Hysterectomy Gone Bad - Need a Friend

ShellyinSC · 07-10-2008, 12:37 AM

Hysterectomy Gone Bad - Need a Friend

Hi my name is Shelly and I am new to the board. I apologize that I do not know all the acronyms but I really need and ear to bend. I am sorry this is long but I had a D&C on May 23rd and found out I had endometriosis. On June 10th I had a laproscopic hysterectomy and was discharged on the June 11th. On June 13th I was back in the ER and had to have emergency surgery on my colon. Apparently my OBGYN cut my colon performing the surgery and even received lab reports of this the day of my discharge on the 11th of June but failed to contact me.

His exact words on the 13th was "he was going to call me but conferred with two colleagues"! In summary I almost died. I had a BP of 70/40 and was coding when I reached the ER, became septic and spent the next 12 days in the hospital recoverying.

I just underwent surgery on July 7th for my gallbladder removal. According to the surgeon that repaired my OBGYN mistake the trauma of the colon repair and bile released in my body triggered the Gallbladder problem.

So, I will not go back to my OBGYN, I have six different incision points trying to heal, I can't move and I have began crying uncontrollably and do not know why. I know I am in pain but do not know if it is due to hormones from the hysterectomy or depression because I feel like I have been butchered.

I am hurt, angry and do not know where to turn for help or relief.

Any words of support would be appreciated.

wantnbbs · 07-10-2008, 01:15 AM

Oh my. I am so sorry, may God bless you. You are in my prayers.
I am sorry. You have come to the right place there is alot of caring people here. I would get a lawyer when you are healed, JMO.
Are you on any Hormone replacement thereapy for your Hyst???
good luck cyster......

AmyElnora · 07-10-2008, 01:18 AM

Oh my word, I don't even know what to say Shelly. I have had to endure a fair share of unnecessary pain and hospitalization for doctors mistakes as well, but I don't think any of it comes close to what you had to go through.

I was in terrible pain and went to the after hours clinic at my local doctors office. I was unable to pee in a cup, so they said there was nothing they could do and sent me home. When I arrived at my house and finally was able to pee a little bit, the bright red color of blood in the toilet told me obviously something serious was going on, so we went to the ER. I had two kidney stones, one still in the kidney and one stuck in the ureter (tube connecting kidney to bladder). The stupid urologist said the one stuck would eventually pass, but I had to have a stent in place to allow the kidney to drain while the stone slowly made its way out. Once I was finally admitted to the hospital, they put me under general anesthesia and placed the stent. Hours later, when I was still in a ton of pain, and not producing any urine, they went back in and found that the stent was either placed wrong, or too short, and had to be redone. The doctor said the stone still in the kidney was too big to pass, and would need to be blasted by a laser to break it into smaller pieces to make it easier to pass. Using the laser was apparently not a common thing for this area, because I had to go home with the stent in place, while popping vicodin every couple hours because of the pain. I was at home popping pills and on bed rest for 2-3 weeks waiting for the apt to blast the stone. When the time finally came, and the laser blast was to get underway, they removed the stent and couldn't find the stone. Thats right, it wasn't too big, it passed, probably before I even left the stinkin hospital, and I suffered all those weeks for NOTHING. After the stent was removed and I was allowed to go home, I did and laid on the couch recovering. I was still in a TON of pain, and it didn't make any sense why. The stones were gone, and the stent removed...where was the pain coming from? Back to the ER I go, and low and behold, the dumb a** doctor didn't take the stent out carefully, he probably yanked it out, and I was now bleeding internally, and there was a pool of blood forming behind my kidney, thus the pain.

Again Shelly, I am sooo sorry you are going through all of this.

tina_d · 07-10-2008, 01:20 AM

Hi Shelly,

I had my hyst in March. I know that it isn't an easy recovery, and can't even imagine what you are going thru with the other surgeries.

The depression is probably a mixture of both. You didn't say whether or not you were able to keep your ovaries. Even if you did, it may be some time before they wake up from the shock. But you should let your dr know how you are feeling.

If you haven't found it yet, there is a great site out there for hysterectomy support. www.hystersisters.com I am also a member there.

soulfulqween · 07-10-2008, 01:23 AM

Oh My!

I'm so sorry that happened to you...that SO MUCH happened
all at one time...

Rest rest rest...sleep as much as you can and take vitamins if you can.
Do you have pain meds?

I feel awful for what you've been through these last weeks.

And maybe suing that surgeon?

wannabmomma · 07-10-2008, 01:30 AM

Hmmm, I posted but it's not showing up!
Anyway--I'm so sorry you're going thru this.
I can't fathom how the OB/GYN didn't realize he nicked the colon.
I'm sure your emotions are all over the place right now. Just relax & rest & I hope you get to feeling "normal" soon.
BTW-thought about reporting/sueing that dr? I mean, the other medical bills should atleast be covered courtesy of him. You wouldn't have had to go thru those if it wasn't for him....
Many prayers for you!

ShellyinSC · 07-10-2008, 01:56 AM

Thank you for the post replies and as warped as it sounds I feel at least validated that my emotions are off the wall.

From what I understand I have one of my ovaries left but it has a large cyst on it. I am not on any hormone replacement yet because I currently do not have a OBGYN (I won't go back to the butcher). So I am trying to find and OBGYN for follow up now on my hysterectomy surgery. I did find out that I have endometriosis attached to my colon lining so that problem is not eliminated yet. As for medications the only thing I am currently taking is Percodan for pain and a stool softner.

So in a nutshell I don't know if I can't stop crying from the pain, the mounting hospital bills totalling $250,000 not including the last surgery last Monday, the fact I am out of work and STD is only 60% of my income, I have no OBGYN to confer with at the moment, I have six different incision points trying to heal and I actually need help just trying to sit up or move because my surgeon didn't want to use the same incision in my last surgery (the last one was placed above my belly button right in the core section of your abdomin that I feel pain even raising my arm), or because I spoke with and old family friend who is a residing judge and he told me that this is the worst case of gross negligence he has ever seen in a medical case. The mere fact the doctor had the pathologist notify him that he cut my colon but he did not call me and let me know I sat at home for two days with bile poison running into my body and went into septic shock and was coding in the ER.

I am trying to have a kind forgiving heart but his coming to my room daily after removing himself from my case and acknowledging his mistakes aren't making me feel any better. I don't understand why he chose to gamble with my life and hope it would go away by healing itself and he didn't at least call me and say watch for these symptoms and if you experience anything come in asap.

I am 45 years old but physically fit, I wouldn't wear a bikini now days because of my age and gravity LOL and don't consider myself as vain but the first time in 24 years with my husband I cried when I saw my body for the first time and told my husband not to look at me!! Of course my husband said all the right things and said you are alive and still beautiful to me but I feel like I have been butchered.

I don't know if I need HRT, a mental counselor, a pastor, a lawyer, a antidepressant or all of the above.

Jess1216 · 07-10-2008, 02:09 AM

Oh my. Sweetie I am SO SORRY you're going through all of this!

This is just my opinion....but I would SERIOUSLY consider suing your doctor. I'm not one of those people that thinks people should sue over this and that...what happened to you and the series of events that happened as a result are awful and in NO WAY your fault. It's very big of you to try and have a kind heart--really! But I'd still sue. ESPECIALLY if you're going to be held responsible for the medical bills.

soulfulqween · 07-10-2008, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShellyinSC

I don't know if I need HRT, a mental counselor, a pastor, a lawyer, a antidepressant or all of the above.

Look into them all...it'll be a long road but you will be alright.
You'll have to find what is going to be the best for you, and you will.

MindyKaye2 · 07-10-2008, 03:14 AM

Oh WOW! :-O I am so sorry Sweetie! I will certainly be praying for you! That is horrible.

I hope you can get the help you need to get back to "normal". I am very sad this happened to you! Please keep us posted. ((((HUGS)))) ~Mindy

tina_d · 07-10-2008, 11:13 AM

I agree with your judge friend. The surgery to remove endo can be a tricky one, and the nips are common. But you should've been warned of signs of septic, especially since labs were showing you had been nipped. I would be talking to a lawyer because of the gyn's negligence.

The really hard part of this is trying to find a replacement gyn during your recovery. A lot of them just don't like to play clean up because it is very common for hyst patients to get overly emotional and blame every little problem on the gyn, and keep dr swapping. And each dr's treatment during recovery is different. Even though your case is a lot different.

You should go to your gp and ask if he/she will do your recovery treatment. If not, ask for a referal to a new gyn. Also have gp run a check on your hormone levels to make sure your remaining ovary is working, and if hrt is necessary right now.

After my hyst, something changed inside, and the result was a lot of anxiety. I am now currently taking an anti-anxiety med for it, and have been for two weeks post op.

ShellyinSC · 07-11-2008, 09:48 AM

Thank you so much for all your words of encouragement and advice, they have helped me tremendously.

I have taken some steps towards progress (I believe anyway). My sister-in-law has worked for a hospital for about 20 years and she called an OBGYN she highly recommends and told him my story and he was able to get me in yesterday.

The doctor was extremely kind and supportive. He told me that I have every right to be crying and feeling all the emotions that I have but he wants to narrow it down to find out if it is due to the hysterectomy putting me directly into menopause, stress from all of the surgeries I have had to endure, a hormone inbalance, etc.

He had blood work drawn for a complete hormone panel test to find out if I am getting to much or not enough estrogen, progesterone, etc. In the mean time he prescribed Xanax for my nerves and Zoloft for depression. I took the Xanax but not the Zoloft; I would like to wait until I find out what the hormone panel says before I begin on any type of antidepressant. The Xanax appears to be working because I am not crying anymore but I did sleep 10 hours straight!!

Last and not least I completed a request for all my medical records to be released from my former OBGYN and called my friend who is a presiding judge in SC. He arranged and appointment for me this afternoon with an attorney he recommends to assist me with the negligence of my former OBGYN and hopefully get some relief from these medical bills, etc. Once I am feeling a little better I am also going to contact the state medical board as well.

Again, thank you for taking the time to respond and all the words of encouragement and empathy.

Shelly

Gamer_Girl · 07-11-2008, 03:03 PM

Wow...

I really am not sure what to say other then I'll keep you in my prayers. That's just insane.

My mom had her hysterectomy when I was 19, and she's my only family. They didn't do something right and she was in horrible horrible pain. You could hear her crying out in the lobby when she woke up 2 rooms away. It was so scary since nobody knew what was wrong. x.x

Good luck with your journey, and heal quickly!

lyssiana · 07-17-2008, 03:55 AM

My mom had her hysterectomy last year (she was 49). The doctor forgot to close something and she was bleeding internally, so two days later she had to go back in. She spent from just before Halloween until just before Thanksgiving that year in the hospital, and she was in so much pain.

I am so sorry that you are going though this. I hope you sue the pants off of him! Please let us know!