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Photo by Priscilla Du Preez<\/a> on Unsplash <\/span><\/p>\n A few years later, the memory of pain faded. My husband and I decided we wanted more kids. My incredibly insightful obstetrician-gynecologist (OBGYN) mentioned the risk of getting another thrombosed hemorrhoid. The thought gave me instant anxiety.<\/p>\n I knew I should talk to my colorectal surgeon. She mentioned the option of hemorrhoidectomy, a surgery to remove hemorrhoids. She cautioned the surgery and recovery were extremely painful. My Obgyn\u2019s words haunted me. I wanted more children and did not want to risk another excruciating experience while pregnant.<\/p>\n On the day of surgery, I was not nervous at all. I prepared precisely the way I was instructed. Anesthesia went well. I woke up feeling fine, and I left the surgery center soon after. My surgery was first thing in the morning, and the first afternoon was a breeze. I started narcotics to get ahead of the pain as well as stool softeners and laxatives to prepare my bowels. I stuck to a primarily \u201csoup and crackers\u201d diet. I\u2019ve always been a regular in the bathroom. I was optimistic my recovery process would be more comfortable than expected.<\/p>\n My body ached. The pressure built up on my raw wounds. Anxiety kicked in. I was terrified to sit on the toilet. Finally, I decided to try, and the worst thing possible was happening. I was constipated. Was I too nervous?<\/em> Something didn\u2019t feel normal.<\/p>\n All I could think was that my butt had been sewn shut. Maybe my body wasn\u2019t letting me poop. I know that sounds crazy. Those two days of trying to have a soft, regular bowel movement will probably scar me for life.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I did ridiculous things to have a bowel movement. I repeated a bible verse.<\/p>\n “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”(Phil, 4:13)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n I asked friends to pray for my bowel movements and even tried pooping while soaking in the bathtub and even used a mirror and flashlight to see if anything was actually coming out. These are the desperate things I resorted to when unable to perform one of the most basic human functions.<\/p>\n After these hours of hell, Heaven\u2019s gates opened, and the laxatives worked. Success! I sat on the toilet for the first time since the surgery. It wasn\u2019t excruciating. Immediately, I texted my husband to tell him the news!<\/p>\n I never imagined I would send someone a text about #bowelmovements. I\u2019m currently on day six of recovery, and I\u2019m feeling a lot better. I still have residual discomfort down there. I\u2019m taking Advil, eating a bland diet, and keeping regular with laxatives and stool softeners. But I can walk into the bathroom with confidence that I\u2019m not going to die. I am hoping to return to my usual activities soon.<\/p>\n Despite the pain of recovery, I am glad I had the surgery. Many women suffer from hemorrhoids. They feel they have exhausted all options. The most common fears I hear from these women is, \u201cI just have to live with it<\/em>.\u201d Others may be too embarrassed to talk about anal pain, constipation, or bleeding with bowel movements.<\/p>\n We need to be open and honest with our doctors to get the help we need. There is nothing we can say that they have not heard before.<\/p>\n This surgery may or may not be right for everyone. It was worth seeking alternatives and being well informed to make my decision. If you asked me two days ago if the surgery was worth it, I would have started crying<\/p>\n If you ask me today, I confidently and definitively say YES.<\/p>\n I mean, who doesn\u2019t want a normal anus?<\/p>\n Thank you to <\/span><\/i>Candour<\/span><\/i><\/a> for publishing this article on Medium<\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n This article was contributed by MacArthur Medical Center\u2019s amazing<\/p>\n patient and Macarthur Mom<\/a>\u00a0Kate P.<\/p>\n Main blog Photo by: Sydney Sims<\/a> on Unsplash<\/p>\n Do you have a story to tell to help others? Share your thoughts as a guest author for MacArthur Minute. Email us your draft to MAcarthurmedicalcenter123@gmail.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\nNever say\u00a0never<\/h4>\n
I opted for the\u00a0surgery<\/h4>\n
And then I had to\u00a0poop\u2026<\/h4>\n
The Light at the End of the Tunnel<\/h4>\n
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<\/div>\nPhoto by Isaac Davis<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/span><\/h6>\n
\u201cI pooped, and it was\u00a0okay!\u201d<\/h4>\n
Hemorrhoid surgery was worth\u00a0it<\/h4>\n
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