Recovery

Hi

I'm sorry to see that no one has felt able to share their experiences with you yet after I directed you to this group from new to the Community.

If you don't get any responses you could post your question in ask a nurse and one of the specialist nurses will respond within 2 working days.

x

Hello Runladyrun,

This is my first post on this group. I find it difficult to think and talk about what happened to me but felt that I should try to respond in the absence of any other replies.

I had surgery including lymph node removal in June. I  took a long  time to recover - was in hospital for over a week - and then just didn't seem to heal. I was initially  given the  all clear but then needed another biopsy on an area of concern at my first follow up appointment. Fortunately I have just learnt that it is not malignant. I will need regular follow ups but no further treatment for now. 

I think that we both need to remember that we have had major surgery and that healing takes time. However I was able to return  to work after just a month which I found very helpful. We are all different and I am lucky in that I have a desk job but returning to normality and a routine helped me enormously giving me something else to think about. If you are not ready to go back to work yet that is ok too - you need to do what is right for you - but  is there something else that you could  do that would keep your mind occupied so that you are not worrying about your health? Or it may be I am in denial and just need to face up to everything. I don't know.

Look after yourself. All the best.

Seven weeks isn’t a long time for this type of surgery,I had the same and whilst the Vulva surgery healed more quickly the Lymphodenectomy took a few months to completely heal and recover from.Fortunately being retired I didn’t have work to worry about.I hope you start to feel better soon x

Thanks for your reply I feel much better knowing that it has taken someone else a while to recover o guess it’s just a matter of patience and time.

take care  

Thank you for your reply it is appreciated.

Take care 

HI Runladyrun

I had a radical partial vulectomy and lymph node removal both sides  for a total of 18. One malignant node and I also had reconstructive surgery at the same time using thigh muscle to reconstruct. I had 23 rad treatments also. I have been off work since July 29th and will return around the middle of November. I would not worry how much time you need to take off work and you will know when you are ready to return to work. I felt bad for taking off so much time also but it would not be good for me to return when I still have leg pain and fatigue from radiation treatments. We need time to let our body heal from so much trauma. I wish you the best and if you have anymore questions please feel free to ask.

Best wishes

Gizmom

No worries, Runladyrun!  This really takes time.  I had chemo & radiation after a major vulvectomy (no lymph node removal though) and was out for 6 months.  It was also difficult when i came back.  I have been back for almost 4 months now and finally feel normal.  Take your time - going back to work will be stressful enough without going back before you are ready.  This was major surgery and so give yourself time to heal.

All the best!

Hi sorry for delay I’m eight weeks post second surgery for a hemivulvectomy and bilateral sentinel lymph node removal. I left hospital with one of my node wounds leaking and eventually it popped open a tiny but dramatic experience. This happened several times and I ended up having four lots of antibiotics. It has also caused pubis and groin lymphedema. 

I’m not going back to work until January, I’m a teacher. I had my first surgery end of July but they didn’t get clear margins. I totally underestimated how tired and uncomfortable i would still be.

good luck and rest up x