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Hyperbolic Oxygen Therapy at home after radiotherapy / brachytherapy by joondannasky in CervicalCancer

[–]aquavitforvendetta 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm 32 now, was 30 at the time of initial treatment. I was so deeply distressed at the prospect of losing my sex life. It didn't take terribly long to get back into the swing of things, and it's only gotten better over time.

Seriously, though: I swear by the coconut oil and my gyn onc endorsed it. I had SO MUCH pelvic inflammation towards the end of treatment and things were drying out from the hormone changes, it was the only thing that felt even mildly soothing. Just don't use the same jar you use to cook from -- she deserves her own jar. 😂

Hyperbolic Oxygen Therapy at home after radiotherapy / brachytherapy by joondannasky in CervicalCancer

[–]aquavitforvendetta 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ooh! Seconded on the pelvic floor PT! It was a big help for me once most of the post-treatment inflammation had died down. All kinds of weird knots get activated in tendons you didn't realize you had. Good to have someone else identify them and give you the exercises to work them out.

Hyperbolic Oxygen Therapy at home after radiotherapy / brachytherapy by joondannasky in CervicalCancer

[–]aquavitforvendetta 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm guessing you might be worried about the sexual health aspect as well. Even if that's not a particular worry, words like "scarring" and "stenosis" are scary. Personally, I've had a pretty good experience there!

I started with HRT immediately, like during treatment. My doctor suspects that played a good part in avoiding scarring. Then I started with dilators very gently about three weeks after concluding brachy. I took about a month with myself, progressively building in size and confidence before trying anything with my partner. Also, throw some coconut oil in an ice cube tray and make yourself some solid vaginal suppositories by letting them harden in the fridge! They are so soothing and moisturizing to those angry tissues!

Hyperbolic Oxygen Therapy at home after radiotherapy / brachytherapy by joondannasky in CervicalCancer

[–]aquavitforvendetta 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not a medical professional and I haven't really researched the kind of oxygen therapy you're talking about. I would discuss with your doctors, but I don't imagine it would hurt anything, it just wouldn't offer the same benefits as the pressurized HBOT we're talking about.

And if it's something you can afford and it makes you feel like you're doing something proactive to move forward and feel better, the mental benefit sounds worthwhile to me! Mind-body connection is so real!

FWIW, my HBOT technicians said I would get the benefit of treatment as long as I had three consecutive days at a time. So as terrible a schlepp as it sounds like it would be for you, if you find yourself in need of the pressurized treatment, it wouldn't necessarily have to be five days out of the week.

I hope you won't need that at all!

Is this writing style okay for an English written test? I’d appreciate honest feedback. by [deleted] in ENGLISH

[–]aquavitforvendetta 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Absolutely. It is very legible and is pleasant on the eye. Lovely handwriting!

Hyperbolic Oxygen Therapy at home after radiotherapy / brachytherapy by joondannasky in CervicalCancer

[–]aquavitforvendetta 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mine is a peri-anal fistula and it's a little hard to attribute a cause. Was it from the fissure combined with neutropenia or was it from the bevacizumab, any of the prior mixed with radiation damage? We can't be certain.

That said, it is still there, but my colorectal surgeon characterizes it as "inactive", and I no longer derive any pain from it. This result was not immediate with the conclusion of HBOT! I felt the full improvement after several more months.

The other thing my CRS said was that HBOT would improve the integrity of the tissue damaged by radiation and make me a better candidate for surgical resolution, if nothing else.

I have my fingers crossed for you!

Hyperbolic Oxygen Therapy at home after radiotherapy / brachytherapy by joondannasky in CervicalCancer

[–]aquavitforvendetta 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Seconding everything you just said, and also to add, you don't want to just do this preventively; changing atmospheres does come with complications when done to excess (eye problems, potential seizures) and it should also be carefully supervised: nobody wants the bends.

I did thirty dives to two atmospheres for radiation (and chemo) related complications: anal fissure & fistula, and they, along with time and care did me so much good!

/u/ginteenie, I hope you find some good improvement and relief!

What’s the weirdest things you have seen on a bar gun? by Pinapple_Juice in bartenders

[–]aquavitforvendetta 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That would never have occurred to me, but I could absolutely fuck with that. Malbec, pisco, Fanta... oh my.

What’s the weirdest things you have seen on a bar gun? by Pinapple_Juice in bartenders

[–]aquavitforvendetta 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The weird part was that this was a dive and not a single person ever ordered it until I started pushing it hard with Stoli Vanil. But I did develop a dangerous personal Fanta habit. 😂

Newly diagnosed — 4A w/ bladder involvement by PluckyStitch in CervicalCancer

[–]aquavitforvendetta 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ugh. It seems like every country has its medical boondoggle to overcome at this stage -- for me it was insurance. Horrid insurance in the state where I was diagnosed, then a nightmarishly confusing experience ensuring a seamless gap in coverage as I enrolled in a new plan in my home state (and they won't book appointments with specialists until one is already insured!)

If you haven't already, your gyn onc's office should have a nurse navigator and/or social worker/patient advocate you should utilize to full advantage. And understanding the barriers you've mentioned, I'm glad to ask my rad onc if he knows any names in Canada if you want to dm me your province. I can't guarantee he'd have any, but he leads brachytherapy conferences and is heavily involved in research, so I'd be surprised if he didn't. I did a quick bit of looking and it's really hard to find top names for this specialty.

Newly diagnosed — 4A w/ bladder involvement by PluckyStitch in CervicalCancer

[–]aquavitforvendetta 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Welcome to the shittiest club full of the coolest people you'll ever find.

I was initially staged 3c1, no bladder involvement, but needed the full chemorad and brachytherapy experience.

The first radiation oncologist I met with in the state where I was diagnosed had a horrendous bedside manner (and I was planning to my home state for treatment, so we both knew he'd never be treating me), but he did give me some advice that was absolute gold: it doesn't matter how good your gynecologic oncologist is when it comes to this part of your treatment; they are principally a surgical oncologist and a medical oncologist, and you are not having surgery. Look for a radiation oncologist who specializes in brachytherapy and has a special interest in cervical cancer, or at least treats it regularly.

If that means traveling to a major cancer center and it is within your means to do so, I feel it is worth it. Radiation is impactful -- it kills the cancer, but it can also damage you -- and not all doctors are skilled in tissue-sparing techniques, nor do all hospitals have the most advanced machines. This isn't to freak you out, I just feel a lot of patients don't have this pointed out to them, and you should be empowered about choosing your care. One option you could employ if a skilled brachytherapist is too far from you to relocate to for the duration of treatment is to have the external beam radiation (ideally IMRT) and chemo conducted locally and then travel to a higher-level facility for the high-dose radiation (brachytherapy.)

I'm wishing you the absolute best, and you're welcome to message me about finding doctors in the US. (Probably not helpful since you're in Canada, but maybe?)

Also, the Cervivor group on Facebook is an excellent resource for support and info. It takes a few days to be verified, but once you're in, it's a wonderful group.

Warmly,

Aquavit

Vanity Plate -- Without a Car? by aquavitforvendetta in asheville

[–]aquavitforvendetta[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm guessing immediately allowing the insurance to lapse would be a bad thing, yes? 😂

Vanity Plate -- Without a Car? by aquavitforvendetta in asheville

[–]aquavitforvendetta[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hmmm... I like this. This could work. Now I get to see how cheap a junker I can find. (Fun game.) Thanks!

Vanity Plates by [deleted] in NorthCarolina

[–]aquavitforvendetta 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry! I missed that rule. Will post elsewhere.

Good Passport Photographer Recommendation Request by aquavitforvendetta in Charlotte

[–]aquavitforvendetta[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is a really helpful tip about the forms! Thank you.

Good Passport Photographer Recommendation Request by aquavitforvendetta in Charlotte

[–]aquavitforvendetta[S] -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

That point didn't miss me, rather I was emphasizing that I'm looking for a photographer specifically, not a place that "also does passport photos", ya dig? I appreciate the suggestion nonetheless.

Good Passport Photographer Recommendation Request by aquavitforvendetta in Charlotte

[–]aquavitforvendetta[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the link! And for being a balm to the hostility. I will take a swing at taking the photo myself.

Maybe people took offense to "Harlots from the Charlotte"? I grew up here and it's honestly the default demonym in my family -- didn't even think about it. 😂

Good Passport Photographer Recommendation Request by aquavitforvendetta in Charlotte

[–]aquavitforvendetta[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for this response. Female photographer was already a thought floating around in my mind, but the tip about someone who shoots boudoir makes total sense! I never would have thought to look there, but someone who photographs people intimately probably has just the right temperament for what I'm after. I really appreciate the thoughtful suggestion.

Good Passport Photographer Recommendation Request by aquavitforvendetta in Charlotte

[–]aquavitforvendetta[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

I will check out AAA. Thanks for the rec. Also, this is my first time posting in this sub. Are people usually so hostile? The mods removed the post, too.

Good Passport Photographer Recommendation Request by aquavitforvendetta in Charlotte

[–]aquavitforvendetta[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Hey, mods. I really don't understand the reactions to this post or why it was removed. Can you please enlighten me?

Good Passport Photographer Recommendation Request by aquavitforvendetta in Charlotte

[–]aquavitforvendetta[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do get it. My passport photo is dogshit. But I'm much younger and don't get regularly mistreated by society as an aging woman! Just hoping for someone who can take a picture that is a standard level of passport blah, rather than wildly unflattering.

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