Six months have passed already since my total robotic hysterectomy—and four since my vaginal radiation treatments.
Yesterday, I saw my gynecologic oncologist/surgeon, who took a peek and said I’m well healed with no evidence of recurrence.
I do have some light vaginal discharge and need to wear a pantyliner all the time, so the doctor took a Pap smear while I was there—even though this is an almost useless test in my situation. A recurrence of my endometrial (uterine) cancer would begin underneath the lining of the vagina, where the Pap smear doesn’t reach. So a “negative” result doesn’t necessarily mean nothing is lurking under the surface. At the same time, a “positive” result would likely be false. So the current protocol recommended by the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) is to do a visual exam only. Any “lumps or bumps” at the time of exam would be biopsied immediately. But I have none. The doctor said my discharge could be from scar tissue post-radiation (brachytherapy), although he saw no granulomatous tissue to point to this as the source of the problem.
However, this discharge “problem” is only a minor inconvenience. Because I’m doing so well, I don’t need to return to see him until December, one year post-op. However, he did advise me to see my regular gynecologist in September, at the nine-month point. This was very good news because initially he said he wanted to see me every three months. My radiation oncologist had also said she wanted to see me every three months—two back-to-back pelvic exams! However, the surgeon had said on my last visit that it wasn’t really necessary to see the radiation doctor because both of them would be looking at the same thing. Besides, this part of the body is his area of expertise, and his technique with the speculum doesn’t hurt—whereas the last pelvic exam by the radiation doctor hurt like h _ _ _.
For more information about my personal story with uterine cancer, which started last November, and also about diagnosing and treating this disease with surgery and radiation, please see the Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer page for links.
And stay tuned for more information about this very important topic.
The Patient Path 
Dearest Pam, I am thrilled to hear your great news!!! You are a brilliant, courageous survivor, teacher and mentor to all who are on this journey. Thank you, dear Friend…… with love, Kathryn.
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Thank you for your sweet, supportive message, Kathryn.
Love,
Pam
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Pam, glad you are doing so well.
xo Marge
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Thanks, Marge.
Glad I have good news to report. Hope all is well with you, too.
Love,
Pam
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I am so very thankful that you are OK. What great news!!! Love you, Pam. So happy for you.
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Thanks, Mom. 🙂
Love,
Pam
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great news! i have had the same procedure and timeline. The discharge could possibly be the lymphatic fluid that needs to find a way out. After my surgery i had so much discharge, that wasn’t blood, or urine, and the dumb doctors couldn’t tell me what it was. They say it just happens and it will stop eventually. Well that wasn’t a good enough answer for me. research also didn’t really help, but the radiologist explained about what and where he was going to radiate me, he mentioned the lymphatic system. As an RN, then it made sense. this was lymphatic fluid. So perhaps, it is the same for you. Mine has stopped, and “eventually” yours will too. Hopefully.
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Hi, Theresa. It sounds as if you decided to complete your brachytherapy–good for you.
I hope you’re right about the lymph. As I mentioned back in the winter, I had a serious problem with lymphatic drainage starting about a week after surgery that required me to wear large incontinence pads. This lasted about 2 1/2 weeks and then stopped.
Following my second brachytherapy treatment, I started having a very light discharge, which my radiologic oncologist said was an effect some women experienced after vaginal radiation. The discharge has continued, and I need to wear a liner continuously. As I mentioned in the post above, my surgeon thought this might be scar tissue, but on pelvic exam he didn’t see anything. Hmmm.
Please see the latest post for an update. I’m so glad your drainage has stopped–freedom!
Pam
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