained slowly what she was doing. Firstly she cleaned the area with a swab. The cotton bud looked the size of a spaceship! Then she squirted some iodine onto the area to show up white (bad) cells. None of this hurt. I just felt a slight tugging sensation. She showed us where the white cells were which confirmed the presence of the abnormal cells. She and I discussed things and decided it would be best to remove the cells there and then instead of waiting.
She then said "right Allison you will look away now. This is not something you need to watch". I looked at clouds painted on the ceiling whilst the nurse held my hand. I must admit I did feel the injection. It stung, but was over quickly. She then told me that I would feel burning. Man I did !! But again - it was over quickly. I must have held my breath though cos the nurse said "remember to breathe, thats quite important!!" She then put something on my cervix to cauterise the bleed and said it was over. I tried to sit up and suddenly my legs and hands wouldn’t stop shaking. The nurse gave me some water and they said my reaction was quite normal. It stopped after about 5 minutes.
The nurse gave me a pad (looked like a mattress!) and we went back into docs office. She explained that I would have discharge for 2 to 4 weeks and may bleed some as well. No sex for 4 weeks, no tampons either. I was about to go on hols in 2 weeks time and she said that providing bleeding had stopped I could go in the pool.
She sent the sample off to lab to confirm her diagnosis and that nothing was missed. She told me I would hear in about 3 weeks time. We then left her office and went shopping! I had slight period pain and felt a bit woozy but think that was having had no food all day and relief it was over. Hubby bought me new handbag cos I was "a brave girl"! - his words.
Afterwards I had a watery discharge. No pain. I feel so much better I have gotten it out of the way and am well impressed with NHS at Chichester. I couldn’t have had a better doctor and nurse.
Good luck to all who are having Colposcopy and LLETZ for first time. I can honestly say that whilst it hurt a bit it was over in a flash. Dental treatment is far far worse!
Last updated: 10/03/2011
