Hello 

I’m now just under 9 weeks post operative recovery from a radical vulval excision and lymph nodes removed from one side of my groin after being diagnosed with vulval cancer. Mine was a direct result of having lichen sclerosis. 

In the new year I’ll be starting 5 weeks of radiotherapy. I’m really quite worried about the effects and the longer-term implications, particularly for my sexual relationship  with my husband. I’m 54, had been through the menopause and am not feeling massively sexy but... I don’t want to feel like this is it! The radiotherapy apparently shortens and narrows the vagina and makes sex (which frankly for me is already often painful) more painful. 

Im also really quite worried about the state of my skin and how sore I’ll be. 

Ive still got some soreness after the operation and a lot of numbness and I’d be really super grateful to hear from anyone who has had the same operation and could share their experiences. 

Thank you to anyone who responds.