Dear Judy,
I was diagnosed with vulvar cancer in December 23rd.
They left me a phone message: “Your test results came back, you have cancer, Merry Christmas!”
I’ve seen the doctor once since then for some tests when they put me in a big tube for some x-rays or something.
When I asked my doctor questions, he says he needs further testing first. I am beginning to think he just wants to bill the insurance company for every penny until my insurance benefits run out.
I have a bloody sore on my vagina, which is getting bigger. Why can’t they just burn the blasted thing off? My husband is in awe of doctors and just say, WAIT….
Ruth
Dear Ruth,
I think you already know what you have to do. Any doctor who allows personnel to phone patients with the message, “You have cancer, have a merry Christmas,” needs to be fired. At once.
Any doctor who allows a vulvar sore to get bigger, without taking steps to remove it needs to be fired. At once.
Vulvar cancer is, as you possibly know, very rare, accounting for less than 1 percent of all cancers in women in the United States. HOWEVER: it needs immediate diagnosis and immediate medical care. The doctor needs to perform a biopsy — most likely with an instrument called a colposcope which identifies abnormal cell growth.
You very likely had an MRI (that was the tube you mentioned) which is also a good idea and possibly a cystoscopy with a lighted tube to make sure the cancer hasn’t spread to the bladder.
What concerns me is your doctor has answered none of your vital questions. Ask around for a recommendation among your friends, and get a new one who is both skilled and sympathetic. Don’t wait a second more.
Thanks for writing
Judy
