Hi Ladies,
It's been 6 months since I last posted, but I have been quietly checking in every now and then :-)
I just really wanted to ask some advice, and to give everyone a heads-up to the subject matter as it is certainly something that was never mentioned to me during my appointments!
Due to the cancer having spread down into the vagina (hence staged 4b) the brachtherapy (and external rads) were brought all the way down, not just up by my cervix. I'd handled all my treatment well, and responded really well too :-) Had some of the usual side effects, nothing I couldn't handle lol Anyhooo....I really suffered after the brachytherapy. Maybe I'd hit my wall but boy I suffered. It was like an open wound down there :-( couldn't sit, couldn't stand for long, so sore, couldn't pee without crying in pain - douching wasn't helping. After speaking to various people I got referred to the skin clinic at the Sussex Cancer Centre and the wonderful nurse took one look and gave me "Nu-gel". This is amazing stuff and everyone needs to pass it on!! The relief was instant, and the following week she discharged me saying i'd healed!
So - during all of this i'd been checking progress with a mirror, and noticed a white area at the entrance...paranoia kicked in but then i realised it was probably just inflamation or scar tissue. At my 1st follow-up a couple of weeks ago it turns out it was vaginal stenosis?! My onc asked me the usual questions about how I's been etc and then wanted to examine me...except she couldn't because she couldn't get in! I'd basically closed up down there....healed so well i'd healed closed lol (seriously, you have to laugh about it!!) She said she'd only ever seen it after a year or so, never after 6 weeks. I think should I be panicking....This of course meant she couldn't feel the cervix to see how i'm getting on so examined through the back door (sorry ladies!) and thankfully said she couldn't feel any mass. Hurrah! Surgery was mentioned depending on how deep the adhesion was :-/ wasn't lookinf forward to that after everything else lol
The following week I met with a gynae-onc surgeon who thankfully was able to "break through"...not without discomfort but over quickly with no need for surgery. Strange though...felt like waters breaking as there'd obviously been a build-up of fluid. I was so relieved because he'd been talking about me possibly having been "obliterated" down there and needing reconstructive surgery?! omg I left that day armed with a natty set of dilators and instructions to have as much sex as possible as that is apparently the best exercise loll (need to find a chap first though, ladies ;-) )
So...after having patiently read my waffle I was wondering if anyone else has had or come across this?! I was expecting inflammation and tightening (not necessarily a bad thing after childbirth!) but not sticking together!
And how are you getting on with dilators? I'm still on smallest size...almost afraid to move up but know I must. Oh - and i've also started with a few hot flushes and get major night sweats. the ball is rolling for HRT, but is it normal to feel "period-y"?! I swear at the mo I have mild period pain....don't want to get paranoid hhaha
Take care ladies & thanks for your patience. Sending you all big hugs and positive vibes :-D
Tracy x
