Re: surgery vs no surgery
From: Jaynie Jarvis (hipjaynie@webtv.net)
Sat Apr 20 00:17:44 2002
At Fri, 19 Apr 2002, anonymous wrote:
>
>At Fri, 11 Feb 2000, Tina Shelby wrote:
>>
>>JAnet,
>>
>>I just wanted to add my 2 cents worth about having surgery or not having
>>surgery.
>>
>>I have had no less than 12 abdominal surgeries for adhesions. After each
>>surgery, I would have pain relief, for a time, then the pain wouold return
>>with a vengence. Each time, I sought a surgeon who would go in and "clean
>>up" the adhesions and take out whatever the adhesions had caused, such as
>>ovarian cysts/tumors. My last surgery all but cost me my life. I had a total
>>abd. hyst but also had a nicked bowel. I spent a week in ICU with my family
>>not knowing if I was going to live or die. My husband still can not talk
>>about the horrible experience without getting emotional. Seprafilm was used,
>>but because of the infection, it did not help.
>>
>>After about 9 months, the pain was back again. It was at this point, I
>>decided not to put my family/myself through another potentially
>>life-threatening surgery but sought pain-management. This does not mean I
>>have lost hope, on the contrary, I am at peace with my decision. The
>>medicines/diet are working to control the episodes of what I describe as
>>"sucidial levels" of pain.
>>
>>I am in the process of getting disability as I can not work and take these
>>medicines. I am looking into starting my own home-based business and I am
>>co-authoring a book. Although life is not fair, (not that anyone said that
>>it would be) - I am using what I have and am going to live my life to the
>>fullest - and not let the pain get the better of me. I could feel sorry for
>>myself, but what benifit is that? I don't understand why this has happened
>>to me. I could be bitter, just sit down and let life pass me by, but what a
>>waste of life that would be.
>>
>>So, I just wanted to let you all know, that if the time comes, where surgery
>>is no more the option of choice (or the cure), you can live with ahesions
>>(with pain management) and have a productive life, even though it may be a
>>bit different that what you had envisioned for yourself. So don't be
>>discouraged because surgery does not have to be your only option. I will not
>>have surgery again, unless I totally obstruct and have not other choice.
>>
>>Tina
I was ready to have a surgery last week but this week I think I can live
with the pain as long as I have my meds. I just know if I have one that
eventually they will cut my bowel or bladder . Tina did you loose a lot
of your bowels ? Everytime you let them go in you are taking a big
gamble. I have had 4 with 3 being to cut out adhesions. After each one
I never stopped hurting for even a day. By the time I was healed from
surgery they had built there webs all over again . It seems useless for
me. I'm glad you atleast got some relief between surgeries. That must
be why you kept trying. You gave it a good try too. I think your
right, it is time to learn to live with our disablities. I am thinking
of a hobbie or something to help me feeel useful and more fullfilled.
Because I have trouble doing what I used to do like gardening and riding
behide my hubby on our motor cycle . I will ride whether it hurts or
not !!! Dammit !! So that is my 2 cents worth for today anyway! Have a
wonderful weekend, love Jaynie