Trying not to worry

[ColinRobinsonsFart]

I have been to see my GP today. I have a large itchy lump in my vagina, a nasty discharge and episodes of bleeding. am post menopausal of nearly two years.
i haven’t met her before and I think she is a GP trainee as she had to discuss my case with another GP. And she was lovely and kind.

She has referred me onto the two week Cancer pathway.

i am an ex gynae theatre nurse…. I am trying not to worry.

don’t know why I am posting this … I just need to write it down.

I have treated myself to a big Christmas tube of smarties and I am in bed with the electric blanket watching Peter Kay.
DH is at work.
All will be fine

I'm sorry to hear this. The good thing about being on the 2 week pathway is that you'll know soon. I really hope it's nothing sinister. Can you update us when you know? Will be thinking of you.

That’s a big worry. Be super kind to yourself in the meantime and try not to stress too much. Hope you get a swift diagnosis and it is not as bad as you fear.

Your treat sounds great! I’m sorry that you are having these symptoms, we try not to worry but it’s impossible isn’t it? Did you work in the hospital that you are being referred to?

There are lots of things it could be that are not sinister. Itchy sounds like a cyst to me. In any case, you have done the right thing. Take every moment as it comes. It's most likely to be absolutely nothing to worry about. (And I say that as someone with health anxiety and a cancer survivor!)

thanks everyone- sending virtual smarties (I am keeping the orange ones) to all

deadpool is on now so I am watching that.

just watched top of the pops 1984 and had a little singalong. 1984 was when I was at the height of my fabulousness…. Slim beautiful and able to club all night and function totally the next morning…

How are you doing? Hope you're OK!

Hello! I have an appointment with the gynaecologist on Thursday.

trying hard not to think about it all……

thankyou for asking

Swab results are back - no infection

happy and worried in equal measures. I was tested for STDs and as I have been with DH for over 18 yrs neither we knew this would be negative . The other swabs also came back negative.

still producing discharge, still feel like I have a dry tampon in my vag, still got low grade period pain, I can still feel my fleshy lump.

appointment for gynae pathway clinic still on for Thursday morning.

hope some questions will be answered

I know I am talking into the ether but this is helping my anxiety

my appointment was brought forward to this afternoon.

i don’t have vaginal cancer ( my biggest fear) - my lump is scar tissue from my TVT - my poor old vag has atrophied so much, the scar is now prominent. A bit like a reservoir that starts revealing a lost village during a drought…

but I do have thickening of the lining of my womb. And as I had some post menopausal bleeding and a TCRE 20 yrs ago this has set off quiet alarm bells. The consultant managed to get a uttering wall sample but I did faint. Depending on the sample results I will be called back for a hysteroscopy - which will probably be under GA as I am a ‘fainter’. results should be back within 3 weeks.

so - not what I thought the issue was but I am so glad I told the GP.

of all the potential things - vaginal cancer was my main worry. The thought of losing my vagina was beyond my coping capabilities. Losing my womb etc would/will be bad enough but losing my vagina is like all on another level of horror. I don’t know why… maybe cos my womb etc have not worked for years but my vag is still ( part time now though) in use. I wonder if anyone can understand this…?

now sat watching telly dosed up on codeine and I have been promised a delivery curry for tea. DH is clucking around me.

Don't have anything to say to help you other than I really like your style of writing and hope this all turns out well for you. Being a woman is shit sometimes. All the best xx

I have decided I am coming back as a cat…. a big fat lazy male cat.

I'm really glad to hear your vagina is staying where it is op ☺️☺️

Can I ask, what is a TCRE?

Hi @ColinRobinsonsFart just wanted to wish you all the best & say I am keeping my fingers crossed for you. I’m also on the 2 week referral pathway - post menopausal bleeding - & have a scan appointment tomorrow 😱

Not sure about the cat thing btw - my poor cat had to have her bum shaved at the vets this week. She was outraged (she’s very fluffy & got a bit matted). Think I’d probably choose a bum shave over a transvaginal scan but it’s a close call.

TCRE - trans cervical resection of endometrium.

they scrape and cauterise the lining of the womb. Done for heavy periods.

and yes I am glad my vag gets to fight another day!

Good luck for tomorrow. My fingers will be very much crossed for you. It’s not pleasant but it has to be done. Take some paracetamol or Ibuprofen beforehand - the nurse said I should do so if I need to go back for more tests

ffs don’t start taking your pants down right next to the doctor like I did …. There was a discrete changing area with curtains to one side. So I had to shuffle with my pants round my ankles to finish the job…

😁 thanks for the tip & the crossed fingers

@Wobblestitch how did it all go today? I have been thinking about you

Hi @ColinRobinsonsFart thanks so much for thinking of me. It was all good thanks, nothing sinister found & I was discharged. The doctor said bleeding was most likely due to vaginal atrophy (didn’t know this was a thing until a couple of days ago, makes me feel positively ancient) or possibly an ‘ovulation event’ (sounds quite grand & exciting) - so I’m going with the 2nd one. Obviously massively relieved & grateful to the nurses & doctor who were all lovely.

I hope you get your results soon & all is well. In the meantime take it easy, sending best wishes & will be hoping for a positive update from you.

@Wobblestitch Doctor has decided my repeating PMB is down to vaginal atrophy as well - after four scans, two hysteroscopies and two biopsies I think they're just desperate not to see me again! So I now have a Vagifem prescription.

I was doubtful because although I've had a bit of discomfort down there it's nothing like the pain I read about on here from VA sufferers. However the first couple of times I used the Vagifem applicator I actually had a minute amount of bleeding so maybe it's worse than I thought if even a bit of plastic can trigger it.

We are a trio of shrivelling vaginas!

i always said things were now shrivelling up and dropping off…

Two weeks since my biopsy and still no news.

part of me thinks this I good as it shows there is no urgency and the other part thinks ….

Oh it's such a worrying time, I'm sorry you haven't heard anything yet. As a general rule though, the really horrendous things are picked up very sharpish whereas the less scary stuff sits for a bit... thinking of you and got everything crossed. X

I've also reread the post and see you're an ex gyne theatre nurse... I'm an ODP! Work brain will be the bit telling you it's good as there isn't any urgency!

Mine took two and a half weeks.

The results letter was dated eight days before its arrival.

Not sure why Email isn't used for this.