Dale Matson
There are numerous types of interventions for physical
problems including but not limited to chemicals, lifestyle changes (including
diet and exercise), reduced stress, acupuncture, radiation, meditation and
prayer and blood infusion.
There are some physical problems however that require
surgery. This may be a repair of tendons, ligaments or bones. Now joint
replacement is becoming more common. Sometimes it is the removal of a tumor or
even organs like tonsils or an appendix.
Surgery is something I have tended to put off as long as
possible. I am eventually driven to surgical intervention by increasing pain. I
had a bad experience with general anesthesia when I was 11 years old. I needed
a tonsillectomy because of chronic tonsillitis and frequent sore throats. The
surgeon used ether and I can say that it was a terrible experience with the
medical staff holding me down on the operating table. In those days they didn't
have a name for my experience but it would be called posttraumatic stress
disorder today. From that time on, I refused any surgery that would require
general anesthesia.
I developed a couple of hernias after age 50 and pretty much
ignored them for years since I didn’t experience pain. I used a truss when I
lifted weights. One day I was removing a stubborn bicycle tire from a rim to
repair a flat and felt a pain in my right lower groin. This one really hurt and
required a truss for everyday-all day use. Hernias do not repair themselves.
After consulting with a surgeon who assured me he could repair the hernia
without putting me to sleep, I had it repaired. After a few days of pain from
the surgery, I noticed there was no more pain from the hernia. It was repaired.
Like most men my age, I have an enlarged prostate (BPH).
Since the prostate surrounds the urethra, as it enlarges it constricts the
urethra and the bladder compensates by pushing harder. The result is difficulty
when starting to urinate and incomplete emptying of the bladder. This means
more frequent trips to the bathroom and getting up frequently at night. This
problem really diminishes the quality of life of an older man. pills to help
relax the bladder helped at first but eventually the body adapts and I found
myself getting up 6 and 7 times a night. This is no longer sleeping. It is
serial napping that was diminishing my health. While there are several options,
I had what is called the “gold standard” the T.U.R.P. I was too far-gone for
the less invasive microwave procedure. My process is also nicknamed the
‘roto-rooter’. It took months to recover a good urine stream and I had
prolonged bleeding but I would go through it all again. I probably do better
now than when I was 50 years old.
My most recent surgery was for carpal tunnel syndrome. I was
a heavy equipment operator for 17 years and it caused the compartment that my
median nerve runs through to compress the nerve. I have had pain and numbness
in my thumb and first two fingers plus problems in the palm of my hand for many
years. It has been really difficult riding my bike and working on the computer.
My most recent nerve conduction study indicated that things were deteriorating
even more. After the procedure, I had pain from my surgery but no more numbness
in my hand.
There are simply some things that can only be addressed by
surgery. If you are putting it off, please don't be like me and wait beyond the
optimal time for surgical intervention. In many cases things will only get
worse and you may not regain all of the function even after the surgery. I hope
things work out for you.
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