July 3, 2010
One cannot imagine that a time can come when you don’t know the problem you have, who will tell you what it is and finally what should one do. I heard from various doctors in my country - India, that I had a ‘prolapse’ akin to a bladder prolapsed and that a team of doctors would undertake the surgery: a laparoscopic doctor, an obstetrician gynaecologist and an urologist. Sounds like a solution. A second opinion from a highly recommended obstetrician gynaecologist in Artemis, Gurgaon was that I didn’t have just a ‘prolapse’ but a serious ‘vault prolapse’ (prolapse of the inner wall) and that only an urogynaeocologist can undertake such a surgery. So the next question was – could she recommend such a specialist. The answer was that there is only one in India. So, my husband and I toodled off to consult with her. It was a horrifying experience of archaic methods, unhygienic environment and no disclosure that a ‘test’ was being done under local anaesthesia. More home work needed to be done. World-renowned doctors in USA were contacted – but we felt it was too far away considering that there could be post surgery complications.
We reached out to Gleneagles in Singapore and a number of names of doctors came our way. Dr Christopher Chong was the most experienced in our view and had a state-of-the-art solution, experience and skills. He confirmed that it was indeed a ‘vault prolapse’ in an advanced stage. He had to use a ’mesh’ (invented by a French company, subsequently sold to Johnson & Johnson) that was to be hooked onto the pelvic bone and ligaments so as to be able to provide support to the wall and organs. It was not only a complicated surgery but there was a risk of the mesh being rejected. Armed with confidence in Chris Chong’s expertise and advice, I was operated 2 months ago. Today, I’m back to work, quite overwhelmed by the fact that it was successful. There are many people to thank and one is humbled by the goodness of many friends, colleagues and family who supported me through this very difficult time.
If there is anyone out there who does not know what to do in any kind of ‘prolapse’ situation, my suggestion is that take an opinion from Dr Chris Chong so that you don’t go down the wrong path on some half-baked advice.
The ‘quiet efficiency’ of doctors, staff and nursing care cannot be lauded enough. It was an experience that one will never forget. I got a new life and I wish that many others will benefit from this blog report.
Do not hesitate to contact me should you feel the need to do so.
prema.sagar@gmail.com
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
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