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Bleeding years after cancer and chemo
Hi girls, I am back with more worries. Several months ago I posted about my CA125 going up for the first time in 8 yrs post chemo, and it turned out to be from pelvic inflamation due to periformis injection with steroids, 2 days prior to getting my blood analysis. Got that scare out of the way, and now I have another one. Maybe you will have some knowledge you can share.
This past Friday, while peeing there was blood when I wiped myself. It was like a glob of blood, not a flood, but not just a spot, and that was it. Not a drop since then. September 18 my CA 125 was 5, and has always been a true indicator for me. I have read up on it some, and it can be from thinning of the vagina causing it to bleed, or a tear in the vaginal cuff, etc. I cannot tell that there is anything wrong with me physically. I am 75 so I don't run the 100 yard dash anymore, but I do ride my horse several times a week, and have the energy to do it. The irony of this is that I just had my port out and I had it 8 years and 8 months. Appreciate any comments.
Comments
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Not the same but curious
Your post caught my eye as I have something going on, not same, but connected. I am 79, and stopped dilating last Jan. due to bleeding from blood thinners and radiated vagina. I am 18 mos.NED until I had a CT last week and it showed a golf size mass of liquid. I am going off blood thinners so doc can do a pelvic. I had 8 brachys so very closed vagina. Gyn/onc doc thinks it is perhaps blood or just fluid but we have to see. I had hoped things in the vagina were done but not so. So, depending on your vagina's condition, it might just be something breaking loose. Do have it checked out. But I know how you feel. I feel good and was planning getting back on my horse this month and now this. Darn! Keep us posted.
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Single Bleeding Incident
About six months after I finished treatment (chemo and external radiation) I had vaginal bleeding one Sunday. It was bright red and made a sizeable spot, with lesser amounts the rest of the day. I had just had my three months cancer follow-up exam a couple of weeks before, where everything looked fine.
Although I called the gynecological oncologist's office the next morning, I was already scheduled that day to see my primary care physician for a regular checkup. Since she had done my pap smears and pelvic/rectal exams for many years before I had cancer, the nurse at the gynecological oncologist's office agreed that the PCP should check out a possible cause of the bleeding.
The PCP did a thorough vaginal/rectal exam, but found nothing that would explain the bleeding (which had already stopped overnight). I didn't not have any more bleeding. However, just to be on the safe side, the gynecological oncologist ordered a CT-scan when I went for my next follow-up exam with him a couple of months later. The CT-scan didn't show any sign of cancer.
I still don't know why I had the bleeding – I hadn't done anything out of the ordinary the day before. It was worrisome, but it hasn't recurred. Another CT-scan last February was also negative for cancer.
So I can't shed any light on why you had bleeding, but I know that I felt better after my PCP did her exam and didn't find anything that looked amiss. It may be worth it for your piece of mind to schedule a doctor visit.
I'm glad to hear that the rise in CA125 was due to just the steroids and that all is well on that front, especially since it has been a reliable indicator for you.
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I'd call your doctor. Common
I'd call your doctor. Common things happen commonly, and UTIs happen very commonly in older women - can be without the usual painful, frequent urination. And of course you could have a break in the vaginal cuff. After all this time, I'm it's unlikely to be a recurrence.
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Spotting years later
I agree with the others that for peace of mind see your physician. Sometimes women have a bit of a prolapse of the vaginal wall and as a result tissues can fall down and be irritated by toilet paper. Also as mentioned a urinary tract infection or early bladder infection is possible. It sounds like even the horseback riding could cause some irritation. Glad you have an appointment.
Lori
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Going through similar
Hmmm. Last Tuesday this happened to me. I am 59 years old. i do get stomach pains which I have been keeping track of and I had them last weekend (and today). Then Tuesday (15th) I was not myself at work. Had a slight headache and lower back ache. When I went home I went to the bathroom and was surprised to see what appeared to be a light period (I wear bladder pads). When I wiped it was red and pink. Then after awhile pink and that's it. I called my doctors on Wednesday and then called gyne/onc who I have an appointment with on Thursday (24th)
I did have a recurrence at the vaginal cuff and along the rectum. I had that surgery in 2018 with a positive lymph node. Because it was all removed I had no treatment I have scans scheduled with my surgical doctor (who I follow up with) on December 5th I'll let you know what goes on Thursday
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Good luck tomorrowKaleena said:Going through similar
Hmmm. Last Tuesday this happened to me. I am 59 years old. i do get stomach pains which I have been keeping track of and I had them last weekend (and today). Then Tuesday (15th) I was not myself at work. Had a slight headache and lower back ache. When I went home I went to the bathroom and was surprised to see what appeared to be a light period (I wear bladder pads). When I wiped it was red and pink. Then after awhile pink and that's it. I called my doctors on Wednesday and then called gyne/onc who I have an appointment with on Thursday (24th)
I did have a recurrence at the vaginal cuff and along the rectum. I had that surgery in 2018 with a positive lymph node. Because it was all removed I had no treatment I have scans scheduled with my surgical doctor (who I follow up with) on December 5th I'll let you know what goes on Thursday
Hopefully it will be a benign bleed. Praying for you. I admire your attitude too. Hugs to you.
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Kaleena,Kaleena said:Going through similar
Hmmm. Last Tuesday this happened to me. I am 59 years old. i do get stomach pains which I have been keeping track of and I had them last weekend (and today). Then Tuesday (15th) I was not myself at work. Had a slight headache and lower back ache. When I went home I went to the bathroom and was surprised to see what appeared to be a light period (I wear bladder pads). When I wiped it was red and pink. Then after awhile pink and that's it. I called my doctors on Wednesday and then called gyne/onc who I have an appointment with on Thursday (24th)
I did have a recurrence at the vaginal cuff and along the rectum. I had that surgery in 2018 with a positive lymph node. Because it was all removed I had no treatment I have scans scheduled with my surgical doctor (who I follow up with) on December 5th I'll let you know what goes on Thursday
crossing my fingers for you!
Suzy
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