HSIL/ VIN3

Hi BlossomSunshine 

I’m sorry to hear what has happened with you-I don’t have a similar experience to share myself, but if you search the group (use the magnifying glass top left of the page and search VIN) you will find previous posts which mention this.

I will tag Diamonddogs as I see that she had posted about a wide local excision, so if she sees this she might be able to share her experience with you. 

I understand your mix of feelings about this, but hope everything goes well when you have your pre op and eventual surgery. By bumping your post here, others may also see it who will reply to you.

Sarah xx

Hello BlossomSunshine!  I'm happy to discuss this with you. I underwent the procedure under similar circumstances to yours in April 2024. I was HSIL/VIN3. 

I decided to proceed with the WLE rather than any other options (like laser) because my oncologist felt it would likely be a more permanent and less superficial solution, in my situation.  She was able to send the excised bit to the lab and see that she had achieved mostly-clean margins - with only a tiny bit still not clear. She is not worried, because on that tiny bit, she HAD lasered, and as she put it, "toasted the heck out of it." I'm now on an every-six-month check for recurrence.

The surgery itself wasn't terrible, though the recovery period was tiresome and lengthy. I had quite a lot of stitches and glue, and had to be extremely careful so as not to burst the stitches. As a woman not used to being sedentary, it was quite a challenge. :)  My full recovery period was about 6 weeks, though I was fully functional after 4 weeks -- just had to be cautious for a bit longer. 

There were many things that were helpful to me in terms of comfort and in terms of healing faster, less pain, less itching. If you're interested in any of that, just let me know. There are also additional groups that are specific to VIN that I've found super-helpful regarding specific supplies, tricks, techniques to get through this with flying colors. God bless the internet (sometimes)

So sorry you are going through this too, but you're strong and you will get through it. 
let me know if I can help.

Thanks Sarah! 

Thanks so much for sharing this-I’m sure BlossomSunshine will appreciate it.

I hope things continue to be well with you and wishing you all the best for your next check up!

Sarah xx

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with me. It’s comforting to hear from someone who has been through a similar situation and come out on the other side. I really appreciate the detailed insight into why you chose the WLE and your oncologist’s approach. It’s reassuring to know that even with some remaining margins, the laser treatment was thorough.

I’m glad to hear that you are doing well now and that your recovery, while challenging, was successful. It’s helpful to have a realistic understanding of what to expect, especially regarding the recovery period. As a 30-year-old mother of three with a fiancé who works full time, I’m trying to figure out how to manage my recovery while balancing family responsibilities. Do you have any tips for handling daily activities during the recovery period?

I would love any recommendations you might have for managing discomfort and promoting healing. I’m also interested in the groups you mentioned that focus on VIN. Any specific supplies or techniques you found particularly helpful would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you again for your encouragement and offer to help. It means a lot to me.