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