Abnormal Pap Smear

There are a lot of doctors appointments when you have cancer.  That doesn't mean you stop seeing your other doctors for non-cancer issues.  I still go to my bi-weekly appointment to get allergy injections.  I also had my first cervical cancer screening (pap smear) in 3 years scheduled for today and I did not want to put off this screening. Unfortunately, the result came back abnormal. It's bad enough I already have one cancer.  The last thing I needed to hear was that I may have another.  The gynecologist tried to ease my mind by telling me an abnormal pap smear does not necessary mean cancer.  Follow up biopsies of the cervix and endometrium fortunately did come back negative.  Still, I have to wonder why the pap smear came back abnormal.

It seems to be common for those who have had cancer to worry that any new pain or discomfort is a recurrence or another cancer.  My boyfriend jokes that I've turned into a hypochondriac.  Breast pain in new location? Must be another cancer brewing.  Pulled calf muscle?  Maybe I have a tumor growing there.  Knee pain?  Back pain?  Headache?  Abdominal pain?  Cancer. Cancer. Cancer. Cancer.  You know it is more likely to not be cancer, but once you draw the unlucky straw of having cancer once, it's always going to be on your mind.  I hope in time, after I regain health and stay healthy a while, the anxiety will lesson.