Internal/external radiation for cervical cancer

jhopkins

I had cervical cancer in 2003 and had internal and external radiation.  I used a dilator,  along with sex, maybe 1-2 times weekly to no avail.  Even unsung the dialators 3-4 times weekly didn't prevent me from completely closing 2 years ago.  I am devastated and have tried to be grateful for life, but it saddens me to not be able to make love to my husband of 35 years. He doesn't ever complain and we are intimate from time to time. However, I feel I am not satisfying him plus I miss feeling him inside of me.  Does anyone know of a surgical procedure out there I may consider.   Oh, I am 55 years old and hate to think I'm done ...... Is there anyone out there who knows how to help me?  I know it sounds like I'm having a pity party but it's been weighing on me lately.       

Signed Not Done Yet

 

NoTimeForCancer

Hoping you have not abandoned

Hoping you have not abandoned coming to your post!

Radiation really is the gift that keeps giving.  I had endometrial cancer (and maybe you would like to post your question on one of the gynecological cancer threads) and both internal and external radiation.  It has been almost two years since I completed treatment and was given a medium dialator after radiation.  Thankfully I like my surgeon, when he said "I can tell you have been using your dialator" during the first year of follow up, but just last month, October, he clearly saw/feel that it has continued to 'shrink'.  I was given a large dialator, which has been difficult and I hope it gets easier, but I can't help but wonder.

I use my dialator EVERYDAY.  I told a friend I met who had cervical cancer to use her dialator everyday and her doctor told her he could see a difference. 

Don't give up.  Get the dialator out.  Every day. I am confident it will make a difference.

babe12

physical therapy

Don't give up!!! My gyno-oncologist found a physical therapist who works with women who have these issues. She gave me a website to order a set of dilators that come in 5 sizes, from smaller than a tampon to LARGE. She helped me so much. Ask your Dr. to find you a therapist. I think the website was CMT (certified medical tech, I think, t's been a while). You'll know by the dilators on the site.

Hang in there!!!

Babe

NoTimeForCancer

babe12 said:

physical therapy

Don't give up!!! My gyno-oncologist found a physical therapist who works with women who have these issues. She gave me a website to order a set of dilators that come in 5 sizes, from smaller than a tampon to LARGE. She helped me so much. Ask your Dr. to find you a therapist. I think the website was CMT (certified medical tech, I think, t's been a while). You'll know by the dilators on the site.

Hang in there!!!

Babe

Babe, I think this site has

Babe, I think this site has what you mentioned:

http://www.cmtmedical.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=124_125_130

jhopkins

NoTimeForCancer said:

Babe, I think this site has

Babe, I think this site has what you mentioned:

http://www.cmtmedical.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=124_125_130

Thank you!

I had abandoned coming to my posts and everything else.  I am going to give it one more try.... THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!!

 

NoTimeForCancer

jhopkins said:

Thank you!

I had abandoned coming to my posts and everything else.  I am going to give it one more try.... THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!!

 

Every day!  It may take a

Every day!  It may take a couple months but it gets easier.  You are not alone!

TheJackster

Thank you SO MUCH for the comments on this subject! I was just diagnosed with stage 2 cervical cancer on Sept 5, 2024. :( Of course, I was going down the "Google Rabbit Hole," at first and it's great to actually see this discussed here. I agree with jhopkins…I'm going to be 55 at the end of the month and I'm not dead! LOL I'm concerned about this but know very little about it. Are there any other therapies other than the dilators, etc that are on this post and CMT website? I really wish us gals would talk more about it!!!