Recent Surgery

I've just had a wide local excision and a couple more biopsies. I'm struggling with the burning/stinging pain. The surgery was done last monday, now being Saturday morning. I've been up since 4am. I was told no aftercare information. My surgeon asked me before I went into theatre if i had any questions. At the time, I didn't know of any. It was a public holiday here yesterday, and now being the weekend I'm not sure what to do. Is what I'm feeling normal at this stage, or might it be infection settling in. I can not bare to touch the area at all. I had CIN3 in 2004 and had a LLETZ procedure, with regular followups, being all clear.

I had a baby in Sept 2006, and noticed after giving birth i felt bruised when i urinated. The nurse said it was probably from the birth. This pain has come and gone since. After seeking advice from my doctor, she has referred me to a skin and cancer specialist who performed a biopsy of the area. She was very suprised when it came back as VIN as it did not look like it at all. I was then referred to an Gynae Oncologist. Which has brought to where I am with treatment.

I would really appreciate any advice, I feel really scared.

Mandy (Australia)

Hi,

I'm so sorry you have felt so much pain from this. I had a partial vulvectomy and vulvaplasty in December 07. I was very tender and it did burn a lot when I urinated. But my doctor sent me to the pet store (I know this sounds weird) but I bought ocean sea salt and I mix this with water and took a sitz bath 3 times a day. I had the water good and warm. This really help me tremendously. I also used tucks pads. Hope this helps.

Thank you so much for your reply and advice. When I left hospital (still whoozy from anaesthetic) the nurse said go home to bed and no baths. No mention of sitz baths. I will try them though. Thank you.

Hi just wanted to let you know that I am recovering and feeling so much better.

Got my results yesterday, and there is no more VIN in the area, even the area they excised was not VIN. It appears the virus is still present, which made the area show up abnormal with the vinegar solution. Dr thinks it is likely they got the VIN with the first biopsy, as it was a larger biopsy than normal. He is very pleased with the outcome, but said it needs to be watched, as i can still get cell changes. I realise this and I am just going to do everything I can to help my body fight, and be healthy. Especially mentally, as I am determined when I go back for my 6 monthly checkup, it will still be ok.

It just goes to show, even if you have a HPV negative result, it can still be elsewhere which doesn't get picked up from just a smear.