Vaginal bleeding

[Kiheimom]

I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in Feb of 06, It was a stage III and underwent a hysterectomy and de-bulking procedure with the removal of my cervix and 18 inches of colon. I had to have a colostomy for 10 months and then was removed to be reconnected. Everything was fine until 6 months ago when I started to have some problems with bowel movement either with constipation or diarrhea. I had a CT scan 2 months ago in which a mass was seen and estimated to be the size of a hard ball. I have currently been experiencing most recently for the past few weeks I problem with severe diarrhea nightly that keeps me up for several hours due to stomach pains and discomfort. I also have begun to have vaginal bleeding for the past week. I have tried to get medical help and they are trying to convince me to ignore and enjoy my current state of life. I am a single mom with twin fifteen olds and they do not have a father. I would appreciate any suggestions and advice you may have for my situation.

Mahalo,
Kihei Mom

[Kiheimom]

Thank you so much for all your ideas and suggestions. You have all been so informative... more so then my Dr. has been. I have a CT scan set up for Thursday morning, I can't take barium since I am allergic to the contrast and I will also have LAST visit with the Dr on Friday to get all my records, so I can move on to another Dr. I am not on chemo at this time and I do not take any pain meds. I sure hope that I will have definitive answers with the next scan, do you need to take a contrast for the PET CT scan? I don't know if we even have the capability to have that kind of scan on Maui. I may need to fly to Oahu to get that kind of scan.

I am still having the bleeding from the vagina, the diarrhea has improved a bit.

I have another question about my feet... since I had my surgery and chemo 2 1/2 years I have had numbness in my feet, at first my Dr. said this was normal and due to the chemo and it could take years for the feeling to come back, now I feel as if the numbness in moving up my feet to my ankles, have any of you felt this? Have you found any relief for this?

I appreciate all your help and I wish I had seen this site even sooner.

Sandy

[Tybear]

I too, was diagnosed stage 3c over three years ago. I had a recurrence 7 months after finishing chemo and I know one of my tumors is at the end of my vaginal cuff. I started having vaginal bleeding a while back and actually passed a surgical clip - needless to say, I ran to the ER, convinced my insides were falling apart! Nothing ever really came of that...it happened again a couple weeks later and I was evaluated by a gynecologist who said she didn't see anything of concern. It's never happened since...
I do feel that this is a concern that needs to be addressed - I had a hard time convincing the ER doc this as even an issue...HELLO?! How can you have vaginal bleeding when your missing your cervix and uterus?? He told me people pass surgical clips all the time...yeah, but three years after surgery? I walked out of there shaking my head and called my oncologist's office, who then sent me to see a gynecologist. I would suggest you consult with someone else...
As for the diarreah, I think the acidopholous is a great idea...it replaces all of the good bacteria in your colon that meds and such messes with. You may also want to ask your doctor what part of your colon you had removed. I didn't find out until much later after my surgery that certain parts of your colon are responsible for different functions and for absorbing certain nutrients. I'm not saying this is your issue here, I'm just suggesting that it might be something to look into once your feeling well enough.
Bottom line - we know our bodies the best. Don't let anyone tell you differently...if you feel that there is a problem, keep pushing until you find someone who will listen and help you.
Best of luck,
Becky

[crecco]

  I have to agree. If a mass was seen 2 months ago, then your Dr should be doing something about it. If he is telling you to ignore it and enjoy life then I think it is time that you find another Dr. And you need to do this yesterday! Please do not put this off any longer. You know your own body and you know when things are not right. Do not let them convice you other wise. There is no reason for you to be going through what you are. Call your Dr immediatly and tell him you want to know just what is going on. There is a mass there, why isn't he doing anything about it? If he still tries to convince you to ignore it, then start looking for someone who will listen to you, take you seriously, and try to do something about it. But please do not put it off any longer. A lot can happen in two months.
  I wish you the best and please let us know what you find out.
  Chris

[Cindy809]

Susie...treating her symptoms of diarrhea and ulcer is just masking what is really going on here.  She also has constipation!  Sorry Susie!  You are very sweet but you are missing the point here.  This is not a fluffy happy situation.  She doesn't need something "yummy"  A CT scan is a barium scan.  She is having an ovarian cancer recurrence symtoms with a possible blockage!!! Very serious!  She has a baseball sized tumor!!!  And it sounds like the doctor isn't treating it!!!!  She is bleeding from her vagina!!!!  Sending her off with multidopholus and more medication isn't going to help her tumor and the bleeding! The doctors are not taking her seriously enough.  Your advise sounds the same way!  She is desperate!  Please, I know you meant no harm and I am no doctor but it is obvious she needs medical attention immediately!!!!  I don't want to hurt your feelings but this woman needs more than luck, she needs help!!!  Cindy

[survivor_susie]

I wanted to add that you might see if the doctors would consider doing a barium scan to check for a stomach ulcer.  It causes diarrhea at night time.  Pain medication can cause ulcers.  An easy thing to fix with current medication.  Been there, done that.

In the meantime, I highly recommend going to a health food store and buying a product called multidopholus plus.  It's in the refrigerator. I take one which is chewable and cherry flavored. It's yummy, and helped me through radiation.  All it does is replace the natural bacteria, which chemo and radiation kills, that our digestive tracts need for digestion.  It can't hurt.

Very best of luck to you.

[Cindy809]

Hello ... I am so sorry that you are going through this!!!!  It sounds like you have had a recurrence of this disease.  I can't answer your question about the vaginal bleeding but it sounds like you might be having a partial blockage and you need medical attention.  Is there another gyn onc that could help you?  Are you on chemo?  If not, you should be to help shrink the tumor.  Is it on your bowel? The CT scan was 2 months ago and a lot could happen during that time with active disease.  Ask for a PetCT and you will get a better picture of what is going on inside.  I would demand help!!  You are in pain!  You have something going on inside that is causing the constipation and diarrhea.  If it is a partial blockage it can me managed in the hospital.  You do not want it to get any worse!!!!  The next time a doctor tells you to ignore and enjoy your current life, tell him how could that be possible with all the pain and that you are suffering!!!!  Take control and don't let anyone take charge of your life.  You have young children.  Let the doctor know that you are responsible for these children and that you want a better quality of life.  Please keep us posted....Cindy