Fistula Options: Contact Details neede... - Living with a Stoma

Living with a Stoma

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Fistula Options: Contact Details needed for introduction to Surgeon/Team for potential ‘Second Opinion’

KevinNeedsHelp profile image
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Hi. Help needed. Acting as secretary for best mate.

Name Kevin. Age now: 55. Married father of two. Then: working full-time & living a full life.

Problem: Failed hernia op > left with fistula. Remaining bowel is reconnected, but majority of faeces is passed through Fistula. Fistula and surrounding painful tissue damage, causing misery.

Additional medical challenges: Psoriasis (injected Methotrexate), Psoriatic arthritis, Osteoarthritis, multiple hernias, massively reduced mobility & obesity (greatly reduced).

2006: Hernia diagnosis > Routine mesh operation at ‘Western General Hospital’.

3 days later: Wound burst, infected & pussy > Hospital acquired MRSA diagnosed > Back to theatre to clean & close again, which failed. Wound was not healing due to unresolved MRSA.

Returned to theatre to remove abdominal mesh (presumed mesh sheltering MRSA). Section of damaged bowel removed, but mesh left in because of tissue adhesion.

Partial Stoma carried out, followed, later, by attempted reversal & close which failed. During this procedure, a blood vessel was nicked and Kev woke up soaking in blood, in his bed on-ward. Recovered in ITU. Required transfusions.

2008: Referred to ‘Royal Infirmary Edinburgh’ to specialist hernia surgeon. He was very reluctant to operate, but did eventually take Kev to theatre for mesh removal & removal of the infected section of bowel.

2009: Transferred to Borders General Hospital upon the passing of his father.

Wound opened again and then-surgeon accused Kev of self-harming and opening the wound Himself.

2018: Remaining bowel is reconnected but majority of faeces is passed through Fistula. Current surgeon has kept hope dangling out in front of us for 4 years. Hoops to jump through have been jumped (mental health), and he recently admitted when pressed, operating again will Kill Kev. There is nothing left to try or discuss.

What was applied as a remedy is now a painful all-day, life-altering burden. This man is loved and very much needed by many people. We are desperately hoping for a second opinion or the name of a medical professional/team that could provide additional support and/or intervention. Kev lives in the Scottish Borders.

Any help or suggestions would be so welcome. I can easily ask and add any extra detail required (whilst protecting his data privacy).

Thank you for taking the time to look at this post. Wishing health, happiness, love & peace to all. R

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