Lap complications
From: Vict. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri Apr 28 09:18:17 2000
I was reading through the message archives yesterday and came across
Christine's story. I wrote a letter to the board but through my tears
hit the wrong button. By that time I was so wiped out I walked away
from the puter. I could relate to most of Christine's symptoms. My
belly too blew up to 9 months pregnant size...I relived it all over
again as I read and my heart cried.
I form horrible keloids. My scars are not pretty neat white
lines...they are raised bumps that stay furiously red for
years...sometimes always staying red (not just surgical scars).
I am in the process of organizing all the data I"ve collected over the
years. I have two "retired" physicians who are willing to help go over
the data and would really like to gather more statistics.
The number of people who've been harmed is incredible. It's not just
during surgery for adhesions...but oftentimes the injuries were related
to adhesions. I've also seen many people harmed because they would not
be listened to...because the doc knew best...I know there are several
issues here...I have to practice isolating them. Basically I"d like to
see us all become informed consumers. We often know our bodies better
than anyone else. We really should have a voice...
I met a whole group of men who were suffering from symptoms of adhesions
too. They formed a support group...they had all the symptoms of
adhesion problems and had complications seeming to stem from
adhesions...yet had never heard of them.
sorry if I am breaking off on tangents...having much pain this day.
Water: sorry 'bout that. Yes, I do drink that much. I tend to
dehydrate if I don't. I toss in electolytes periodically as they seem
(from blood tests) to really get off balance. Part of this may be due
to heat, medications, my personal body, bladder injury, and my bowel
injury. I've been told that because now I have large section of bowel
missing that it's easy to dehydrate...I've not really looked into it but
don't want to take chances (and I have been treated for dehydration
several times). Geez...I didn't think it was that much
water...sometimes I can drink more...I was out shopping one day and in
less than half an hour drank a gallon. I have no swelling...no
edema...not overweight...I"ll check with the doc although he knows I do
and encourages it. I take lots of vitamins etc...I tend to run fevers a
lot...something about microscopic pockets of infection in the abdomen
and possibly the inflamation. When pain gets out of hand I tend to
sweat profusely. Pours off my face...soaks my hair...and I do recieve
proper treatment for pain.
Surgical history. Approximatly 12 surgeries in the course of my life
both laparotomy and laparoscopic. Adhesion formation after all. First
time they went in no adhesions. second time some adhesions. third time
don't know. Fourth time obliterated by adhesions. Fifth time c-sec.
sixth time unreal amount of thick, dense vascular adhesions. seventh
time c-sec. Eighth time told going to get worse with surgery...never
have scope done...laparotomy only if life threatening sympt. ninth new
doc didn't listen...tenth-life saving surg. eleventh...doc wanted to
"make it up to me"...twelth Life-Saving due to damage ...need more
surgery due to other injuries sustained during the ninth and eleventh
surgeries...can't do it though. Was initially refused proper life
saving treatment...treatment I was reccomended would have killed me. I
sought opinions...not treatment...from over a dozen docs across the
country...many professors...conclusion: the doc was correct after the
eighth surgery...No More!!
There are people who suffer life threatening complications... some
can't be helped...many could have...I've listened to the
stories...People have died too...some from the surgery, some because
they were not listened too, some due to arrogance, some because they
were sent home from ER's without proper diagnostics.
I have a friend who suffered for years from what she suspected was
adhesion pain...She was to have a vaginal hysterectomy...I believe with
scope assistance not sure...Anway she pleaded...begged for a laparotomy.
The doc said Nope...your insurance will not cover it. She cried...she
told him you just don't understand...She was worried about her
bladder...Well, the outcome was she suffered injury to her bladder...she
is still having problems...she's been walking around with a catheter for
quite a while...uncomfortable...humiliated...doc isn't sure if things
will be okay...other damage too. The doc said...I am soooo sorry.
Apologizes every time he sees her and feels really bad. He asked, well
how did you know I couldn't do surgery this way? She ended up with
horrible infection too. When the doc went in he was not prepared for
what met him...even though his patient tried to tell him...she's not a
doctor...she didn't have the proper words.
Well I just rambled on huh? Sorry everyone. Bad morning today though. I
wish good health to all of you!!
Ya know, when people are hurt...their familes and friends suffer
to...matter of fact many times the entire community suffers I believe
all of...regardless of our "status"...have a great deal to contribute
and do contribute...Also, if the surgeries are not helping...what about
the option of pain control...keeping a close eye on the patient...and if
they are having bowel problems then considering surgery?
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