Vulvar Cancer - The Call That Changed My Life

At my annual gynecologist visit, my new doctor said there was a small area of irregular cells of which she would like to take a sample to send to the lab. She was not alarmed and reminded me that I had never had a history of any problems. "This might be nothing to worry about. Either way, I'll be in touch" she said.

At work, two days later, I picked up the phone to hear my doctor say. "You've got cancer. You'll need to be admitted to the hospital in two days for surgery. I can recommend a specialist for you." If she said anything else I didn't hear her. Because of the shocking news, my mind heard cancer, surgery, two days and nothing else.

I hung up. My brain was numb. I called my husband to meet me halfway between his office and mine. When he arrived, I told him that the doctor called. "I have cancer. It's going to require surgery in two days." He asked questions. "What kind of cancer? Why operate so soon? Who is going to do the surgery?" I didn't know the answers to any of his questions.

Together, we called my doctor and asked for more information. She said "Vulvar cancer. To diagnose the stage you're in, how advanced it is, and how far it has spread throughout your body, requires surgery. I know a world-renowned expert in this area. I have made an appointment for you tomorrow with him. He will be able to discuss your treatment plan then. I am so sorry."

We researched his name on the internet and found his experience to be extensive in "radical and ultraradical surgery for ... gynecologic cancers (cervix, endometrium, ovary, vulva, vagina)."

Reading about vulvar cancer on the internet was frightening. I was too young to be having this type cancer. It predominately occurred in women after menopause who were senior citizens diagnosed around age 68. I was in my mid- 40s. There was a 50% occurrence of death. Our level of anxiety went from shock to dread. We had two children under the age of 12. I wasn't prepared this soon to deal with the idea of death and leaving my husband to raise our son and daughter alone.