Hello ladies.
Well yesterday I had my check-up. Different consultant, nice young man - not as dreamy as the other!
All went well, my recent fears about recurrence appear to be unfounded. He listened to what seemed to be an endless list of what's going on lately and was very thorough in his examination. He asked about my resumption of sex life, non existent, and continued use of dilators, yes, but hate them. When I mentioned my alternative toy he had a twinkle in his eye and said use whatever methods work for you - important to keep the vaginal canal open. Sometimes feels like the Manchester Ship Canal (or the Suez LOL)
I talked about my change in bowel habits, mentioning I'd had diarrhoea a few times in the weeks following brachy but now, a year later I was experiencing the need to go almost after eating, cramping pains and frequently up in the middle of the night. I think it appears to be normal for the bowel to take quite some time to go back to normal, even a year later.
He asked what I was worried about and I said obviously a recurrence with so many disconnected problems. I'd always been healthy with no issues until the unexpected cancer diagnosis!
Examination with speculum revealed nothing untoward and scar tissue from brachytherapy good. I mentioned occasional smear of blood after dilation use and he said don't worry, the scar tissue around the brachytherapy is very thin even after a year.
Other examination included quite intensive prodding and poking. After he said there wasn't any evidence of any more tumours or growths. The bowel appeared to be in the right place with no evidence of any problems. (How they can work that out I do not know)
Anyway, I'll have another check-up in three months time. I'd mentioned about my chest pains, shortness of breath and shoulder pain and elevated inflammation markers in my blood. He said as my GP has ordered my CT scan for tomorrow the results will go back to him. I can however alert my Oncology team to take a look if need be.
He said he thinks my other problems are totally unrelated to my cancer which is good to know in one way, but worrying in another. I'm waiting to get a date for an ECG, the sort where they hook you up to the machine whilst you're on a treadmill to see how your heart is pumping. Only worry the form mentions possibility of congenital heart failure!!
Anyway, CT scan tomorrow, must remember to drink plenty of water to be hydrated and I'll mention the butterfly thingy if they can get the canula in!
Hugs to all, Barb xx
Hi Barb,
Glad to hear that he doesn't think your new problems are related to your cancer. Hopefully you with have some answers soon. The waiting for tests etc is always the worst bit. Look after yourself in the mean time. Your mention of your alternative toy made me laugh out loud.
Aren't those examinations just so much fun!! I had mine today, my Consultant had 2 nurses in with her. Because before I had my hysterectomy I had 2 wombs, 2 cervix she had them both down the other end having a good look because of having a septum means I have 2 vaginas as well. So there I am practically standing on my head the chair was tipped so far back only able to hear voices as they all had a good look.
I will be having a CT scan because of still having pain in my right side but everything looks okay clinically, so that's good to hear.
Sylvia xx
Dreamweaver Still waiting for date for ECG, yesterday had CT scan with contrast so should hear something, hopefully next week fingers crossed. My consultant is still there, saw him briefly as he came to collect someone from the waiting room on Tuesday. I was supposed to be seeing another consultant, a lady whom I'd not met before but was seen by a doctor in the end. Perhaps my chap prefers to see the younger nubile ladies rather than the flabby old ones like us LOL!
I will ask my CNS why I changed from him, when my appointment came through I queried it as he's a gynaecologist/Oncologist but then so is she apparently.
The one thing I don't like about the hospital is the waiting rooms in the unit cater for pregnant ladies as well as the older ladies who, judging by the worried looks on most of their faces, are there for the less enjoyable reasons. It's hard not to be aware of the young girls happy and swimming with health and the older ladies looking pretty worried. Trouble is it's hard to strike up a conversation easily. There was one lady with her husband and I got the feeling it might have been her first possible cancer consultation, I really felt for her.
Take care, hugs, Barb xx
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Hi MrsBJH. I know when I was waiting in the waiting room which is pretty mixed as its a total gynae hospital which caters for pregnancy as well as cancer and it is a bit strange sometimes. I remember when I went for my genetics consultant there was a mix of young pregnant ladies and much older ladies and I cannot remember who it was now but they said when they were waiting that a child had asked their presumed mum that wasn’t that old lady a bit old to be pregnant, although very innocently said you can understand why some may feel very uncomfortable.
Wow how the year has gone. My oncology consultant is the head guy for a team of gyne oncologists and I wonder if you have a similar thing and thats why your seeing someone else, although it be nice to see the dream boat.
_GBear Xxxx
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