Connect
← Return to Vulvar Cancer: Anyone else?
Discussion
Comment receiving replies
@teedee66 I was diagnosed early April. Had surgery in June. Right radical vulvectomy, left wide local excision of the vulva, and partial bilateral vaginectomy. Many biopsies under anesthesia and two weeks later the "big one". I feel I have a great surgeon. Young and conservative. May need more treatment later because a little cancer remains. She wanted to preserve nodes and urethra. I'm older and looked at quality of life issues.
It's painful and a challenge to heal. Tear, infection. Lack of emotional support. To whom does one talk about vulvar cancer?
Replies to "@teedee66 I was diagnosed early April. Had surgery in June. Right radical vulvectomy, left wide local..."
@kate14 Sorry to learn of your situation. I’m in therapy currently. It helps to talk about my frustration and being unlucky enough to have this horrible health challenge. I also discuss with a longtime best friend. She’s pretty good at listening and understanding my frustrations. Hope you find the right outlet.
Connect
@kate14 How terrible for you to have to go through this and to deal with the trauma. When I had my diagnosis (basal cell carcinoma of the vulva) and surgery (partial vulvectomy), I talked with people I trusted who did listen to me. That's important for you, too. For whatever reason, I never cried about this--just dealt with it as it came. Healing is a long, slow process, both physically and mentally. Talking with someone you trust is vital. If you can't find that person, then talk or write to yourself. When I was dealing with breast cancer, I wrote emails to myself to express my concerns and my depression. We don't have any local groups to help with this unmentionable subject, do we? Write it down, think about it, feel it and soak it up like a sponge. We are still alive and have whatever time we have to find small pieces of life to enjoy and appreciate.