CANCER OF THE VULVA: TREATMENT, HEALING AFTER SURGERY
It is really important that enough time is allowed for proper physical and emotional healing after surgery. Time is needed to come to terms with the extent of the surgery and the impact this is having on functions you took for granted before surgery. For instance, the mental shock and sadness of the removal of vital sexual organs may take six to twelve months to come to terms with, even with counseling. Hopefully your specialist will have shown you and your partner what the physical changes will look like before you have surgery. Even so, the reality can be quite a shock as there will be quite significant physical changes, depending on the extent of surgery. Because drugs are often given in hospital to reduce pain and may keep you on a ‘high’ the reality and extent of the physical changes may not ‘hit’ you until you return home. Tablets for depression sometimes block your bowels that put pressure on the vulval area and are excruciatingly painful when you go to do ‘pooh’.
If the clitoris and vagina have been removed sexual intercourse through penetration is going to be extremely difficult, and in some cases impossible. Therefore you (and your partner) will need the services early in your treatment of a sexual therapist or counselor. If you live in an area where these services are not available ask your doctor to discuss and help you through the issues. It is common to become insecure about the future of your partnership if sexual activity has been an important part of it. Open communication about your fears with your partner is really important to allow you to continue emotional healing.
If radiation therapy has left surface burns on the thigh region, walking in the early stages will be painful as it takes time for the skin to settle. Some women find too much walking in the early stages can feel as if extra strain is happening in the groin area. It may take time for the surgical wounds to fully heal. Salt baths and getting someone sensitive to your needs to pour tepid water over the vulva can be very soothing. Don’t be embarrassed by this – it is a body part that all women have.
Some women find it difficult to ‘pee’ straight after surgery. This is quite common and can be avoided by getting the nurse to change the side the catheter is strapped to each day. In a case where this did not happen the patient used a funnel to direct the urine.
If the cancer has not spread to lymph glands, then the cancer is highly treatable. If the glands are involved then treatment presents a greater challenge. Emotional survival is the most difficult aspect of this cancer.
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