Well hello ladies,
just been catching up - a bag of mixed emotions, the newbies all the fear and questions we all had and the updates from those that went though it all at a similar time to myself. I've wiped the tears away now.... quite an emotional catch up.
I actually did place a couple of messages (3) and was quite frustrated as I realised they had not appeared, perhaps they were too long or big brother felt they would frighten you - I can only hope this will be entered.
Firstly the girls that have not heard from me before dont let this put you off, My story is just one that hilights a condition that should not be ignored and hopefully will improve reactions at hospitals when presented with complications as I was. I was just unfortunate, to have an allergy and a hospital ward that could not use basic common sense.
I had rectocele repair, but had a terrible infection caused by an allergic reaction to the sutures. I didnt realise at the time though as I didnt dare look down there straight away. I was scrubbing my legs and tummy in the middle of the night with exfoliating sponges - the itching was hell. I wanted to do the same inside but of course couldnt. I knew there was something wrong badly and I then got a terrible discharge, the smell so foul. I kept phoning the ward up but they would not give me the consultants details to contact her.
I was too ill to go to the gp but spoke on the phone and got some anti biotics collected. When I did get the mirror down there what a fright! I had bi infected swellings where the sutures were, I had been complaining about sitting on barbed wire which is quite a normal sensation at first but mine felt they were going to explode and when I gave one area a gently squeeze - it did explode!!! what a mess but eased the pressure immensly.
I was in the shower 6 times a day trying to keep the area clean, and had been sensible. I could see big holes and clearly the wound had not healed. I just kept clenched as much as a could and of course sitting on the loo seat normally was impossible - I kind of lay sideways.... us women what we go through ehhh!
I guess I retreated, I had little support at home, gave up asking my daughters to help - and knew I had an appointment at 7 weeks with the consultant. It was clear the GPs anti biotics had helped a little but the infection was still there.
I called the ward again, told them if they didnt give me her contact numbers I would be writing to the hospital! - I was given an appointment within days!
The consultant was outraged with what I had gone through and shocked at the ''raging infection'' I had. Agreed it was the sutures, did a swab and more anti biotics. She said the GP's were not the right type. She was going to ''have words'' with the ward, and gave me her private contact details. I was due back the following week. 5 days later the ''ward'' phoned me and said we have your swab results back and ''you have an infection! I basically said thanks to you it was so much worse - the nurse said ''you need antibiotics'' I had already been given some by the consultant, out of interested I asked which ones do I need? - and the nurse told me the ones I had were not the right ones. Anyway, I was seeing the consultant in two days so would discuss with her.
The area had healed and the sutures were gone, still very sore though. The consultant looked at the notes and actually said I had the right anti biotics? but I knew otherwise...ummmm me thinks!.. although had finished the course just and symptoms had improved. On examination although painful she seemed satisfied, I dressed and sat before her and asked when would the BM problems I had improve. She seemed surprised, as that was the reason I had gone in the first place - and suggested there could be an issue with the bowel now. I have read all your stories and was expecting improvements at the same pace as yours but no -
I am due to go back in a couple of weeks.
However, the day after seeing the consultant I have been struck down by the worst cold I have ever had, it has gone through me... throat, head, ears, chest - now two weeks on and this has been actually worst than the op itself. I have a horrible chest infection, but will not get any more anti biotics. I had three lots one after another, none were the right ones, but clearly have messed my immune system up badly. I guess I am feeling sorry for myself, but feel I have gone through all this for nothing apart from a lesson in allergic reaction of the sutures. I feel I have finally healed all bumpy, quite a mess, and will never want to let anyone close to me again. I had a terrible delivery years ago and that caused my problem but at least I healed well.
All you new ladies, again dont be put off, this was exceptional and hopefully a lesson for the consultant. I am full of cold feel awful and I guess thinking I may have to face something similar all over again, or correcting this one. Trouble is I just cannot bare to explore anything now as it is not me!
Hugs to everyone and thrilled so much good news here.
XXX