Vulva cancer with 27: a personal disease report
I was 27, my son about nine months old and I felt a pressure on mine. Minewere uncomfortable and I didn't feel like itWith my husband. I thought that the strange area would go away, just like with ordinary irritation. My husband, in turn, asked me: "Honey, have it examined." Probably also because he didn't like the sex break. In the meantime we can laugh about it. Even if what should follow was not a laugh at all.
The first steps on the way to the vulva cancer diagnosis
Within six weeks after my complaints occurred, I then had an appointment for. It turned out to be lucky that this position bothered me, because afterwards I know that it could have been unnoticed for a long time.
It was a dark, ulcer -like area with edges that looked like burned. My doctor immediately said: "It doesn't look good, we have to have it examined." The biopsy and the diagnosis quickly followed: I had a very aggressive form of vulva cancer. Cancer that primarily hits older people occurs in older people.
I urgently had to be operated on. During the intervention, my left Labia Minora (the inner vulvalippe) was removed. But the doctors were not sure whether they had caught all of the cancer. Without completely clean edges, the cells can hike. They were concerned that the cancer could have spread to my lymph nodes in the bar. Lymph node groups, because I learned, can not only ward off infections, but also transport cancer cells.
Vulva cancer can also affect more body regions than just the vulva itself
For me it went back to the operation, where two lymph nodes were removed from the bar and then examined. The good news was: there was no cancer to be seen. I was very lucky because I didn't need chemical or radiation therapy. The prospects were good that the cancer had completely disappeared. Nevertheless, a really hard recreational phase followed after this operation.
Without the two lymph nodes, I lost lymph fluid for days. In the meantime, I also had to take care of a little baby-and to make matters worse, the surgical scars on my right bar. The resulting hole just above my thigh was almost as large as a 20 cent coin. Unfortunately, the wound infected so badly and I landed (despite the care and wound cleaning of my husband) back in the hospital with a staphylococcal infection. To date, I have a feeling of numbness in my right thigh. But: the cancer was (first) gone, and that was the most important thing.
At this point I have to mention that I had a skin disease on my vulva all my life: sclerosus. This creates itchy white spots in the genital area, which are not contagious, but lead to leathery skin, scars and a feeling of tension. I had never spoken to anyone about it. The complaints came and went, which is why I simply ignored the problem. I thought that other women might have that too. In the meantime I know how important it is to talk about it. Because doctors: In the inside, there have now been a connection between lichen sclerosus and vulva cancer.
In my second illness, I learned that the symptoms of vulva cancer can look very different
Because of my history, I received regular check -ups from the NHS, the state health service here in Great Britain. During the dates, the lichen sclerosus was also checked for growth and I had to undergo several biopsies. Prevention was the mission - which saved my life. My skin was getting thicker until I was finally diagnosed with cancer in December 2022, 15 years after my first diagnosis. [Note from the editorial team: Although Louise had the same type of squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva twice, the symptoms were different].
The first time the cancer looked as if it had branded edges. This made this form of cancer so aggressive: it penetrates your body like a root, the shoots of which spread. The second time the cancer grew up and herb, which makes it easier to see. This carcinoma resembled skin that grows on the skin. The lichen sclerosus was nothing to get away.
Of course, I had tried everything beforehand to treat the lichen sclerosus - be it steroids or naturopathy. I am-Trainer, eat healthy, move me a lot and deal with me carefully. I did without gluten and dairy products, I took CBD oil. The skin disease never really went away.
After a routine biopsy, I got a call a few weeks later, the day before Christmas Eve 2022. I should please make an MRI date. It literally took my breath away. When asked about the why, the person at the other end of the line could not give me an answer. Communication was grotty. Fortunately, the NHS doctor had given me her contact details and I immediately wrote her an email. The next day she called and gave me clarity: “I'm very sorry, I hadn't expected that at all. But it's cancer. "
Vin had previously been found: vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. This is a preliminary stage of cancer. Cell changes occur in the vulva, which can later become cancer. Actually, this is a slow process that lasts well over ten years. And yet I was again the exception that confirms the rule.
At the time of the call, I only knew that the cancer was back, not whether it had spread. I still had no scans or results in my hand. The time of ignorance during the holidays, with which many excruciating thoughts went hand in hand, was one of the most difficult moments for me. My wholeWas there, we had planned a skiing holiday and the next examination was only in two weeks. My husband and I didn't want to worry unnecessarily without knowing exactly what we had to expect. So we said the other for the time being.
We all drove on the skiing holiday and every morning I woke up with the feeling of having a brick in the chest. I thought to myself: “Oh my god, I don't get air. Will I see my three children grow up? " I thought all the time how I could best prepare my sons mentally. After my return, I finally got my MRI and CT scans and learned that the cancer had not spread. I was finally able to share the news with my family.
Construction of the clitoral hood: Sexual lust was still possible for me after the disease
I went to a new gynecologist, John Butler, the medical director of the Lady Garden Foundation in the Royal Marsden Hospital in London - a worldwide leading cancer center. I immediately felt in good hands with him. My husband also came to the appointment. He is a very technology-savvy person, so he took many photos with his iPad (including zoom-ins), which, despite everything, made me laugh. This cancer was also removed in early 2023.
This time there were two places: one directly above mineAnd another further on the left. Due to the interventions, a large part of my inner labia is no longer there. However, Mr. Butler was able to construct my clitoral hood in parts with the help of a piece of tissue. He did a really good job.
I was not sure how it would be around my libido. For me it was honestly secondary. I just wanted to get rid of the cancer. Nevertheless, of course I thought that at some point I would like to have my old life again. But I was also lucky in misfortune in terms of pleasure: the clitoris is a very deeper and razed nerve - and the clitoral hood, which was affected by me from cancer, is only a small part of it. So these nerves raged well again, and my feeling in the colatoris is still there. I am not as sensitive as before, but my sexual sensation is about 65 percent back, which is good.
If I had just been diagnosed or if I were about to read, I would like to read a story like mine. Simply to have the certainty that everything can be okay again. You will still be able to have sex, you will still feel - not as before, but: that's okay. Although I can't speak for everyone, after all, I did not have chemotherapy or radiation therapy. But at the time it helped me a lot of talking to myself: "I get through it and everything will be fine."
The recovery phase is not only physically exhausting - you should also pay attention to mental self -care
After I went through all of this, I would like to say to others: "Trust your instinct." If something doesn't feel right, listen to this inner voice. Go and be examined, what do you have to lose? Don't be stopped by feelings of shame - at some point. Your health is more important. Go to the examination and then treat yourself to a piece of cake.
I also find it important to know your own body. How many times have I heard from others that they don't know what their vulva looks like or they can examine them. Grab a mirror, I think that's the best advice. My friends and I speak openly about this part of our body - who deserves care, like the rest.
I also communicate openly and honestly with my children. Fortunately, they see that I have recovered and that I am fine. When I told them about the interview today, they found it great. The three know that it is important to create awareness. And: focus on what gives you boost. For me it was my movement, my dog and my children.
I always felt very comfortable in my body and looked after a good relationship with him. Now, however, I deal with him more carefully, especially because the cancer came back. I still have to remain vigilant.
Having cancer on the vulva changes your sexual feeling. He changes you physically and mentally. After the diagnosis and the operations, you somehow have to get back from the patient: find it back to your own self.
I am convinced that things don't just happen to you. You have control over how to react to a situation. I'm always looking for the positive. As for the condition of my vulva: I have to take care of you. She went through a lot, but I don't love her less. We have changed and developed together and made it to the other end. Sure, we wear traces of it, but we are still here. I can lead a long, healthy life. And I'm really grateful for that.
This article comes from our glamor college: inside from UK.
