Vulvar Cancer Support Group

Well I started off my my gyno doing a wide local excision for my labia minora with local. Mistake ! Unbelievable. Pain had VIN III.

My gyno also did colpo of vulvar area and in frochette area and punch biopsy with carterization. Results came back Carcinoma in situ.

She referred me to oncologist I didn't like the one she sent me to and found one at Md Anderson Cancer center in Houston .

I first did Aldera which was painful terrible side effects but completely cleared the CIN on frochette and Vin II on clitoris.

After being cleared in August I did a self exam in December and mu clitoris had white leisions which I needed a light and mirror to see. On February 6 at Vin III I had surgery under anesthesia and the oncologist did a wide local excision of my clitoris

The recovery was much better and I am actively living to be healthy this time.

I stress less, delegate more at work, started therapy to process life, became a vegetarian. Go to yoga four times a week, quit smoking and pray and love others and dropped expectations of others. I have fun with my nine year old, got a small tatoo of the infinity symbol over my heart to carry all those I love with me. I took a hot air balloon ride, danced down the beach and try to live fully each day.

My pathology from surgery came back with clear margins and now my goal is to keep my immune system up by supplements and researching how diet and stress impacts us.

I go back to oncologist this week I can't imagine this journey without her .

Take stuff seriously enough to take good care of yourself. This is the lesson I missed between the first excision then Aldera to the last surgery. Now every day I live and am thankful for my health and work to be the healthiest me I can be.

Good luck:)

Thanks Hopelynn. I talked to my gyn yesterday and the WLE is scheduled as outpatient on March 19th. He reassured me the removal area would only be about an inch long, and since we are only using a local I would be awake and he would explain exactly what he was doing as they went (I have control issues...)

According to the hospital nurse that called to schedule the procedure she said I would be able to go home after just a few hours, barring any complications.

Any idea on how long before I am back in yoga classes? My gyn didn't want to even give me an estimate as he said it depended entirely on the heal time which could vary.

It seems the biggest factor in play is the fact that I have been a pack a day smoker for 15 years. Guess it's time to really quit, not just think about it ;)

Question, has anyone quit smoking (fully) and still had a recurrence?

Thanks Ladies!

Hopelynn,

I wanted to ask what is your tattoo of? I have been considering getting another one but the "inspiration" of what design hasn't struck yet!

I also have a 9 year old, he is awesome, and a handful. He is autistic so I am afraid he won't understand what is going on so he's taking a spring break at grammas for a couple days following my surgery.

And I am also a yoga fanatic, have been for many years. Outside of the garbage I eat and the pack of smokes everyday I would be in great shape! I really want to quit smoking before my surgery. How did you do it?

Thanks so much for sharing, you had a great way of explaining that de-stressing (I am an executive so my work stress level is defcon 5 all the time) and just enjoying a healthy life is the best "cure" to all of this!

Thank you!

Dear Vajaja...
I haven't had to deal with Vin so I have no advice. I have heard keeping a water bottle handy for when you go to the bathroom helps with the sting. Wishing you a speedy recovery.
About work stress...I worked over 33 years in an executive position dealing with long hours and stress and then one day they decided to restructure and "retired " me early. My age and salary history made it difficult in today's economy to find a comparable position. The lesson..take care of yourself, to them you are dispensable, consider your health and life of value to you and those who love you. MM

PS..stop smoking it's not good for you!!!!