Catherine's Story Continued........

I was very cold and shaking uncontrollably; they placed some type of blanket that blows hot air over me.  I had steri-strips (no staples; I was told this would minimize scarring) over the 7-in. incision (MUCH bigger than I thought it’d be, but I look at the scar as a well-earned trophy, of sorts). In recovery it was discovered that I had bled through the dressing so the dressing, the bedding & my gown had to be changed.  I had no pain at first but was still numb for quite some time afterwards, and still had the epi catheter in my back which was hooked up to a pump that administered Demerol (I believe) every few minutes. 

I was given Toradol every 4 hours, as well, via IV.  I had no nausea, NO appetite whatsoever, and a Foley catheter.  I can’t recall when they first got me out of bed and sitting in a chair – I don’t believe it was the first night.  After that, I went for short walks down the hall.  On Monday morning, the anesthesiologist came in and removed the epi catheter, and the Foley was removed, also.  I was supposed to attempt to urinate normally and the PVR measured afterwards but the nurse forgot and didn’t do it.  That afternoon, Dr. S dropped by and wasn’t too happy that I had been peeing all day with no one measuring PVR.  They did it right then and I retained 300 cc, I believe; same thing, next time.  He told me I had 3 choices – stay another night and try again the next day, go home with the Foley, or go home self-cath’ing.  I chose the Foley and was told that I would have to come back to the doc’s office on Friday for a voiding trial; if I “passed,” they would remove the Foley at that time.  I left the hospital about 10:00 p.m. on Monday night.  I was given prescriptions for hydrocodone and Macrobid.  The ride home (an hour) was excruciating! Next morning, I attempted to eat something – not because I wanted to (I didn’t; still no appetite) but because the prescription label said, “Take with Food.”  In the hospital I’d had only ice chips & a Popsicle (they never asked and I guess no one ever checked those trays!) so was unprepared for my body’s response to the chicken soup I tried at home.  I wretched & wretched -- it hurt soooo much and I was terrified that I had ruined everything.  My hubby phoned the doc who was not too pleased to find out that I had not been eating (oops!).  He called in some Phenergan suppositories and that took care of it. 

We went to the doc’s office on Friday, I passed the voiding trial and went home, sans Foley.  Other than that, my recovery was uneventful with the exception of the near-healed incision starting to swell & ooze a bit at 1 mo. post-op (nothing serious).  In February-March, I went through PT at my doc’s office (biofeedback & muscle stim) in hopes of strengthening the pelvic floor as a preventative measure. Currently I am still experiencing some minor problems.  This is very frustrating as I tend to like things “neat & tidy,” and constant dr. appt.’s were not part of the plan.  I have occasional leakage but thus far only in the mornings when I first get out of bed.  I have a posterior bulge which presents late in the day, some days more pronounced than others, and I often have to “splint” with bm’s.  I have pain in my tailbone when I sit for an extended length of time (always after seeing a movie; I dread my first long flight or car ride and can’t imagine what that will feel like).  AND, I am having pain after intercourse which ranges from moderate to severe and lasts for 2-3 days.  I am presently working with my doc in hopes of getting some relief from this, I’d like to add some personal opinions – I figure by this point, I’ve earned the right to give a bit of advice

1)     DO NOT submit to repairs done by an ob/gyn or urologist.  Think about it this way – if you were going to have your house remodeled, would you ask the carpenter (even if he knows how) to lay your carpet?  Or would you want someone who spends his time doing NOTHING but carpet (and consequently has developed impeccable skill)?  Most women are more careful choosing a hair stylist!  My gyne and uro are great doctors – but this is NOT their specialty.

2)     If possible, DO NOT schedule your surgery during cold/flu season OR peak allergy seasons.  Get your flu shot, avoid people with upper respiratory infections, and/or take allergy medications during and after your recovery.  Coughing & sneezing are your enemy

3)     DO NOT be timid about speaking up and asking questions.  Your surgeon is your partner – a contemporary, NOT a superior.  He/she may be the one with the know-how & skill to fix you, but YOU are his/her testimony.  Never forget that!

4)     Educate yourself.  Take your time.  DO NOT be pressured, frightened, or intimidated into a decision that is not your own.  This is YOUR body, and the results will belong solely to you!

5)     Follow post-op restrictions carefully.  A laparoscopic or vaginal surgery with less discomfort and a seemingly quicker recovery might tempt you to do too much, too soon.  Resist that temptation.  DO NOT consent to surgery until you are fully prepared to commit to 6-8 weeks of rest.

6)     Keep your expectations realistic.  If you’re looking for a miracle, you’ll most likely be disappointed.  Think about it this way – if a person were disfigured by a car accident, fire, etc., a surgeon will most likely be able to make a dramatic improvement in that person’s appearance but will not be able to restore them to their pre-injury condition.  Expect excellent results, but NOT perfection.

It’s been a long road getting to this point.  In spite of the minor problems I’m now experiencing, the degree of improvement is so dramatic that I am very satisfied with (and grateful for) my outcome.  I’m not sure I will ever get over the sense that I have of myself being spoiled and ruined; that is very, very difficult to deal with (and talk about).  As well, I have residual anger towards the ob/gyn who so casually destroyed me during childbirth.  What I have seen & heard these past several years that I have been researching has led me to believe, without doubt, that prolapse affects women psychologically just as much (if not more so) as it does physically.  If only there were surgery for the soul ....

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