The level of professionalism and dedication to patient care…read more
I was terrified to take this step and visit the Urogynecology Department. I had hoped for the last few years that the exercises and lifestyle that I lived would manage my problem. It did not. I am 46 years old and the mother of four children. I teach preschool and spend my days with little people who are very active. Each time they tried to engage me in activities where I had to dance, or jump or run, I would only participate minimally as I was afraid I would leak urine. This was not an unfounded fear. I had been wearing pads continuously for the last year. It was an uncomfortable, humiliating and life changing way to live. I had many experiences where I had to run, or jump or even when I would trip, cough, stumble, sneeze or laugh hard I would leak significantly. I remember more than one occasion where I would sit paralyzed out in public unable to get up because I knew that a wet spot on my pants would be obvious. I have had the humiliating experience of once leaving a large wet circle on a friends patio chair cushion. I knew that this could not continue. I experienced rashes from wet clothing, and the rubbing of a pad continuously. I no longer ran on my exercise equipment, I no longer did yoga for fear that my secret would be discovered. With shame I would throw the pads in my cart and hope that no one I knew would discover my purchases. I even discarded the outer wrapper of the bladder control pads so no one in my house would know that I had this problem. I began wearing several layers of clothing in case of wetting myself, I would have a better chance of not being discovered. All this while wearing pads to begin with! It was so bad that I could soak a pad and go through my clothing in one bad cough or miss of a step. I was ashamed, I told no one. It was a terrible secret to bear. I talked to my family doctor and we tried the medications that dried you up. That was horrible. Even my eyes dried out. It did not solve my problem of leaking. Stress of any kind on my bladder caused full leaking. Going to the appointment was scary. The idea of talking about my problem and going through the testing required seemed out of the question. I could not imagine going in front of someone for the testing. I was met by a wonderful, warm and friendly woman who walked me through all of the steps and it was embarrassing but she quickly eased my fear and was completely professional, respectful and the right amount of kind to get me through the testing. Believe me, I am a private person, but I found myself so grateful to have help and not be alone and I could tell that the people here at the University of Colorado cared, knew what they were doing and could help. Once I met with Dr. Davis, I knew I was in the right hands. She drew a diagram for me explaining what needed to be done. I would have a hysterectomy, with rectocele and cystocele repair, with bladder lift and tension free tape. I was scared with all of the negative information out there and terrible stories about bladder slings and their erosion into the body requiring multiple repairs. Dr. Davis was very personable, very thorough in explaining the process to me and I knew that she knew what she was doing and could help me. I went into my surgery expecting that I would come out with all of the holes in my abdomen from laproscopic surgery. I was shocked that there were none. I had a vaginal hysterectomy and the only visible incisions were two places holding the tension free tape through my pubic area.Each follow up visit was very emotional for me and I had a few setbacks in my recovery. When Dr. Davis tells you to do nothing, lift nothing and relax, she means business. Overdoing it led me back to her office several times, terrified that I had hurt myself during my recovery. Each time I visited her office, I was overcome with emotion and sheer gratefulness to Dr. Davis and her staff. It has been nearly 3 months now and I feel great with only some minor aches still oc
