HM, I have considered Conway. I actually did a phone consult with him back almost a year ago, but didn't feel like he was the right surgeon for me because he was only doing the TIR at the time. I need to be educated a little more on his TG technique though. Does he sever the ST ligament? That's my issue. I know there is debate about whether the ST ligament is necessary for pelvic stability, but for me with known SI stability issues, I don't feel comfortable severing the ligament without repairing it.HerMajesty wrote:Hi Faith,
have you considered Dr. Conway? Personally If I needed decompression surgery I would probably go to him because of the lack of waiting time. Karyn did so well with him, I really do think the new surgical technique he is using makes him a viable option. I assume you waited several months to see Dr. Hibner and now a year to surgery - that just isn't right
Anyway I'm sorry about your job and that you are not feeling well. I quit working too and now that I am not so overwhelmed, I am teaching Sunday school to the tweens and teens, and am helping a friend start a new neighborhood ladies' Bible study - There is a mission field right here in the USA. I am finding that no matter how bad I feel before and after, when I am actually out there teaching the Word I forget all about the PN. I can also speak articulately when teaching although if I try to just have a regular conversation before or after, I can barely string a sentence together because of the meds. It's really called my attention to how God can equip us to do His work even when it is definitely beyond our own strength. I hope the decision not to work leaves you with lots of time to lounge around in your PJ's and enjoy your daughter, but also gives you some freedom to do the Lord's work.
Thanks for your encouragement HM. I am really excited about not working. Am really enjoying blogging and hoping to do some more writing in the future. I am also hoping to start a ministry for those with chronic illness in my church. I believe the LORD uses all things, even PN, for good!
[quote="Celeste] Hang in there, Faith. You've come up against an unfortunate reality about having surgery with Dr. Hibner--it can take a commitment of years to get your treatment completed, especially if you require bilateral surgery since he only does one side at a time. That's a long time to wait. There's also a risk for some that they might lose their insurance before they can complete treatment. I learned that ob-gyn's are now coming out with guidelines to give to newly pregnant patients about what to expect if they lose their insurance due to unforeseen reasons during a pregnancy--it's become that common in these economic times that now patients are being warned up front to learn their options.
I hope you will look at all of your options and that the right path for you will be clear.[/quote]
Good point Celeste. I do think Hibner's wait time is ridiculous, but being in the medical field I can understand it as well. I hope to get the final word back from Hibner in the next week as to what he wants me to do from here. I am thinking through a lot of options right now. All I know is that botox was NOT for me. A lot of the symptoms that seemed to be controlled some are raging back...constant burning vulva, rectum, inability to sit at all hardly. I guess it was worth a try though because if it had helped a lot I would be extremely grateful.
I'm very pleased with my experience with Dr. Conway. I do believe he's a very talented surgeon. I don't regret having the bilateral surgery for one single second. My only regret is that I didn't have it sooner, instead of wasting so much time, money and additional pain trying to avoid the one and only thing that would give me a chance.
I hope having this time allows you to cut your pain level down a notch and catch your breath!
