I am Jen. Hi. I had a big baby which caused a 3rd degree tear. This was repaired in theatre 2 hours later, or so I thought. I had 6 months of healing and occasional incontinence, then surgeons got involved and sent me for tests, and 12 months later I was told I needed a major repair of the sphincter and a rectocele. 6 months later, an operation appointment came through for December 16, 2010. I met the surgeon on the morning of the operation, and he was arrogant and cocky; I just thought he better know what he is doing. All repairs were done, and I woke up in complete and unbelievable pain, crying as no pain relief worked. I couldn't feel my bladder, it hurt too much to move, and I had a catheter inserted and instantly filled the large bag. The pain relief wasn't working, and I felt awful asking for pain relief and was refused a lot of the time as I had as much as the doctor had prescribed. I ended up crying pretty much for 3 days with the occasional top-up of morphine. 6 days after the operation, I went home and was told to eat, poo, and sleep normally and shower twice a day to keep the area clean, which I did. I had a very messy few days as I leaked continuously over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. I had enough, then started to feel no pain and thought I was on the road to recovery. Yay... not!!!!!!!!!!!!
Woke up 3 days after Boxing Day and felt awful, ended up back in A&E with a roaring infection.
The surgeons took me back to theatre and said the wound had broken down and was too soft to repair, so I would need a colostomy to give the wounds on my bottom time to heal.
I cried when the nurse came to mark my belly and said I didn't want it, but she said it would be best for wound healing.
I ended up in more pain and had to deal with a bag, no fair.
The colostomy has turned out to be more trouble than the incontinence itself, and I wish I hadn't gone for the operation now.
I have had to change the bag at least twice a day for the last 6 weeks due to major leaks, which have meant 2 new mattresses as covers didn't work. Then I found a convex bag with a belt, and after lots of skin soreness and a sunken stoma, I have just had a whole 24 hours without changing as I am draining with no leaks.
I can't believe how much of a different person I am without having to worry about leaking from my seals and having to change less often. Sorry, I do rant on a bit. Message me if you want to chat or inbox xx
Hi Jen - I have just read your blog again... and know you have been to see your surgeon today. If it is a colorectal surgeon you are seeing, please, please consider seeing my surgeon in London - I had a very similar problem and it has taken me 12 years to get it sorted... please do not end up in the same mess as I have, I wouldn't wish it on anyone - I am now really quite disabled... my new surgeon literally sorted it out in 45 minutes after 9 previous infected repairs. She has had LOADS of experience dealing with the same in Africa where women are thrown out of the family after bad births like yours... have a look at the website below and let me know if you want her name.
Rach xx
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