i had bowel cancer 2 years ago and everything went well just surgery and aftercare bloods and scans, i went in to have a large lump removed from next to my vagina that we already knew was benign, i had a sore on the vulva that nipped when i went for a pee and was bleeding, mentioned it on the morning of my op, he came back after surgery and said everything was fine and he had removed both, i thought that was it..but then he calls me a week later to tell me i have vulva skin cancer, i never worried because i thought he had cut it all away, turns out it was only a bi-opsy, i had to go back as the wound had became infected and another doctor asked how i was and if i was doing okay with the cancer diagnosis and did i need to speak to someone..counsellor, he then went on to explain that i had cancer and the bit they removed was only a tiny bit and will need radiation or chemo, i feel so stupid for not understanding when the surgeon said he would pass me on to oncology i thought it was because i had cancer before and was still getting bloods and scans phone appointments, i was fine with the last one, scared about the surgery but not really worried and no tears...now i am so scared, i am on my own as my partner is now in hospital and does not have long, i don't know when i will see someone or start treatment or what the treatment will involve, i have severe depression, epilepsy and borderline agoraphobia, i live on benefits and now worried how i will get to hospital and back for treatment............i just feel everything is closing in on me, i have always been the practical, organised and in control person who does not worry and just get's on with it.....now i feel like something has gone wrong with me and i am no longer ME.
Hi Nexus4586. Welcome to the group, but I am so sorry you find yourself here. You have been through a lot already with the bowel cancer, and now finding out you have vulva cancer must be such a shock. I am also sorry to hear about your partner. You have such a lot going on right now. Have you thought about your doctors suggestion to see a counsellor? I am not sure if you would be entitled to transport to and from the hospital for treatment. Can I suggest you call the Macmillan support line who can help you with this. They are there 7 days a week from 8am until 8pm on 0808 808 00 00.
I have not had the surgery that you are having, so hopefully someone who has experience of this will be along soon to share their experience with you.
Take care
Hello,
I hope things have become clearer for you now. I recently had vulval cancer removed and am happy to answer any questions if I am able to. Although I didn’t have any chemo or radiation so can’t help on that front. I had a biopsy, followed by a wide local excision to remove what we believed was Pre cancer and then a further operation to remove some more tissue and a node from each side to check there was no further cancer or cells xx
I’m glad things are clearer for you now, although it’s a shame your appointment has fallen on your birthday!
Yes, keep fighting, you can do it! I have everything crossed that they caught it early.
I'm sorry to hear about your husband, I imagine it’s difficult going through this without him. He would have been right though, so please try not to worry, although I appreciate it’s difficult.
No worries at all, happy to talk at any time if I can help at all.
xxx
