My body and me by Liz Mcmaster

In about 2006 I went to my gp for my routine smear test. The nurse asked me if I had noticed anything unusual. I replied no. She says she will take a swab in case I have an infection. She also tells me that my skin is very white.
My smear test came back that I needed testing again. Redone the test and all was fine. Now my gp decided to refer me to the dermatology dept at the hospital. I was seen by a dermatologist and a gynaecologist.
Here I start on the beginning of a long road. My very first punch biopsies, they were brutal. Results came back lichen sclerosus. Ointments and creams are prescribed and followed to religiously. Now I am in the hospital outpatient rotation.
Started with every three to four months. The first punch biopsy hadn't healed. Months of going back and forth changing creams and ointments. Seeing different doctors. They would talk of doing more biopsies.
The second and the third bled on the fourth they offered to bring me in to get it done under a general. To be honest even though it hurts getting them done, the healing afterwards is off the scale with pain. I could hardly walk, sit, lie or even sleep. So I bite the bullet and get them done as an outpatient. Four years of hospital appointments it is decided LS. I should just carry on using the ointments. I have been taken off from outpatients
Here followed the next couple of years of using the prescription dermovate cream as directed. I even searched the Internet for help. I came across silver nitrate cream, which I tried. I was even prescribed dermasilk medical pants. Which were suppose to soothe and heal. They were to be worn 24/7 no need for creams. I found that they didn't help. So went back to use using dermovate.
My vulva was angry red and ulcerated. Bleeding at the merest touch of toilet paper. I built up courage to go back and share my problem with my gp. I went back to my doctor and she took one look and did an urgent referral to gynae. Even at that point I didn't think it was serious.
Got my 7th punch biopsy, consultant called me back to outpatients, where we discussed an inscission to cut the ulcer out, that was November 2018. As I had a bowel prolapse both operations were scheduled together.
February 2019 i had both operations. My gynae consultant and I chatted as I was getting ready to go home. I remember him saying "the biopsy was sent for testing and as far as he could see everything was fine"
Less than a week later I had a phone call, could I come in to discuss the results. I knew then, even when he told me it was Cancer I asked well what do we do next?
Next thing I had was a CT scan which showed that there was no sign of any suspicious cells. Followed by a MDT meeting. My gynae consulted with a consultant oncologist where they thought it wise to offer me a bilateral groin lymph node dissection.
On meeting the oncologist, we discussed the operation or whether to wait and see. I chose the operation. It was a 90% chance they would be clear.
In June 2019 I had the lymph nodes removed. The results were clear. A side effect was cellulitis in my groin and hips. My oncologist has prescribed me a daily dose of low dosage penicillin as preventative medicine. I also have lymphodema and have compression tights, these are a great help.
2020, I phoned my Cnc with concerns with changes on my vulva. At the end of February the gynae consultant saw me at a clinic. I had a white cauliflower growth on my clitoris area. He decide it would be better to remove it.
March 2020 I had my pre-med for operation at the beginning of April. Covid-19 was very prevelent then and my surgery was cancelled. So back to watch and wait. I contacted the hospital again as now the growth is weeping and changed size and colour. Gynae see's changes and has arranged my surgery again. Due to be carried out on the 8th September. Then the growth will be sent off to the lab.
God knows what next. But I will try to live, love and laugh