My name is Joanne Eslick and I have been an active participant for some time now, but still remember my tumble of high emotion when I found this site. I couldn't believe that I was reading about so many people who were suffering almost the same way I was!
I have found this board a place of comfort, support and friendship, it is educational and a great place to vent when we are felling angry, frustrated or lost.
I have had two major surgeries this year to lysis adhesions, with the first one not quite getting all of the adhesions removed from the lower left pelvic area. (I wasn't coping and my vital signs said it was time to close!). That was in April, then in July my condition deteriorated rapidly and it became clear that I would have to have a second surgery. (My story and slides taken during my surgery are available on The Australian Adhesions Support Group web site http://www.bombobeach.com).
Fortunately for me, SprayGel had just been released in our country, and my surgeon was able to organise at very short notice (within an hour) for me to have SprayGel. I am happy to say that after six kits of SprayGel were applied to the raw surfaces inside my abdominal cavity... that I have managed to stay, I believe relatively adhesion free! This is a very exciting development and I am thrilled with the results.
I am telling you so much about myself Karen to give you hope. Currently the FDA in your country are conducting trials with this new adhesions barrier and it is estimated it will be available for use in early 2004.
I hope that you find the comfort and support you seek here on this board, and that you also visit us on the Australian site. We have a "How to Cope" section and a chat room. The chat times are posted on the chat page along with a world clock so that you can check what the times are in your time zone.
Best wishes to you Karen P, you will remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Love & warm gentle hugs, Jo
-- Joanne Eslick Founder Australian Adhesions Support Group http://www.bombobeach.com NSW Australian Co-ordinator of International Adhesions Society http://www.adhesions.org
-- I am not a medical person, and all my messages are based on personal experience. I am a fellow adhesions sufferer reaching out to help others.