Hi all! I asked Vic if he would create this group and hope to get a great response!
I thought this would be a good place for us to talk about pending surgeries, past surgeries, options to surgery, experiences and advice in preparation and healing.
Personally I have been to the OR 13 times thus far since the age of 2. I also work in the medical field and thought maybe I could be of some help to someone.
Please share with us what is on your mind!
Thanks for the thoughts and new group !!!!
Thank you no one.
I would also love to get feedback on how someone can help a loved one while they are in and then post surgery.
mc what type of surgery?
if i had an understanding of what type of surgery, i can hope to offer you ideas specific to his/her needs.
mC what kind of surgery ???
Hello - I am new to this whole on-line thing. I just stumbled on the site, and was hoping to find a connection with anyone who has lasting difficulties after surgery.
I had a sacrocolpopexy and a rectopexy in March of 2009. It became necessary due to complications 10 years after a hysterectomy.
It would be nice to get to know anyone who has lasting intestinal troubles after surgery...I was told that I had a 50/50 chance of chronic pain and a 50/50 chance of regaining normal function. It has been a long and difficult ride so far.
Welcome BTE! Glad you found the site. I have long-term post-surgical issues, but not from my hysterectomy. I have had several surgeries, the most serious being 2 spinal fusions I had as a pre-teen. I have some nerve damage, pain and muscle spasms on a daily basis. I have gotten used to it and manage with OTC pain relievers and patches. On my worst days, I make sure I try to rest a bit more.
Other than that, I am fully functional. I have to be. I don't have a choice. I just try to focus on anything but the pain. I find when I do focus on the pain, everything is worse. My attitude, my self-esteem, etc. Thus far I am narcotic free, even though the Dr.s wanted me on them - I refused. I won't apply for disability at this point, because I know some day, down the road, I will not be fully functioning and it will be then I will truly need it. For now, I just hang in there day to day. Sometimes it's all I can do to make it through the day until I lay my head down at night.
Just do the best that you can - every day. Teach yourself to change what you are focusing on. Be thankful for where you are in life and what you have. Surround yourself with loving people, and things that make you happy.
Pain, sickness, sadness, loss, strife, and struggles in life are all inevitable. Learning to cope and finding happiness in spite of them is a choice.
"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it is called the present."
Thanks Beautiful Disaster - good advise. I am grateful for many things. I am always looking for better ways to manage my body. I have a hard time being around people due to the discomfort/embarrassment that intestinal dysfunction can create.
At least talking on line is a bit of a relief.
It is amazing that you keep your attitude so positive in light of your struggles.
Thanks. It's taken nearly 30 years to get to this point. Trust me I have my days and really bad ones....IF I allow myself.
I'm just looking for someone who has "been there". I've had 4 surgeries in the past 8 months the last one being on Oct 10th. I had rotator cuff repair plus impingement syndrome repaired. 3 level decompression of my lumbar and 2 fusions of my hips. I was hit by a tractor trailer....anyway, right now I'm in a wheel chair and my level of weakness is extreme. It's taken me by surprise because I am a good healer. I feel like ive run a marathon if I have to transfer from my chair to the toilet. How do I recover from this extreme weakness quicker? Anyone have any suggestions? Oh yes. I eat mostly protein and almost no processed foods. I cannot eat much more than 700 calories per day but I'm trying to increase that. I want a phenomenally quick recovery but It's not cooperating. Thanks for any input.