Hi, my Mom has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Urethra cancer. She has had chemo, radiation, brachytherapy, and now immunotherapy. There has been no spread except from the urethra to the bladder, but doctors consider it all the primary tumor. No lymph node involvement. Recent MRI and CT Scans show the tumor is shrinking and no new tumor activity. However, they still want to do a major surgery called an anterior exenteration, where they will remove her bladder, uterus, and a portion of her vagina and reconstruct the vagina and create a urostomy. She currently has bilateral nephrostomy (urine drains from her kidneys to external bags) tubes but is having increased infections so they don't want that to be a permanent solution.
Anyway, she is going to be 80 in October and is worried about recovery from such a major operation. She is a very young 80...exercises almost every day, is out and about trapping/neutering/releasing cats (yes....a cat lady, haha), socializes with friends, family, etc. She is a busy bee.
She would love to hear stories of other older ladies who have been through something similar. Does anyone here fit that description? Or, even you younger gals, if you have advice, we would welcome it!
Thank you,
Sandra
ByeByeCancer . Hi Sandra. Sorry I can't help with your question but let me welcome you to this friendly group. I am sure one of the ladies will be along with some help when they pick up your post. Best wishes.
Hi ByeByeCancer
I am a bit younger than your mum-I’m 62-but I have had a total pelvic exenteration for a different cancer, and this included losing my bladder and all of my vagina, so I can understand that you’d be concerned about the surgery and recovery.
What I would say is that your mum being fit and young for her age is the most important factor here. The recovery can be hard, but doctors would not considering doing this surgery unless they felt your mum could get through it and recover.
I have a urostomy, and also a colostomy as I had my rectum removed too. I didn’t have my vagina reconstructed-I didn’t see the need to go through the extra surgery required to do that when it wasn’t a necessity, so I would say it’s perfectly possible to have all of your vagina removed and not have a reconstruction. Having a urostomy means it is much easier to manage than nephrostomy tubes and I personally have not ever had an infection in the 4.5 years since I had my surgery.
I’m happy to answer any of your questions if you’d like to know more.
Sarah xx
