clare reynolds
My name is clare.
In 2015 when I was 41 years of age when I received a phone call from my GP surgery to say I needed to see the GP urgently, following the results of my recent smear. The appointment was made and I hung up and burst into tears. I had a fear of dread but this coupled with losing both my parents to cancer overwhelmed me. My husband was fantastic and said we would deal with anything together and that he would come with me. I went the see the GP who explained that I would need to go to Gynaecological Unit at Salford Royal for further tests.
On the 14th September 2015 I went to the hospital with my husband I was shaking and very worried but he did his best to keep me calm. I was seen by Sister Debbie Cain and before I even said hello back to her I blurted out...“Have I got cancer”. Her response was no and they needed to do a more thorough check. Whilst I was there, I was kept as calm as possible and spent most of it talking to another nurse who was assisting called Lesley, they were both amazing.
I had a procedure where I had to have a speculum inserted and my cervix was numbed with a local anaesthetic, they used a heated wire to burn away the HPV cells that they could see. This was absolutely PAIN free!! I was told that I would have to return for a follow up appointment in 3 months’ time and this again was a pain free event with my favourite Sister Debbie. I had to go back to the hospital for my follow up smears in 12 months’ time and on the 7th September 2016, I was informed that everything was normal and that I did not need to return. Whilst I was elated with this news, I was disappointed as the medical staff and treatment were amazing. I even sent Debbie and Lesley a thank you card for their care and compassion.
On the 15th November 2019 I attended the nurse at my GP surgery for my 3-yearly smear. I was extremely nervous and my nurse was super understanding of why I was so anxious. She confirmed what she would be doing and gave me time to get myself together, I find this process uncomfortable but never embarrassing. I am not worried what the nurse may think, if I have waxed or what I look like, this procedure saved my life, if I had not gone in 2015, I would never have known about the HPV cells loitering in the cervix.
It is with great relief that the results of my most recent test are all clear and I do not need to return to the hospital. If I can give anyone advice about the smear, it is a short procedure which is over in seconds. The nurse does not care what you look like downstairs, if you have waxed or have a vajazzle, they want to ensure that you are in your best health.