A little bit of a rant tonight!

[Qanngoth]

Hello, I hope that everyone here is ok and muddling on the best they can!

My last 10 days has been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster.

I have stage 4 endometriosis which has infiltrated my bowel and my bowels, uterus,ovaries and bladder are fused. I also have Adenomyosis. I was diagnosed after my laparoscopy 2 years ago and referred to a specialist center. Since then I have had various scans and further investigation to see how affected my bowels are. At the end of last month I was consented for Endo excision, bowl shave and full hysterectomy. I've been on the waiting list 18 months..

10 days ago I began feeling unwell, pain across my back, in my right side and lower abdomen. The same day I had a phone call with a surgery date. I presumed the pain was my usual flare up, 2 weeks after my prostab injection, but it didn't budge. By the following Tuesday the pain was worse and I started vomiting, I was sent home from work, called the GP who advised A&E.

I got to A&E was triaged after an hour and given pain killers. I explained my history and mentioned my upcoming surgery. After 13 hours I was seen, and sent home with cocodamol and anti sickness tablets. Doctor said it was most likely a UTI and nothing needing surgical intervention, but to go back to my GP.

I went back to my GP, the receptionist referred me to the local pharmacy, as they would be able to provide antibiotics for UTI. So off I tootled, in agony, shivering and feeling really poorly, to the pharmacy. The pharmacist was fuming that I'd been sent to him and referred me back to the GP as I would need much stronger antibiotics and he was concerned about the development of sepsis.

I finally saw a doctor 6 hours later who told me he was prescribing me 10 days of antibiotics, but he only gave me 5 days worth on the script! So I have a kidney infection and I'm hoping I can clear it before my pre op assessment in just over a week's time.

The last few days has been quite stressful being passed from pillar to post and all the doctors I have come across have little to know understanding of how endometriosis is a whole body condition. Even with all the press focus this week I feel.its such an uphill struggle!

Sorry to rant, I just needed to get it off my chest.

[East_end]

Its good to rant, that’s what we are here for, because of the lack of empathy. Sorry to hear about your experiences from the last 10 days. I wish appointments were faster and there was better dedicated help. I hope all is well by the time of your surgery. X

[Qanngoth in reply to East_end]

Thank you, it's very frustrating isn't it! I'm feeling much better today, so the antibiotics are definitely starting to work! Crossing everything I'm clear for my surgery! Xx

[Bakewey]

I could scream for you and all of us that have been treated ina similar manner!

Try to rest up and get better. Good luck with the surgery 🍀

[Qanngoth in reply to Bakewey]

Thank you so much! We all need better treatment and understanding! There are a few doctors and nurses that are brilliant and understanding but some just have no idea!

[Sarken0]

I really feel for you and hope you start to feel better soon! Can I ask, have they talked about a possible stoma after your op? Last Monday I was told that my uterus is stuck to my rectum so my hysterectomy would need a bowel surgeon in case they injure my bowel. She said there’s a risk of a stoma bag and now I’m terrified of surgery! Do you risk any of this?

[Eileenb131 in reply to Sarken0]

I’m having a bowel shave with my hysterectomy and excision surgery following on from my MRI scan. Saw the bowel surgeon last week he said there would be 5% chance of stoma bag and if they did need to do this it would be temporary.

I hope you’re feeling better soon Qanngoth and you get your much need surgery. Sending love.x

[Qanngoth in reply to Sarken0]

I have to have the bowel surgeon present during my surgery, my endo has infiltrated my bowel. I saw the bowel surgeon in September and he reassured me that the chances of me needing a stoma are slim, but they can never rule it out fully. If my bowel integrity is at risk during the op they won't complete the hysterectomy.

I am feeling much better and recovering from the kidney infection. Thank you!