Hello everyone. I apologize if this topic was addressed before but I'm brand new to this forum, and I need some support. I finished up my treatments (chemo, internal & external radiation) in April. Since that time I've had severe urine leakage from my vagina. I go to a urologist on Wednesday. My oncologist thinks there is a fistula somewhere. I had an IVP done earlier but it did not show anything. My second major concern is about having sexual relations. When do things become "normal" again. One dr. says it's okay to have sex, so I do and there is so much pain and blood, so another dr. says not to. Then I wait for another month, and now it seems like my vagina is starting to atrophy. I'm 39 yrs. old and have the most wonderful boyfriend in the whole world and I just want to be normal again. I'm really stressed out. Any suggestions/help/words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.!!

Hi Charliesgirl,

I'm sorry- I don't have any knowledge about what you're are going through (I'm still sort of a newbie), but I WILL say that even though one of your docs is giving you the okay for physical intimacy, it sounds like your body isn't quite ready. Each person's body is uniquely different and we all deal with these procedures in different ways...some may need more healing time than others and it sounds to me like you fall into this category.

I know this is so difficult and frustrating, but TRY not to focus so much on the "when," but instead try to focus on relaxing and getting your body good and strong again. How? I don't know. Learning to relax has always been tough for me and I know it's easier said than done. Just know that you WILL get better, at your body's own pace. And you're very fortunate to have such a wonderful boyfriend for support.

Take care,
Katie

Hello :wave:


I just wanted to tell you,you are not alone,I had the same treatment my last treatment was sept.05.

Today August 2006 I have a colostomy and nephrostomy tubes draining my kidneys because my bladder was damaged severly from raditian:eek: I was so normal BEFORE the cancer now I am disabled my insided are fried for real...

Please see you Dr. and let me know what they say...I suspect they will run EVERY test known to man or at least they better!!! it took them 3 months until I finally got a dr. to listen to me then 2 weeks of testing and discovered I had a fistula and a bunch of holes in my bladder!!!!

Ill keep you in my prayers keep in touch...

I went to the Urologist last week. I'm scheduled to go in Sept. 11 for
"cepto (?), retrograde, and a possible stent." I'm having very little drainage right now. I really could live with it. I would love to just cancel this procedure. I just started a new job 5 weeks ago and I hate having to ask for time off. I guess a part of me is also in denial. I don't want them to find something else out, like my bladder being full of holes like you Texan1771. Like I said in an earlier post, I just want to be normal. Is there such a thing after treatments, no matter if it's surgery or chemo and radiation? I will keep everyone informed about my status. Texan1771, please let me know what symtoms led up to them discovering about your fistula and bladder.

I am sorry to hear about your situation.. and i wish you the best..
but i was wondering if i could ask how the cancer got so far? Do you have HPV? or is it something else? or naturally occuring? I am just curious about your story and the kinda situation. I just want a little more info.. Lately it seems like I've been researching Hpv for hours. I would really like to hear your story but if you are not up to it I'd understand.
Thanks - me

Actually I would like to hear many stories.. if anyone feels like talkin and handing down advice. *

Hey Charlieg,

Just a quick note on your questions,as soon as I was done with the last treatment (internal raditian) I got settled back in my home and then Hurricane Rita struck I had to evacuate so like 2 weeks later say in Oct.05 I went back to work and I became sooooooo sick I was in the most horrific pain I stayed constipated,I went to our local hosipital they prescribed a laxative,it worked once then I went to MY cancer hospitial they just did the same I went on going back and fourth to the cancer hospitial they did a molasses enema (humilating) the damn broke.....I felt grrrreat that was like at the end of Dec.05 I started pooping thru the vagina and behind bloody and I was so sore and cramping again I finally left my job early Jan.17,06 drove to Houston cancer hospitial and they admitted me and ran EVERY kind of test known to man I drank so much different nasty crap and I was in there for a good week different tests and they FINALLY came up with the answers I was in there for 3 weeks with the final digonosis of holes in my bladder and the fistula,if you even SUSPECT you might have a fistula your Dr. should run as many tests it takes to find ou they are tricky and could kill you!!! Keep me informed.Ginger

Hi Thisisme. I have the HPV virus. I had regular paps my whole life (I am now 39.) I started having heavy bleeding after intercourse. I went to my regular doctor who sent me to a gynocologist. He ran all the tests I'm sure you have read about on the boards (colposcomy and Leep). Right before Christmas they told me I had cervical cancer. I went through some testing to see where it had spread. My two options were a radical hysterectomy or chemo/radiation. Well the cancer spread outside the cervix wall so surgery was now out of the question. I did two months of treatments--chemo, external and internal radiation. I finished those up in April of this year. I am now trying to deal with the aftermath of treatments. That is my story in a nutshell.

Texan--thanks for sharing your story. Like I said in a earlier post, I feel like I could live with the symptoms I'm having but it will always be in the back of my mind that something worse could be going on. I was sitting with my dad one day in the hospital (He had just had a kidney transplant..I was suppose to give him one but then all this happened--another story) any ways, it was like a dam burst. So much stuff was coming from my vagina. I soaked 2 maxipads in a matter of an hour or so, then it stopped. I had an appointment with my oncologist two days later. She saw a bubble inside and popped it. She said it was urine. Two days later it burst again. I have had nothing since then. I worry that it is building up again. I guess the urologist will be able to tell. I'm rambling now. Sorry. Time for bed.:yawn:

My wife just completed all of her chemo and radiation treatments for Stage IIa-b cervical cancer on Aug. 27. She's 37. At the moment, she doesn't have much problem regarding effects of her treatment. I'm wondering how long it takes after treatment finished for the problems to appear? Any suggestion for my wife are truly appreciated.

Hey John :wave:
I think it varies as far as time frame of any long term effects,mine personally was like a month or so but I have heard of cervical cancer radiation might show damage years down the road just watch it,if she has any discomfort,urinating,constipation or ANY thing out of the ordinary I would for sure get it checked out. Good Luck to yall,Ginger

Hi Ginger
Thank you for your reply. Wish your condition getting better. Good luck to you too.
Regarding the situation of my wife, we don't know what to expect so just pray and hope for the best.

John

I just wanted to comment on how wonderful it is to see a concerned husband posting on this board. Your wife is very lucky, John. My husband is of the school that if you pretend it is not happening, then it is not happening. Odd considering he is more than likely the reason I am going through all of this. We have been together for over 10 years and I don't have sex with anyone else...but, anyway, kudos to you. Keep taking care of her!!!

Just wanted to update my situation. Had my procedure with the urologist on Monday. I had a cytoscopy (spelling?) done. They found NO holes in my bladder or ureter. YEA!!! I'm so happy and thankful. :) Maybe this is the first step in getting rid of the side effects of all the treatments.

Also wanted to compliment John for being there for his wife. It makes it so much easier to have someone so supportive and caring by your side. I know I coudn't have made it without my wonderful boyfriend. He read more about the cancer and the treatments than I did. He was absolutely amazing.

Take care everyone!!!:wave:

Charliesgirl: I understand that you finished up your treatment in April. Would you please let me know how long after your last treatment that you began to have the severe urine leakage problem? Thanks.

Hi John,

As soon as my treatments were over I had discharge everyday where I would go through about 4 panty liners a day. Then after about 2 months or so it basically stopped. A month later something in me just burst like a dam. That happened 3 times in one week and then it basically stopped again. Like I said in an earlier post--I just under went another cystoscopy and everything was normal. The doctors think there was just a small pin hole some where and it healed itself. I am so lucky. there are so many women out here on the boards that have so many holes in their bladder. Is your wife experiencing any problems?

Again kudos to you for being there for her.:wave:

Take care.