New member - very stressful due to HPV positive

[Bunny2Legs]

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to get some help here...

I just give birth to my beautiful daughter last year and was found out HPV 16 positive and high grade abnormalities to my cervical tissue. I’m waiting for the colposcopy to be done.

The abnormal tissue change will eventually lead to cervical cancer. There’s not much I can do about it. Usually the immune system will clear the virus but not for me unfortunately. That’s why my cervix starts to change. Even the abnormal tissue is cut through surgery, it will grow again if the HPV16 is active. 70% of cervical cancer is caused by this virus. I don’t know what the colposcopy will say about my condition but based on the Pap test, it doesn’t look good. I may get cancer already.

My partner and family have been very supportive but I’m still so stressful, sad and anxious especially my baby’s so young. I don’t know how can I minimise the stress and get adequate sleep especially when I need a good immune system to fight for the virus😭

Any tips?

Many thanks!

[white knight]

Hi Bunny, welcome

Thankyou for sharing and I hope I can help just a little bit.

I'm not familiar with your condition and we Community Champions base our answers on our knowledge and experience.

I just returned from Perth (I'm from country Victoria) where my school friend I've known for 52 years has had pancreatic cancer for 3 years now. It is one of the most harshest cancers in terms of recovery.

What I could "bring to the table" was some ideas/recommendations for meditation and to maximise his positivity. Our brains have much untapped ability we never see. While in this situation you need to add to your will power and remain very strong but also allow for your down periods, let them come and when ready to bounce back do so at fever pitch....as much as you can do.

I often recommend threads on Beyond Blue. We have a massive library here of threads to help our members. In your case I'd like you to read just the first post of each thread (unless you want to read further) to "get the picture that I am painting".

Sleep is a concern as your anxiety grows. I mention in the first thread how I've used - muscle tensioning exercises, as one asset to overcome anxiety and sleep well. I still do it after 32 years, each night when I enter bed.

Family and friends support is important but don't be surprised if that wains every now and then. My friend kept telling me that some of his friends don't visit as often as they used to "and I'm dying". Yet during the 4 days I was there his friends did contact him and had very good reasons why they hadn't. Cradle your friends even though your life will be stressed.

Here is the threads. Use GOOGLE.

Beyondblue topic how I eliminated anxiety

Beyondblue topic 30 minutes can change your life

Beyondblue topic Inner peace, the glory of being YOU

Beyondblue topic Advice please, my bucket is full

Beyondblue topic worry worry worry

Beyondblue topic Being positive – what’s the secret?

Beyondblue topic Feeding your brain

Beyondblue topic focus and never give up

Beyondblue topic switching mindsets

Beyondblue topic Meditation – words of wisdom –it helped me for 25 years

Beyondblue topic the positives of fear

I hope they help. I'm glad you have sort membership here, there are some wonderful people here that can help out. There is the BB café and many threads ongoing. Feel free to repost anytime.

TonyWK

[Nurse_Jenn]

Hi Bunny2Legs,

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on becoming a mama. I am a new mum and can relate to the sleep deprivation and adjustment required to the exciting role of becoming a mother. I have had some personal and professional experience with HPV. The best way to help relieve your anxiety is to try and stay in the moment with your baby and know that you are getting the best medical care in the world. You are booked for a colposcopy so they can get a clearer look for any abnormal cells or cell changes. Many many people have the HPV virus but most people in Australia who have HPV do not develop full blown cancer (regardless of type). This is due to screening and early pick up. Australia is actual so low in prevalence of cervical cancer is almost classified as a rare cancer. I refer you to the Cancer Institute of NSW for your reference to some info. https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/cervical-screening-nsw/cervical-cancer/about-cervical-cancer

This does not take away from the fact that you are anxiously pending a colposcopy. If there are precancerous cells that have developed, there are strategies to remove these that will be recommended to you such as a cone biopsy. This is the procedure I had due to the same situation you are in and I have had no further complications and all follow up exams have been clear.

Dealing with your anxiety while being a mum is tough but I encourage you to stay in the moment and await your colposcopy results and then deal with the next step whatever that may be. Don't jump to far ahead as the outcome can only be determined through examination and making up 'what if' stories is taking away the energy that you could be investing in your new baby.

There is an app called Smiling Mind that can help you to stay in the moment through a practice called Mindfulness. This allows you to let worried thoughts pass without them staying with you and ruminating around and around and around. If you would like further support, there is a program called Mindspot that has treatment programs that help people with worry online and it can be found here www.mindspot.org.au

Having supportive people around you through this stressful time is wonderful and I also encourage you to write out your thoughts of worry either in a journal or use this forum. Once they are out of your head, you can let your mind focus on what is in front of you until you get your test results.

Wishing you the best possible outcome,

Nurse Jenn