Fighting On - a documentary by Bill Olson -- personal stories

	History Multiple abdominal surgeries which include 2 C-sections (1985-87); several hernia repairs, bladder augmentation (1998); six months later (1999) exploratory laparotomy for small bowel obstruction caused by multiple adhesions. Inguinal hernia repair with mesh was also done at this time. In 1999 she also had transvaginal nuerolysis to improve incontinence. On 5-17-2000, Tammie had complicated incisional hernia repair using mesh and lysis of multiple adhesions. 3-20-2001, Tammie had exploratory laparotomy for a partial small bowel obstruction from adhesions. Lysis of adhesions was performed as well as repair of ventral hernia and removing all mesh. Present diagnosis Multiple adhesions causing partial bowel obstruction, large midline abdominal incisional hernia containing loops of small bowel as well as a small portion of bladder. Thickening of the margin of this hernia on the left, which may represent some chronic irritation. Some recurring asthma, bladder that requires daily catherization, morbid obese, frequent bladder infections. Patient complaints Pain, sometimes excruciating, along the left side; back pain; lower and upper abdominal pain, sometimes to the point of nausea and a sense of loss with reality; continuous constipation problems; immobility because of the large hernia; lack of sleep because of the pain resulting in a feeling of exhaustion. Present medical treatment Tylenol Extra Strength for pain, Xenical for obesity, Cephalexin 250 mg daily for bladder infection, flovent, combivent and albuterol as needed for asthma, milk of magnesia and docusate sodium daily for constipation, daily catherization to empty the bladder. Prognosis High risk for severe complications in any type of surgical intervention and a low chance for improvement.