Nan
I hope you know you aren't the only woman to be experiencing this. I have been going through the same thing the past month. I was scared to death at first..I am one to think the worst I guess.. all I could think about was cancer. The worst part is not knowing what's going on, so go see your doctor..once you find out why the cells are abnormal you will stop being so terrified. If you have gone in regularly for paps and this is the first abnormal pap one then you are lucky and what ever it is can be treated and you will be back to normal in no time. I had a colyoscopy last week. That's where they peak inside you with a microscope and magnify the cells. Then she took a few small pinches of the abnormal cells to be biopsied. It was not the most fun thing I have done but it was fairly painless. a few cramps afterwards. no worse than the first day of my menstral cycle. I talked to her about my concern for cancer and she said even if the results do show signs of cancer there are wonderful treatments to remove the cells. Outpaitent lazer surgery and there is another ultrasonic way if the cells are only on the vaginal lining or on the cervix. She also said it takes years and years of untreated cells to be life threatening. Chances are you just have a slight infection.. it doesn't take to much to throw off a pap smear. So find out what's really going on and try not to worry to much. Think positive and keep smiling. As I get older I realize I spend to much time thinking about what might be and miss out on all the good things life has to hold. Life's to short to think that way. So get into your doctor and ask questions, get the facts and you'll be amazed how quickly your fears will go away. The best to you.. You will be just fine. smiles.. Nan