Vulva cancer

Hi Lizzy58  you must of been so sore going through Covid with Lichen Sclerosus with no help. I am so sorry you had to endure that. 
Waiting for the results of the lymph nodes is very daunting. I hope you do not have to wait too long for that. 
Have you mentioned the swelling to your gp. You may need some more antibiotics, but this also may be where the lymph nodes were removed? Not knowing which ones were taken and from where it will be worth asking as fluid can build up after lymph node removal. 

How are you feeling in yourself. That is a major op you have had. 
 

Hi, the swelling only came back yesterday, so I'll see how it goes. I still have open access to the sau for another week. I'm doing ok thanks. Just all new to me and I don't know what to expect

Hi Lizzy58

i am so sorry to about what you are going through, i also had a vulvectomy 3 year’s ago, removal of lymph nodes in the groin, and the wait for results from that felt like ages, but thankfully all clear, one of the lymph node sites became swollen and infected and took 2 courses of antibiotics to clear so maybe you need more. It’s rubbish dealing with that on top of the vulvectomy so my thoughts are with you. I also had nerve pain it did take a while but it did go away, hope yours does too. 
i remember feeling very alone after my surgery as after care was not that great and was not told about any potential complications or side effects so like you didn’t  know what to expect, all i can say is, i hope everything settles for you soon and keep reaching out for support. 
take good care.

Thank you, hopefully everything will settle, results will be fine. Hope you don't mind me asking, but how long did the vulva area take to heal. I still feel numb in areas, thankfully no bleeding and healing ok 

Hello Lizzy58,

It is such a daunting and scary thing to go through, especially during and after Covid with delays etc.  I had the same operation, with the addition of removal of the clitoris.  One of my lymph nodes for swollen and went for an ultrasound scan, which showed all clear and the liquid was drained and that was also clear of cancer.  I hope you don’t have to wait too long for the results, as it is awful when not knowing.

You asked Biggysmalls how long it took for the vulva to heal, I hope you don’t mind me answering on my experience.  I had my op. In June 2023 and it took much longer than I thought, but my age may have had something to do with that, I was 73 then.  It was about 8 weeks before my walking was back to normal and got my usual daily distances to what they were pre op. Sitting down comfortably took a lot longer and was glad of soft cushions.  I still have slight nerve ending discomfort but my surgeon is pleased that everything looks fine, apart from dry skin on the scar tissue, so have to apply cream.  Just be kind to yourself and rest when your body tells you, it is early days yet.

Don’t forget that we are all here for you and ask anything that you want.  
Take care,

Elaine x

Thank you for your reply, I too had the clitoris removed. It's only 3 weeks after my surgery. 

Hi lizzy

it took about 3 weeks to fully settle, I did have 2 lots of antibiotics the second course of antibiotics seemed to speed things up, hope you get better soon 

Hi again, in my previous message I was talking about the lymph node area, the vulvectomy took about 4 weeks before i could start walking about again and another 4 weeks before I felt able to go back to work, I sit all day so cushions were needed, I had a revision operation of my scar as I was experiencing some tightness and that was a much quicker recovery time and was back at work 6 weeks after. 
take all the time you need to heal well x

Looks like a visit back to the SAU with the left groin. I am walking about at a slow pace. Where i had the cancer taken away, I still have some numbness, don't think it's healed yet. I'll know more on my follow up appointment, which i hope isn't too long 

It took a while for my left lymph node to heal as the surgeon had to go deeper on that side as they were swollen so takes time to heal