Bleeding years after cancer and chemo

snyderpm

Posts: 40
Joined: Dec 2009

Oct 09, 2019 - 11:04 pm

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.

Donna Faye

Posts: 255
Joined: Jan 2017

Oct 10, 2019 - 8:53 am

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.

cmb

Posts: 377
Joined: Jan 2018

Oct 10, 2019 - 11:40 am

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.

zsazsa1

Posts: 344
Joined: Oct 2018

Oct 10, 2019 - 3:59 pm

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.

snyderpm

Posts: 40
Joined: Dec 2009

Oct 10, 2019 - 8:22 pm

Thank you all for your comments. They are very helpful, and I feel better already. I have contacted a gyno/oncol and they are going to set me up with an appointment, but you know that will probably take weeks..

Northwoodsgirl

Posts: 536
Joined: Oct 2009

Oct 20, 2019 - 11:19 pm

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

Kaleena

Posts: 1976
Joined: Nov 2009

Oct 21, 2019 - 10:50 pm

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

Forherself

Posts: 227
Joined: Jan 2019

Oct 23, 2019 - 9:02 pm

Good luck tomorrow

Hopefully it will be a benign bleed. Praying for you. I admire your attitude too. Hugs to you.

suzycruise76

Posts: 98
Joined: Mar 2019

Oct 24, 2019 - 10:34 am

Kaleena,

crossing my fingers for you!

Suzy

Armywife

Posts: 319
Joined: Feb 2018

Oct 24, 2019 - 10:44 am

Snyder and Kaleena

Praying now for both of you! Let us know how these appointments go.

Kaleena

Posts: 1976
Joined: Nov 2009

Oct 24, 2019 - 8:35 pm

Good news

Good news. Nothing out of ordinary. The doctor only said if I should have another episode to call and then they would move my scans up. Otherwise good to go!

Thanks for the prayers!