You can find the original beginning of this blog by clicking the following link: Adhesions Are Painful
After you check that out, come back here for the continuation of my trials and tribulations with this painful condition..
Laparascopic Surgery on 2/28/2014
Dr. Sitara Kommareddi
(picture taken from her website)
Before I say anything else, some thank you's are in order. The first one goes to my surgeon, Dr. Sitara Kommareddi. She has shown me that surgeons can take the time to care about their patients, not just care for them. From the first time I met her, she has shown me compassion and an interest in finding a solution for my issue. I have never had any surgeon call me on the weekend to see how I'm doing. I could go on and on here because I feel she is a very capable surgeon with a special bed side manner. I will just say thank you! You are more appreciated than you will ever know..especially since I survived the surgery! :) I would also like to thank the gentleman that put in my I.V. for the surgery. I was a tough case, but you actually saved me from some of the pain I've gone through in the past. Thank you for the single poke!! :)
It was the night before my surgery. I was genuinely trying to stay as positive as possible. Sometimes I hide my insecurities by making light of the situation. The first line came to me and I just started writing a little poem that was inspired of course by "Twas The Night Before Christmas" which is also known as "A Visit From St. Nicholas". I just found out in doing a little research about this very famous poem that there is a little controversy over who the original author was. The Huffington Post reported that it has been attributed to two authors over the years, Clemente Clark Moore and Henry Livingston Jr. You can read that article here. Having said that, here is my adaption with a twist. (It's much shorter than the original version...your welcome!)
Twas the night before surgery, and all through my mind
Negative thoughts creeping in, positive thoughts are hard to find.
The fluids have stopped, going into my mouth
Don't need any more reasons, for things to go south!
Supposed to get rest, I just don't know how
I.V. needles and scalpels, please don't nic my bowel!
I'll sleep tomorrow......hopefully then awake
Cupcakes and muffins for the surgeon, I will bake.
May God hold her hands, maybe lighten her mood
Tonight give her rest, and lots of good food.
Now I'll bid adieu, for I have to go to bed
I hope this doesn't get published only after I'm dead.
That was my attempt at a little humor before the big day. :) I hope you enjoyed it.
I didn't get much sleep that night knowing I would be cut open the next day, but I made it to the hospital on time and ready to get it over with. I have a wonderful surgeon that I had complete faith in, but that doesn't keep you from being scared of the possibility of death. However, since I am writing this you know I obviously survived the surgery. I know not everyone wants to see photos, but I think it's important to take a look and see what adhesions do inside of those of us "lucky" enough to have them. I will post the picture at the bottom of this post in case you don't want to see it you can read the post and not be completely grossed out by the picture. :)
There is something that I think needs to be cleared up, though. It's important to understand that everyone that has any kind of surgical procedure is going to get scar tissue, or adhesions. It's a normal way for your body to heal after any type of injury. What's important to understand is that for some of us, the adhesions don't just grow in a normal way. They keep growing and taking over everything in their path. One of my many doctor's said that I am a "super grower". My response was, "well I guess it's good to be good at something!"
I have left many doctor's offices crying after being told that I wasn't really in pain and that everyone grows adhesions. This is a fact that I know and understand. Unfortunately, everyone is different and not everyone has the normal adhesion growth. I've been told by so many people, that they have had adhesions and don't deal with the pain I have. That's because everyone's bodies don't react the same to injury. Normal adhesion growth stops after the injury is scarred. Some of us just keep growing the adhesions, it doesn't stop.
I absolutely understand the fact that adhesions themselves are not painful. Adhesions are painful when they attach and pull your organs or anything in their path in different directions. This is a huge misconception in the medical field. It's extremely frustrating to be told that the pain you know you are feeling is not real. You know your body better than anyone else. Don't ever take that. Get another opinion! You may have to do a little searching, but you can find a doctor that understands adhesions and understands the different levels of adhesion growth. If you are lucky enough to find one of these doctor's, they also understand that those of us who are extreme cases are in extreme pain.
This was the third time adhesions have been removed (lysis of adhesions). I responded that I was a frequent flyer when the pre-op team asked if I had previously been through a surgery at this location. If you've read my previous blog posts you know that in a previous surgery they placed something called Seprafilm inside my abdominal lining. This is used to help slow the growth of the adhesions. You can see some of the adhesions that were removed from my abdomen, yes..that's inside MY abdomen below. That's another warning that there is a picture at the bottom of the blog post that may gross some folks out. That means, don't scroll down and look if you don't want to see it. I'm certainly not trying to make anyone sick! :)
Right now, I am still nursing my surgery wounds and in some pretty significant pain. I will say, though, that the pain that I'm feeling is different than the pain I was feeling before the surgery. So, I am trying to stay positive even though I know that I will have a repeat performance with some new adhesions that will be taking the place of the old ones. It may be a month, or two, or three...who knows. I never know how quickly they will come back. This is why the Seprafilm seems somewhat appealing to consider. The downside is that the Seprafilm does eventually dissolve....for this reason, it seems like what's the point?
The good news is, THIS surgery was successful! Woo-Hooooo!
Please don't forget that I am trying to raise money for the American Cancer Society..if you can donate even $1.00 it will help! You can donate by clicking the link HERE. Thank you so much for your support!
*A PICTURE TAKEN BY THE SURGEON DURING MY SURGERY IS BELOW!!*
After you check that out, come back here for the continuation of my trials and tribulations with this painful condition..
Laparascopic Surgery on 2/28/2014
|
| Dr. Sitara Kommareddi (picture taken from her website) |
Before I say anything else, some thank you's are in order. The first one goes to my surgeon, Dr. Sitara Kommareddi. She has shown me that surgeons can take the time to care about their patients, not just care for them. From the first time I met her, she has shown me compassion and an interest in finding a solution for my issue. I have never had any surgeon call me on the weekend to see how I'm doing. I could go on and on here because I feel she is a very capable surgeon with a special bed side manner. I will just say thank you! You are more appreciated than you will ever know..especially since I survived the surgery! :) I would also like to thank the gentleman that put in my I.V. for the surgery. I was a tough case, but you actually saved me from some of the pain I've gone through in the past. Thank you for the single poke!! :)
Twas the night before surgery, and all through my mind
Negative thoughts creeping in, positive thoughts are hard to find.
The fluids have stopped, going into my mouth
Don't need any more reasons, for things to go south!
Supposed to get rest, I just don't know how
I.V. needles and scalpels, please don't nic my bowel!
I'll sleep tomorrow......hopefully then awake
Cupcakes and muffins for the surgeon, I will bake.
May God hold her hands, maybe lighten her mood
Tonight give her rest, and lots of good food.
Now I'll bid adieu, for I have to go to bed
I hope this doesn't get published only after I'm dead.
That was my attempt at a little humor before the big day. :) I hope you enjoyed it.
I didn't get much sleep that night knowing I would be cut open the next day, but I made it to the hospital on time and ready to get it over with. I have a wonderful surgeon that I had complete faith in, but that doesn't keep you from being scared of the possibility of death. However, since I am writing this you know I obviously survived the surgery. I know not everyone wants to see photos, but I think it's important to take a look and see what adhesions do inside of those of us "lucky" enough to have them. I will post the picture at the bottom of this post in case you don't want to see it you can read the post and not be completely grossed out by the picture. :)
There is something that I think needs to be cleared up, though. It's important to understand that everyone that has any kind of surgical procedure is going to get scar tissue, or adhesions. It's a normal way for your body to heal after any type of injury. What's important to understand is that for some of us, the adhesions don't just grow in a normal way. They keep growing and taking over everything in their path. One of my many doctor's said that I am a "super grower". My response was, "well I guess it's good to be good at something!"
I have left many doctor's offices crying after being told that I wasn't really in pain and that everyone grows adhesions. This is a fact that I know and understand. Unfortunately, everyone is different and not everyone has the normal adhesion growth. I've been told by so many people, that they have had adhesions and don't deal with the pain I have. That's because everyone's bodies don't react the same to injury. Normal adhesion growth stops after the injury is scarred. Some of us just keep growing the adhesions, it doesn't stop.
I absolutely understand the fact that adhesions themselves are not painful. Adhesions are painful when they attach and pull your organs or anything in their path in different directions. This is a huge misconception in the medical field. It's extremely frustrating to be told that the pain you know you are feeling is not real. You know your body better than anyone else. Don't ever take that. Get another opinion! You may have to do a little searching, but you can find a doctor that understands adhesions and understands the different levels of adhesion growth. If you are lucky enough to find one of these doctor's, they also understand that those of us who are extreme cases are in extreme pain.
This was the third time adhesions have been removed (lysis of adhesions). I responded that I was a frequent flyer when the pre-op team asked if I had previously been through a surgery at this location. If you've read my previous blog posts you know that in a previous surgery they placed something called Seprafilm inside my abdominal lining. This is used to help slow the growth of the adhesions. You can see some of the adhesions that were removed from my abdomen, yes..that's inside MY abdomen below. That's another warning that there is a picture at the bottom of the blog post that may gross some folks out. That means, don't scroll down and look if you don't want to see it. I'm certainly not trying to make anyone sick! :)
Right now, I am still nursing my surgery wounds and in some pretty significant pain. I will say, though, that the pain that I'm feeling is different than the pain I was feeling before the surgery. So, I am trying to stay positive even though I know that I will have a repeat performance with some new adhesions that will be taking the place of the old ones. It may be a month, or two, or three...who knows. I never know how quickly they will come back. This is why the Seprafilm seems somewhat appealing to consider. The downside is that the Seprafilm does eventually dissolve....for this reason, it seems like what's the point?
The good news is, THIS surgery was successful! Woo-Hooooo!
Please don't forget that I am trying to raise money for the American Cancer Society..if you can donate even $1.00 it will help! You can donate by clicking the link HERE. Thank you so much for your support!
Please don't forget that I am trying to raise money for the American Cancer Society..if you can donate even $1.00 it will help! You can donate by clicking the link HERE. Thank you so much for your support!
*A PICTURE TAKEN BY THE SURGEON DURING MY SURGERY IS BELOW!!*
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