[Elphaba]

I have an appointment with a doctor next Monday. I know they are going to want to do a biopsy, and I don't know what else it could be besides cancer.
I don't even know how long this problem area has been there because I would notice it and then just be too busy and tired to go in to a doctor. I know it's been at least 6 months, because I asked the PA about it back in the spring. I honestly think she was just too stupid to think something might be wrong, but I didn't press the issue, as I certainly hoped it was something that would correct itself with topical medication.
But it hasn't and it's spread. There's 2 lesions that won't heal and quite a lot of brusing/broken blood vessels and it's itchy and a bit tender.
And all I can think of is that I'll be dead before I turn 30 and my baby won't even remember me.

 

[Eggie]

Elphaba

s to you. Try to remain positive until you get the results and even if they find cancer, you can read every day in the newspapers about thousands of brest cancer survivors. I'm not a doctor but I know that you can have a lot of lessions in the breast with out them being that, maybe you can call your doctor so he can give you some choices before thinking about the cancer, that could give you peace of mind until Monday.
I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers

Cheer up! today is already here

 

[Elphaba]

it's actually not my breast. it's my vulva. and i know how extraordinarily rare vulvar cancer is, but I have looked through every medical and women's health book there is and there is nothing that matches up, disease-wise.
this will be my first visit with this doctor, because i've always seen the midwives there, and since i'm not pregnant and almost certainly going to need surgery, i transferred over to the MD side.
even if it's not cancer, i'm probably going to lose a large amount of tissue and that dpesn't exactly sound pleasant either.

 

[BeeandOwlsMum]

I had something that sounds very similar to what you describe. It turned out to be a fungal infection. Topical antifungal cream fixed it.

So it may be something fairly benign, just not diagnosed correctly.
Good luck and I hope it all turns out okay.

 

[BeeandOwlsMum]

Ergh.....double post.

 

[bebe luna]

Oh Elphaba~ big ((((((hugs))))))!!
It can be so scary and frustrating not knowing and left wondering and thinking the worst.
Don't be so sure it is cancer until you are sure, and even then you really should get a 2nd and 3rd evaluation w/ other docs to be absolutely sure!!
I suggest that you seek the assistance of a doctor of Chinese Medicine who practices acupuncture, herbs, and more. They have a lot of wonderful knowledge, experience, and success in treating tough cases such as cancers, HIV, hepatitis, herpes, etc. It could be a truly beneficial complimentary therapy to use alongside Western Medicine.
For now, try not to worry too much. Perhaps try some Rescue Remedy (flower essences) for your nerves, get a massage, and visualize posative outcomes~ including a long healthy life w/ your family.

 

[BeeandOwlsMum]

I had something that sounds very similar to what you describe. It turned out to be a fungal infection. Topical antifungal cream fixed it.

So it may be something fairly benign, just not diagnosed correctly.
Good luck and I hope it all turns out okay.

 

[Elphaba]

bebeluna, i know you weren't trying to be funny but i actually laughed at the thought of getting a practitioner of chinese medicine. i live in a craphole in the deep south. i don't even know where i would have to travel to in order to find someone like that.

thanks for giving me hope that it's just some disgusting fungus. i guess i will take fungi over cancer any day of the week. maybe it's athlete's foot of the crotch or something.

 

[shelbean91]

Quote:

lesions that won't heal and quite a lot of brusing/broken blood vessels and it's itchy and a bit tender

I have something similar to this on my leg and it's caused by my very severe varicose veins. I guess the vein bulges up close to the skin and trips the histamine sensors in the skin- causing the rash, pain, and itch. I'm trying to get insurance to cover the surgery to correct, but they are saying it's cosmetic. Steroid cream is helping. It's really gross looking and very itchy and painful.

I don't know if it's possible to have vulvar vericose veins, though.

I hope you get a good diagonsis.

 

[noodle4u]

(((((ELPHABA))))))
Try to stay positive, hopefully its just a yeast or fungus thing.

 

[supakitty]

Quote:

Originally posted by Elphaba I know it's been at least 6 months, because I asked the PA about it back in the spring. I honestly think she was just too stupid to think something might be wrong...

I'm sorry to read that you had a bad PA experience. I hope the next practitioner you see gives you some answers. I would have to agree with the fungal theory. I'll keep you in my thoughts, I hope everything goes well.

-Laura

 

[Quirky]

Quote:

Originally posted by shelbean91 I don't know if it's possible to have vulvar vericose veins, though.

I had one while pregnant with ds, although it didn't trigger the same reaction. Bleah.

Elphaba, I'll keep my fingers crossed for an innocuous explanation and a speedy resolution!

 

[Irishmommy]

((((Elphaba)))) I'll keep my fingers crossed it's something minor.

 

[Gale Force]

Definitely find someone who can diagnose whether it's a fungal infection. You might have to travel. I am finding that very few alternative doctors have a lot of experience with this. I haven't had such symptoms myself, but in searching for info on candida, I have run across people describing things like this.

Before the biopsy you might even consider seeing if it will react to an anti-fungal cream. I would hate for you to get yourself cut when it is unnecessary.

 

[bebe luna]

Quote:

Originally posted by Elphaba bebeluna, i know you weren't trying to be funny but i actually laughed at the thought of getting a practitioner of chinese medicine. i live in a craphole in the deep south. i don't even know where i would have to travel to in order to find someone like that. thanks for giving me hope that it's just some disgusting fungus. i guess i will take fungi over cancer any day of the week. maybe it's athlete's foot of the crotch or something.

Here is a couple a link to some practioner databases. Perhsps there is someone practicing acupuncture or Chinese Medicine in your area:
http://intrinsicdevelopment.com/links.htm

 

[Lucky Charm]

Stay calm. take a deep breath.

I should talk, i had an ingrown hair in my armpit and i was picking out coffins.

My grandmother had cancer of the vulva, and it didnt hurt her. she had no tenderness at all.

I saw a patient in the ER this weekend who had what you described, only she was in a lot more pain, and it turns out she had a herpes sore that grew...i bet its like the others say, that its some kind of aggressive yeast fungal thing. i think they should "swab" it and then send the swab to be cultured. i would do that first before i'd let them cut me, especially because its the frigging military, and they could give a sh*t about your vulva or vagina. Remeber Elph, these military doctors are the type that cut your head off because you have an earache.

Lisa

 

[Marlena]

Deep breath. And another. And repeat....

Waiting for a diagnosis of something that could be horrible is terrifying. Lots of folks here already noted that there may, in fact, be other possibilities - ones that are not lethal. I know how hard it is, but please try not to work yourself up into a tizzy right now. It won't do any good.

Not to make light of your situation (I've had non-trivial cancer, so I've been there), but about a year ago, I noticed what appeared to be blood in my stool. LOTS of blood in my stool. OHMIGOD. I felt faint. It could only mean a recurrence of my cancer. It must've metastisized. I was a goner, for sure. What would dd do without me???

I got a grip on myself and went to my husband, who's a doc, and said, "Um...I appear to have a lot of what looks like bright red blood in my stool."

Dh, without even looking up, said, "We just had beets the other night, right?"

Right.

So there you go.

Let us know how your appointment goes!

 

[Elphaba]

marlena, LMAO about the beets! my friend brought her toddler over the other day and was proudly feeding her beets, and i was like "just be aware that it will look like she is bleeding from the rectum when you change her diapers tomorrow!" and she was shocked, and happy i told her that.

i'm not as freaked as i was, just hearing about so many other people who have had weird non-cancerous issues with their yonis. one reason i am scared though is that i had a biopsy in the same area 7 years ago, and it turned out to be something benign but that has a correlation with cancer. it's not one of those things where if you have A then you get B, but more like some women with A get B though most of them don't, does that make sense?
and i'm scared to see a new doctor, a man no less. i'm thinking maybe i should have just asked to see the midwives again. is that stupid?

:

 

[Elphaba]

oh and lisa, i don't see military docs! except for that one ER visit last month, i have always gone to the medical college here. the actual medical people are quite good i think, though there are often too many people waiting to be seen and the ancillary staff needs to go on prozac/valium/estrogen ASAP.

 

[goodpapa]

...read my post in this thread on the power of probiotics:
(scroll down to "goodpapa")

http://mothering.com/discussions/sho...n&pagenumber=4

I'm writing as a man who was at every single OBGYN appointment my wife had to bring our boy into this world--- moral support as well as protection against the medical monster.

Our mucosal systems (gastrointestinal, vaginal, etc.) are being destroyed by our modern diet, not the least of which are the powerful antibiotics used in our meat supply.

I used to think they were destroyed by cooking.

I was wrong.

I culture this as a yogurt for my family:

http://jarrow.com/products/JarroDophilusfos.htm

I would also advise it as a douche. L. rhamnosus, especially, is part of a healthy vaginal flora.

Good luck,

Ray