Needed: Hows and Whys … Not Just DOs

I’ve been debating sharing this information because I find it kind of embarrassing. After a couple weeks and today’s doctor’s visit, I decided to share in case anyone else is going through this.

I have uterine (and other organ) prolapse. That means some internal organs are drooping in my private area. Go online and read somewhere else if you want specifics. A couple weeks ago when I called my primary care physician’s office about what I was feeling and seeing, they sent me to the emergency room. I went. Turns out, it wasn’t an emergency and a couple weeks later, I visited a gynecologist who gave me a pessary. A pessary is kind of like a diaphragm that is inserted and supports (holds up) the internal organs.

I didn’t get a warm and fuzzy feeling from the gyn on the first visit. Today, I returned for a check-up. I told her the pessary didn’t feel like it fit well. Of course, they are non-returnable (and we are glad they are), but now I’m buying a second one (and I don’t think this one fits right either).

Here’s my problem with this doctor. I believe she is totally competent. She deals with this condition numerous times a day. BUT, I don’t think she gets that it’s the FIRST and ONLY time I am dealing with it. She says, “It fits fine for your anatomy.” I ask her about surgery; she says, “It would require a complete hysterectomy.” I ask her about what the emergency room found on my ultrasound; she says, “It’s nothing.” I tell her it’s difficult and painful to remove the pessary; she says, “Use the estrogen cream.” One sentence answers and that’s all.

I need empathy. I need why I’m doing or feeling something. I need how to do it. I don’t function well with just “do this, don’t do that.” I need more. So now I’m home with 2 pessaries – neither which I’m comfortable with. I still don’t have a good feeling. But since she assured me it’s not an emergency, I think I’ll just live with what I have for now … and start looking for another GYN that provides more than just one short sentence answers and cares (or at least acts like she cares) about me, the patient.

I’m not going to worry about it anymore till next week when I return from a solo trip to Nashville to babysit my 6 month old grandson. Hooray!