Hi there all!
Well....here goes...The Oncologist told me he was going to go in and do laser surgery and zap out that lesion. No worries. So I wake up from surgery and ended up having a partial vaginectomy on the upper part of the vagina. He had to laser ablate the entire cuff and back a little more as it was fully VAIN III. I was under the impression it was going to be a couple days recovery and back to work but it did take a full week for recovery. My follow-up was good and they prescribed me the efudex (5fu) topical cream once every 21 days to keep the dysplasia from the rest of my vagina from turning into cancer. I had my first treatment and it went ok but I have some advice for all those not anticipating this cream like myself. Dr. Offices are very minimal in explaining these things.
1. In order to get every thing ready for the following morning to clean it out (if you are required to do so as I am) it would help to organize as follows
A. Go on a search to every drug store you can find to look for the old fashion red water bottle with all the attachments (used for douching, enema, etc) I bought the plain bottle first then I realized all the attachments were not included so I went and found the correct one at CVS. If they dont have it, ask them to order you one and they will have it in a couple days.
B. Go and buy you some Diaper rash ointment with Zinc Oxide in it. (They told me to use vasoline but after much research I learned the zinc oxide works better from burns) when they say apply a thick layer....do so. From the beginnning of the crack in the front to the end in the back and be generous about it.
C. Invest in a box of disposable gloves from the local drug store. You WILL be using these. The first time I used 3. HA!
D. Do NOT think the small pint douch bags will work fast enough...trust me...when your in a stand up shower with no faucet and you have to douche 4 times...too much time passes and too much water slams into your eyes while your holding it up high at the spout to fill it back up and in the mean time the cream is running down your legs. Or (which I learned after the fact) get a gallon pitcher and fill it full of water and set it nearby for frequent refills and dont forget the hydrogen peroxide (if you are required to do so)
E. Do NOT pee before this showering event. Do NOT get your first cup of coffee, do NOT walk around....go straight to the process. Trust me...you may be a babbling idiot in the shower with one eye open..but you will get it done. Then reward yourself with your coffee or drink of choice.
F. Yes there is an F and dont fail this one.....YOU ARE NO LESS OF A WOMAN. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL AND AMAZING AND STRONG AND YOU CAN DO THIS AND BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE!
Now afterwards....I have learned....do it on the weekend. The next day sitting for longer than 45 minutes is kind of uncomfortable because it has to breathe so I would do house chores that day to keep myself moving. I wore light (one size bigger) cotton underwear and loose lounge pants. When I has to urinate it burned a little if the urine passed by the opening so lean forward a little if possible to keep it away. But it wasnt any more pain that a small uti feeling.
I'm sure theres more....but if you have any questions please feel free to email me
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Much Love,
Wendy