>----- Original Message -----
From: Helen Dynda <olddad66@runestone.net>
To: Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS <adhesions@mail.medispecialty.com>
Sent: Saturday, March 10, 2001 8:28 AM
Subject: PLEASE HELP...if you are experiencing a similar situation...
> Today I received the following letter. If you are experiencing a similar
> situation, do you have any suggestions that might help her?
>
> ~ ~ ~ ~
>
> "I had several attacks of diverticulitis and was hospitalized. I was told
I
> needed surgery or I could end up in the emergency room with peritonitis,
> which could be life-threatening. I had surgery in June, 2000 and had 12
> inches of colon removed. After a hospital stay of 6 days, I went home.
>
> "I started having problems with pain and elimination right away. The
> surgeon told me to use stool softeners. They do not help me. I know I
have
> a partial obstruction from scarring; my stools are pencil thin.
>
> "The surgeon told me he can go back in and sew the intestines back
together
> leaving a larger opening to allow for any subsequent scarring.
> This scares me. What if I end up in worse shape?
>
> "The GI doctor told my husband he could do a colonoscopy on me and use a
> device on the scope which would "stretch" my colon in the restricted area.
> This also scares me. Have you ever heard of stretching the colon?
>
> "Meanwhile, I work full time and suffer with pain, trying to get my bowels
> to function so I can keep going. Any thoughts you may have would be
> appreciated."
>