Adhesion surgery......again

It's been awhile since I last posted, right before I WAS to have surgery for adhesion repair using the "intergel" barrier. Well.....I actually did all the pre-admit stuff, and was in the surgery holding room (sedated, but not "out" yet) when the GS came in to talk to my DH and I. Seems she didnt have the intergel available for her use and wanted to know if I wanted the surgery anyway.... DUH! NOOOOOOO!!!!! I had seen her specifically because the intergel was available and I felt that finally I might get some relief from all this pain. I couldnt believe she would even THINK that I might want to go thru with the surgery. AND....she knew 5 days earlier that the gel wouldnt be available. Talk about ....good thing I was sedated! *punch*

As I was getting dressed and ready to go home, a nurse suggested that I speak to the patient advocate at the hospital to file a complaint. (I didnt think of that....I was too busy being dazed, confused and completely stunned by the whole thing). Anyway, the pat. advocate came to the room and was great. I didnt have to file papers or anything, only tell him what happened. He gave me his card and said if i received any kind of bill whatsoever from this whole thing to call him asap. (finally! I felt like even though I had been floored by something bad, at least I had someone there to "fight for me!)

Anyway, wanted to let ya know. Im rescheduled for surgery on May 6th. My GS along with another assisting surgeon and my gyn will be present. 3 surgeons? Not that Im complaining. I want things to be OVER! and as many people as it takes to get the job done......thats fine with me!!! It seems the gyn must be present in order to put the intergel inside me. It is no longer approved for general surgery use in NC only for gynecological use. ....something to do with the increased risk of infection. (I had read about this (^ infection) but it seemed such a small risk compared to the advantages the gel might hold) Anyone heard anything about this????

Keep your fingers crossed for me!!! And maybe your toes? I'm kinda nervous about this one. Ever felt that maybe too much info could be a bad thing sometimes?

's
Karen

Karen,

How awful for you to have to go through all of that and then not have the surgery. I can only try to imagine how horrible that was for you.

I hope that your next surgery date goes off without a hitch. I will keep my fingers (and toes ) crossed for you.

I'm sorry that you had to go through all of the anxiety of prepping for surgery for this...but how wonderful that the patient advocate was there to point you in the right direction! I'm very pleasantly surprised!

Keeping mine crossed for ya too, and keep us posted!

Stacey

Karen, how awful to get that close and not get into the OR, that's the hardest part for me ....the lying there waiting to go in

Good for you for sticking to your guns though and waiting for the Intercede....interesting about the "having to have the gyn there to put the gel in" my gen. surgeon has asked one of my gyn's to be present for my adhesion removal and I couldn't figure out why since they didn't care if I was in pain anymore or not, this must be why, also they have to order it, he can't.......all very strange.

well best of luck on May 6th, I hope it all goes smoothly for you this time!!

((((Karen)))) I am very sorry to hear of the problems you had to endure on your last trip to the castle....thank God there was help there at the hosptial. I hope and pray that this surgery will take away all of your pain.....Sending you many 'S

{{KarenDawn}},
How frustrating to go thru all that and then find out the gel wasnt available Good for you tho for not going thru with it and talking to a patient advocate My thoughts and prayers wll be with you on the 6th, please let us know how your doing....

s to yall.....you're the best!

I have a new dilemma though. My scheduled surgery includes the intergel (which I'm really hopeful will work) and lysis (or cutting) of the adhesions. I've had the cutting of the adhesions twice previously and only because of my excrutiating pain am I even considering surgery. BUT now Ive learned that the adhesions should be removed rather than cut??? My GS had told me before that it was virtually impossible to remove them. Im really really reconsidering this whole thing. I mean, I want to be out of pain.........BUT I know that if it isnt done right, it can get worse.......and I cant even imagine what worse could be!

I know many of you have had adhesion surgery. Im so confused right now. I just want to be out of this pain BUT I dont want to let that pain be the reason that I have surgery that isnt done in the BEST possible way to keep the adhesions from coming back.

Ive decided to call the doc tomorrow and discuss all this with her. I have notes and even the precise method used to "remove" the adhesions all ready to fax her. Why oh why cant all doctors be on the "same page"? It would really help all us who are actually suffering from this pain if they were!

Thanks for listening!
Karen

Hi Karen,

I'm sorry that you had to go through that. It is stressful enough just arriving at the hospital and awaiting surgery.

I also have severe adhesions, and I too am confused. I don't know if I should go for the surgery or not. You sound like you have done your homework, and know what questions to ask your gyne. You have to decide what is best for you. If you find out anything new about adhesions, or adhesion barriers, I would appreciate if you could share your info.

You take good care of yourself, and let us know how you are doing.

Lots of 's!!

Barbara

((((Barbara))))))))

Unfortunately, so many of us are faced with the problems of adhesions after any type pelvic surgery. The biggest problem we have though, is how to deal with them. I think its really a personal decision because so many times they can return. (as Im sure you already know) Originally, and as of only a few months ago, I had said "no way Im goin thru surgery again only to have them come back" However, the pain is unbearable most of the time. I havent looked at surgery as my only option. Ive tried pain mgmt. (still am actually)and I must say I cant imagine day to day life without the help of my pain meds. Ive also tried physical therapy for chronic pelvic pain and adhesions. This, I found was helpful occasionally, but only when the pain was moderate.

With the availability in my area of the intergel barrier, I again considered surgery. It sounds really hopeful. However, as I said previously, I am now reconsidering the whole thing (for the time being anyway). I want to have the BEST possible surgery available, NOT the best my current Surgeon can do. So, if that means waiting and looking for someone who can do it "right" then thats what I'll do. (I'm waiting now on a call from my GS to discuss the "removal" of rather than just the "cutting" of the adhesions)

Ive gotten a lot of my information here from ladies who have gone thru or are going thru similar situations. Adrite has a current informational thread in "the road less traveled" about adhesions, endo etc.... you may find it helpful, I know I have. I also find a lot of info from the Endometriosis Assoc. and the International Pelvic Pain Society. I'll list those for you.

Hope it helps.......informing and educating is the most important thing we can do to take control of our treatment.

www.drcook.com/adca15.html (adhesion treatment info I received from reading adrite's thread....thanks!)
www.pelvicpain.org (Int. Pelvic Pain Soc.)
www.pelvicpain.com
www.endometriosisassn.org (endo assoc.)
www.adhesions.org (Int'l Adhesion Society)
www.adhesions.com (great info on preventing adhesions and barriers available)

Email me anytime! (NCHickChick@aol.com)
s
Karen