TIME TO CIRCLE THE WAGONS GIRLS

AlaskaDeb

Cheri -

i just found this on line....could she have stage3 3 PRE cancerous cells???? Not good, I'm sure, but WAY better than stage 3 cancer....

"Sometimes, cells on the surface of the cervix appear abnormal but not cancerous. Scientists believe that some abnormal changes in cells on the cervix are the first step in a series of slow changes that can lead to cancer later on; in other words, they may be considered precancerous. CDC says cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (or CIN) is the name for a precursor lesion to cervical cancer. The term CIN, along with a number (1 to 3), is used to describe how much of the cervix contains abnormal cells. Abnormal or precancerous cells are also called dysplasia or squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL). SIL is described as being low-grade (early changes in the size, shape, and number of cells) or high-grade (a large number of precancerous cells). High grade SIL can also be called carcinoma in situ. Cervical cancer, or invasive cervical cancer, is the term used when abnormal cells spread into the cervix or to other tissues or organs."

either way, I know you must be beyond scared...hang in there

Hugs
Deb C

TheShopMama

((Cheri)) ((Amber))
Whooaaaa Girl..... No panic allowed. I do know how your heart sinks and aches. I wondered why God let me live through breast cancer and then my son committed suicide. But he is still in control dear friend. First of all, take a deep breath and exhale. Take off your Mama hat for only a moment and try to think clearly. Deb gave you an excellent answer. Used to, Pap Smears were graded as Class 1, 2, or 3. There is some difference now. I am so glad we have some "experts" here who know what they are talking about. Let's just be sure what we're dealing with.
I know you are frightened, as is Amber. Please know that we are all here praying for you and for Amber and her child!
God has His arms around you right now. Just crawl up in his lap with Amber and let him hold you. You can cry, you can be mad, you can hurt. God understands that. He expects you to feel those feelings. He loves you. Just let it out and then let him take care of it. Talk to us when you need to vent, and talk to God. You will continue to be in my prayers. I pray your doctor visit goes well this afternoon. Pam

lv2cmp

Oh Cheri, I signed on here to hopefully get a leg update on you and I read this about Amber. I know you are upset and would love to just hit something if it would make it feel better. Mad isnt the word for it. Thinking of you and cant wait to sign back on here and get a good update on you. You are dealing with enough now. Please let Amber know I am thinking of her.

Amy

Gus

Oh Cheri, I was checking in for a leg update too and found your message about Amber. I know you are scared, and I hope that Amber can get some answers soon from her doctors. If, as Deb mentioned, the cells are pre-cancerous, there are a number of treatment options to remove them. I know the waiting is pure torture, so hang on to us and let us know how we can help you.

Please tell Amber that I am thinking about her and praying for her. I'm still praying for you too, and I hope that your doc is taking good care of your leg.

Love and hugs to you,
Sue

bearlysane111

Cheri,
So sorry abt the news but thinking like Deb and Pam. Wouldn't they ave to do a biopsy to actually stage? Enough stress in your day;just thinking that mine have been abnormal had dysplasia and will not bore you-all just weird cells. I think like the others here and go by the lab biopsy.

We have you,friend,focus on you right now if you can.i know all aby the only child and Amber is going to be OK,Cheri!

Waiting to hear how you are.
Iris

newvickie

Cheri...sending up lots of prayers for you and Amber.
Can they actually "stage" something without a biopsy? That is what they did to me with the bc...said I was stage four...pallative care only after just looking at my mammogram. After all the tests were done, scans, xrays, mri's etc my oncologist was pleasantly surprised that they were wrong. Just don't put too much stock into what they "think" until they do a biopsy and know something for sure. I know of several women (one who was pregnant) who had cervical cancer...had the lazer treatments and are fine and dandy. Praying it will be the same for Amber.
Love and hugs to you both
Vickie

lizws

Cheri - I sent you a PM. Know that I'm praying for you guys. After two surgeries for abnormal paps, I'll do what I can for you guys.

Let us know what your doc says about your leg!

It's hotter than you know what here. It's miserable! Need to start picking up the house a bit since nothing's been done. LOL

BBL
Liz

Anonymous

Cheri .. (((((((((AMBER)))))))))

Hon, let it out here all you can. God I feel your fear and anger inside me as if it were my own. I'm hugging you and her from afar and holding tight. Hold on to the fact that you had stage 2 and they got rid of it. God I hope Deb is on to something. When is Amber's biopsy?
Hang on, we're all with you in this!

HUGS ((((((((Cheri))))))) .. if your doctor will allow maybe ativan is in order. I know it helps me greatly when it's hard to be calm while waiting for answers. Damn. Praying hard for you both.

Love and more hugs
Charlene

PuppyFive

{{{{{Cheri}}}}} {{{{{Amber}}}}}
On My knees right now!
JTTW
Love, Puppy

shokk

(((Cheri)))) and (((Amber))) ya'll will be at the top of my prayer list.......Cheri so so sorry.......please keep us updated on any news on Amber and also on you sweetheart....we are all worried about your leg as well.....

marshakb

Cheri, I found this info concerning PAP results. Please remember that cancer staging and a PAP number are two different things. The cancer staging can't be done with out knowing lymph involement etc. The score of 3 was for the PAP. I found this:

CIN 1, CIN 2 and 3 or carcinoma in situ (CIS)

Moderate or severe cell changes and CIN 2 or 3
If you have moderate or severe cell changes, or CIN 2 or 3, you will need treatment to get rid of the abnormal cells. There is more about treatment for an abnormal smear in this section of CancerHelp UK. You usually only need treatment once. Then you have follow up smears. If you do have an abnormal smear and have successful treatment you are very unlikely to get cervical cancer (provided you continue being screened). If you do not have treatment, you are very much at risk from cervical cancer.

Carcinoma in situ
CIN 3 is sometimes called 'carcinoma in situ'. This sounds like cancer, but it isn't. It means that some of the cells look cancerous. But they are all contained within the skin covering the cervix. It will not be a true cancer until the cells break through the top layer of skin covering the cervix and spread into the tissue underneath. If this happens, the cells can spread and then they will become a true cancer. You must have treatment as soon as possible if you have carcinoma in situ. As long as the affected area is removed, cancer can be prevented.

Now don't get me wrong, that sucks. but the last line says it all: cancer can be prevented. I am thinking of you and sending positive thoughts up. I wish I could just fly up there and help you get thru this. I believe Amber will be fine. God has been known to listen to me in the past, so I will have a big talk with him for you and Amber. Gentle hugs for her, how soon is the biopsy?

Don't forget to let us know about that leg. Don't you dare ignore your own health!!! Love you mon Cheri, Marsha

Emelee26

Hugs for you Cheri and Amber

Biker54

OMG! Cheri, like everyone else I was checking for an update on your leg and WHAM!!! I am praying as hard as I can for your beautiful Amber. I am also thinking along Deb's line of reasoning. Please try not to freak out until you get a definative diagnosis. Amber needs her mom to be strong right now, as hard as it is. Maybe you could borrow Robin's Evil to punch. I'm sure she wouldn't mind. No, seriously, scream, holler, cry, whatever you need to do to get through this horrible news! We will be here to support you and Amber. ((((((Amber)))))))

I just went back and read Marsha's post. My SIL had an abnormal PAP and she had cryosurgery and she's been fine. Her's was pretty bad, because they told her to have a baby fairly soon, because they couldn't guarantee she'd be able to later on. Anyway, she had her baby and she has never had another problem. The baby is now 14. Her PAPs have been clear ever since.

MargaretB

Well, I didn't make it to boot camp this am, as hubby had the day off and thought I would let him sleep in.

Iris, glad you liked the pic - I have a girlfriend who celebrates her birthday month, so it's never too late.

Cheri, checking in to see if you've found out about your leg.

Vickie, hope your birthday day is going great. Do you have to have a myspace account to view the pics?

Mandy, you have reason to celebrate tomorrow - last chemo hurray.

Nicki, good luck at the onc today - those appts always give me the queasies until I hear the all clear. Hope things go well for your sis.

Brenda, I haven't signed up for a myspace account either - no time. It's hard enough keeping up here.

Marisa, cute pic for Peter - I hope he sees it because I do miss him. Sending positive thoughts for your friend.

Shokk, I'm with you, I don't dread birthdays any more. Bridezilla - that's my daughter right now!

Liz, congrats on the bathroom.

Madison, hope your daughter feels better soon.

All of you living where it's been hotter than hades, how are you doing it? It's a quite comfortable 78 or so outside. It was 91 when I was in Sacramento Saturday. I will be in Las Vegas this weekend and checked the 10 day forecast - 104 - 110 every day this coming weekend and the pool cabanas are rented.:-(

Ok, back to work - lunch is over. This working for a living gets old quick.

Margaret

newvickie

Margaret...your pm box is full!
myspace.com/pinkstock07

you can ask to be added as a friend or I can send you the password so you can comment etc.
bbl...still at work...aauugghhh
Vickie

newvickie

oh...
Amber is going to be just fine!!! Because I said so!!!

Big party for Mandy's last chemo tomorrow...shall we take her on the magic carpet as it seems its getting a bit dusty lately?

nosurrender

((( Cheri ))) I have two family members who had this. IT IS VERY TREATABLE AND IS NOT- I REPEAT- NOT LIKE A REGULAR CANCER DIAGNOSIS!!!!
That is why we get paps- to catch this when it is still contained and removable. BOTH people in my family had theirs removed through cryo-surgery, which means freezing it off. And after it was off they were free of it.
One of them, my cousin, had to go back again to get another cryosurgery about two years later and she hasn't had a problem since.
I know you feel like the Beast is setting up house in your livingroom. He isn't.
AMBER IS GOING TO BE OK.
REALLY!
Just let's get her treated so this is all behind both of you.

((((BIG LOVE))))

g

MelodyinAZ

Cheri,

Hugs and prayers for you and Amber. With Amber in the middle of the circle, things are going to be just fine. We will all be sending prayers in your direction.

Melody

choca1711

Cheri big hugs to you and to Amber. Like some of the other ladies, I think the 3 here is referring to the PAP and does not mean that she has stage 3 cancer. My friend was in the same situation several years ago. They removed a so-called "cone" of her cervix and she has had no problems at all since.
I understand your frustration and anger and fear. Some days it seems like we have just kinda gotten through one crisis when along comes the next. But hang in there Cheri - and know that you are surrounded by love and prayers from everyone in the circle.

Liz - congrats on finishing the bathroom. So what's the next project?

Thinking of you all and sending hugs and chocolate xxxx
Elaine

Madison

Cheri, sending you and Amber prayers.....you are surrounded by all of us.........

CasinoGirl

cheri,

Sending ((BIGHUGS)) to you and Amber.

Anonymous

Well, so much for breaking out the bubbly to celebrate my last treatment. My white blood cell count is too low so I am DELAYED until next Wednesday (the 22nd) #%*&&!!** I am so bummed out about that! I cried on the drive home. This delays my surgery now buy 2 weeks, which in turn delays my rads and ultimately my trip to Mexico. I was planning to go the first week of December but now won't be done 'til Christmas and we likely won't go away now until low season and after my daughter finishes her mid terms - so it's looking like late January or early February.

I know this is not the end of the world but I was so looking forward to having my LAST chemo tomorrow and also feeling rather full of myself for not having delays (no neupogen or Neulasta shots here in Canada - not standard practice as we don't do dose dense) I thought it was my determination and my physical strength...what a lot of krap! I've clearly just been lucky!

Oh well, I guess I should look on the bright side - I get a week of feeling (mostly) good, my hair is starting to grow a little and it will get another week to grow (then likely fall out again but it is fun to pet my head) and it's our 18th wedding anniversary this Sunday so me and hubby can go on a date and I will feel good.

I'm sorry to be so negative - it's just so deflating to think you're going for your last treatment only to find out you have to wait another 8 days...

Oh yeah, to top it all off, I gained 2 pounds...but that wasn't a total surprise as I just got back from vacation and many goodies were consumed. Today is the 5th anniversary of my beloved dog, Percy's death and the weather reflects my mood - overcast, cloudy and grey.

Tomorrow will be a better day - I hope today is a good day for all of you!

The above is part of a post I posted in the chemo thread...I have now just read the posts here and want to add my prayers and hugs for Cheri and Amber. I don't know anything about cervical cancer but what the others have written sounds very promising and POSITIVE! I hope that is comforting to you both...I will keep you in my prayers.

I am so sorry now for whining about my own situation - which really isn't that bad.

Hope you're all having a GOOD day!
Mandy

Anonymous

Well the appointment with the Onc was Status Quo. I dont even know how to explain everything cause its so crazy. He sees me first. I look healthy. He is switching me to insurance only, what a relief - as I told him I cant afford all the visits and blood work. He explained to me why he likes to do the CA15-5 and CEA. Says he has found alot of people with mets at early stages. About 8 months before symptoms would show up. So I trust this guy since Ive known professionally for 30 years. He does CBC's in his office. So I had that done too.

Then we go into the room next door where my sister is. She looks just like me or should I say I look like her since Im younger. Anyways thought he saw some immature white blood cells and thats why he wanted to do a bone marrow. But he listened to what we both had to say, ordered a more sophisticated blood test as she does not want a bone marrow test done. He would be looking for Leukemia - but her WBCs although elevated are staying about the same. So her White blood cells were 11,000. Then he look s at me and says "your are 13,000." So now he is doing a smear on me! Im not worried about either of us one bit! He is a Hematologist in addition to being an Oncologist. He is just being careful.

Mandy: I know that you are disappointed. Seems like this Journey nevers allows us to make plans. Likes to toy with our brains. Right now you just want to get everything over with so you can get back to some normalcy. So if your vacation is postponed, look at it this way. You have one heck of a Christmas and New Years. Cause when those Holidays are over, you have this trip to look forward to.

MargaretB: You didnt do boot camp and I didnt go swimming. Its 85 but not humid and I was just too tired after working and MD appointment. When the nurse was weighing me, I weight 20 pounds lighter from the last time I was there. Then I realized I had my hand resting on a table. So the final verdict on his scale was that I lost 6 pounds. Grrrrrrrr! My sister weights 7 pounds less than me, and I look thinner, so go figure that one out.

Marisa: Just saying hello!



Liz: Feeling Hot Hot Hot? Just remember, in 2-3 weeks, Fall will start approaching and we will have passing memories of this high humidity. Stay coooooool! This song is for you my dear friend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcIP5w4H6Dw

Cheri: Boy you got alot of good advice and information from our sisters. Staging is way different in breast cancer than it is with pap smears. Just sending big hugs to you and Amber - as no one wants to hear any abnormal results. Im still so worried about your leg. Thought about it all day long. Gotta get that fixed first so you can be there for Amber.

Jan: Another big party this week-end. It does sound like fun though, just wish you didnt have to be the one doing all the work. I have a baby shower Saturday afternoon, and then a Birthday party Saturday night. DH and I are taking 2 cars so I can sneak out if I get tired.

WildJan: I saw Tiger win too. Its was heartwarming. He is one special person.



Lini: 45 minutes to go what would normally take 15 minutes. But, Im not giving up. I wake up at 5am every morning. Will leave even earlier tomorrow. Chicago, what is it good for? 1) Traffic 2) Highest gas prices in the USA right now. 3) Terrible winters. But we have good pizza.

Madison: Man, sounds like your daughter has one heck of a stomach virus. Food poisoning or not. I have seens the 3 day stomach flu recently here in Chicago. Just hoping she feels better by tomorrow.

OK, I know I have missed many of you. Still know that I love ya. Leaving early and then getting home late really took away some of my computer time. And tomorrow will be worse. Unless I start getting up at 4am!

Have a wonderful evening.

Nicki

neesie

Post deleted by adrionna

neesie

HIGH FIVE, DAMN SAM AND WHOOPY POOP TOO.........I BEAT THE STUPID INVALID THING...................YUP, THEY TRIED TO GET ME BUT I HAD IT COPIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NANANANANANANANANA.........CYBER MONSTER!

Hugs,
Denise

marshakb

OK girls, we need to get Cheri in the center of the circle right now. Her leg situation may be extremely serious and it looks like she is heading to Iowa (7 hours away) to the hospital. They are worried this has to do with the hardware. Will be back later to post more. She is in a really shitty place right now and needs to be as protected as possible. Marsha

Naniam

Marsha, I have just kind of scrolled and glanced at messages to see if anything from Cheri. Saw the news on Amber and that was enough. I take it you have talked with Cheri about her appointment regarding her leg. I was so afraid this was getting way to serious; I know we all have worried about it - dad rat it this just upsets me to no end.

I have just a moment as my GD is pulling on me to chase her (I have been and I'm sweating like crazy. Please if you talk to Cheri - tell her how much we all love and are praying for her. Please keep us posted. Will try to check in later.

Hi to everyone - didn't mean to slight anyone. OK, gotta go, this little girl is ACTIVE!!!!

Hugs, brenda

Anonymous

Marsha: I think the reality is, that many of us have healthcare backgrounds and from Cheri's description we were pretty worried about her.

Just put Cheri in the middle of the circle. And hope for the quickest medical intervention for the situation.

Nicki

Sandra1957

Sending prayers of comfort and healing to you Cheri.

Madison

Checking in on Cheri...........OMG.....time to circle her with prayers.....