vaginal cancer?

I had a hysterectomy 20 years ago.  But over the last 6 mos I've  had some intermittent spotting of bright red blood.  Also,  Ive been experiencing some nocturnal incontinence.I didnt go to the Dr. right away because I feel great, and i just thought it was a fluke.  Anyway, I went for my yearly yesterday and discussed this with her and she wants me to have some tests.  She gave me my pap and didnt feel any lumps or masses, so she wants me next to have a pelvic ultrasound.  After that, she will refer me to a gyne,  You know, I never thought that I would handle the possibility of cancer this way.  Ive been in the healthcare field for 30 years and have had an optomistic outlook on this.  But now I dont feel very pleasant.  I feel like my life will be stopped until I can get the results from the tests.  I went yesterday (Sat) so I wont even be able to schedule the tests until tomorrow.  I hate this, and Now for the first time, Im understanding a little bit of what people go through when they face cancer. 

I would ask for a biopsy of the affected area to see what is happening. Do you still have your ovaries? If so you need to be more aggressive in your approach to finding out what is wrong. Time is of the essence here. As a healthy professional you know how the system works so also ask for a cancer maker test.  Does not alway show up but at least be proactive.

Retired Oncology gyn RN and cancer survivor.

On 2/3/2008 closecall wrote:

I had a hysterectomy 20 years ago.  But over the last 6 mos I've  had some intermittent spotting of bright red blood.  Also,  Ive been experiencing some nocturnal incontinence.I didnt go to the Dr. right away because I feel great, and i just thought it was a fluke.  Anyway, I went for my yearly yesterday and discussed this with her and she wants me to have some tests.  She gave me my pap and didnt feel any lumps or masses, so she wants me next to have a pelvic ultrasound.  After that, she will refer me to a gyne,  You know, I never thought that I would handle the possibility of cancer this way.  Ive been in the healthcare field for 30 years and have had an optomistic outlook on this.  But now I dont feel very pleasant.  I feel like my life will be stopped until I can get the results from the tests.  I went yesterday (Sat) so I wont even be able to schedule the tests until tomorrow.  I hate this, and Now for the first time, Im understanding a little bit of what people go through when they face cancer. 

 

 

On 4/5/2008 mmsurvivor wrote:

I would ask for a biopsy of the affected area to see what is happening. Do you still have your ovaries? If so you need to be more aggressive in your approach to finding out what is wrong. Time is of the essence here. As a healthy professional you know how the system works so also ask for a cancer maker test.  Does not alway show up but at least be proactive.

Retired Oncology gyn RN and cancer survivor.

On 2/3/2008 closecall wrote:

I had a hysterectomy 20 years ago.  But over the last 6 mos I've  had some intermittent spotting of bright red blood.  Also,  Ive been experiencing some nocturnal incontinence.I didnt go to the Dr. right away because I feel great, and i just thought it was a fluke.  Anyway, I went for my yearly yesterday and discussed this with her and she wants me to have some tests.  She gave me my pap and didnt feel any lumps or masses, so she wants me next to have a pelvic ultrasound.  After that, she will refer me to a gyne,  You know, I never thought that I would handle the possibility of cancer this way.  Ive been in the healthcare field for 30 years and have had an optomistic outlook on this.  But now I dont feel very pleasant.  I feel like my life will be stopped until I can get the results from the tests.  I went yesterday (Sat) so I wont even be able to schedule the tests until tomorrow.  I hate this, and Now for the first time, Im understanding a little bit of what people go through when they face cancer. 

I hope you still visit this site.  I would really like to know how this turned out for you.  I have bright red spotting 7 months after a total abdominal hysterectomy (ovaries,too).  I'm scared to death it is vaginal cancer and I can't get an appt. for another two months!  I hope all is well with you and your scare turned out to be nothing.  I hope that's how it goes for me, too.  I am drving myself crazy.

 

Hi, ANOTHER 2 MONTHS!!! You call them back and tell them your history and you are having problems and are extremely worried. 2 months is 2 long!! They should be able to fit you in in a day! Best of luck and good health. Ellen

Thanks, Ellen.  My gyn is out of the country.  I saw a PA yesterday who told me it was probably that my vagina tissue had become brittle because I haven't taken any of the hormones prescribed for me after my hysterectomy.  THEN she examined me and said that I had a small growth, possibly a polyp.  She said not to worry, but NOT to take the hormones until I was examined by a gyn.  I finally got an appt. in two and a half weeks with someone I don't know.  It's better than two months and I'm trying not to panic too much. 

Two months after the surgery, everything was fine.  Where did this grow come from??? 

Today, I had a suspicious mole removed from my shoulder by the same PA I saw yesterday.  She is very good and understanding. I'll get those results next week.

Four weeks ago I got shingles and then had a six-foot ladder collapse under me while helping my dad with a project.  I'm still nursing a badly injurred foot.  Now this.  Sorry to vent. I know it could be much worse...I just don't want it to be...

Teesa

 

Hi Teesa, I'm so glad you saw someone. It's so hard not to worry about every little bump , polyp, mole etc.. but like my Mom says, what will be, will be and we'll just deal with it. I find a lot of things run in 3's so it seems you ve met the 3 rule, so I think all will be ok, Prayers to you! Ellen