searching for answers

Hi Pink Lady

Welcome. Yours is a very common story. I am always sorry to hear that another woman has discovered prolapses, but glad that you have found us, where you have joined a group of women of all ages who will fill you in and encourage you on a journey you have not asked to go on.

The best starting point for you would be to go to www.wholewoman.com, where you will find FAQ's about Wholewoman and Christine Kent's work. Then follow the link on the homepage to the Wholewoman Shop where you will find Christine's book, Saving the Wholewoman.

This is not a sales spiel as such. There is a whole heap more detail in the book, especially the details of all the different types of surgical procedures done for the various prolapses, including risk factors and possible complications. I was amazed when I checked all the references in this section of the book. They are all good professional journals that she has sourced the information from, and all the information is in one place.

It is not light or pleasant reading, but very sobering, as many women are not able to get the whole story from their gynaecologists. There is just so much information to take in.

Unfortunately, less pain, shorter surgery time, shorter recovery time, and minimally invasive are not the only criteria for good surgery. The end result in terms of doing no harm while in there, minimising internal scarring (mesh is designed to create scar tissue, but it is not predictable) and recreating tissue that has been damaged are also very important measures, not so much in post-operative period which the surgeon is interested in, but for the rest of a woman's life. None of the surgeries that surgically suspend organs come out with five stars for these measures. They all carry risks which might not be big number-wise, but can be devastating and lifechanging in a negative way for the woman concerned, for the rest of her life, should she draw the short straw.

Just make sure you read this book before actually agreeing to any surgery. It will give you more information for deciding about possible surgery.

You have a lot of reading to do, and a lot of things to learn about how your body works. By the way it is very normal to feel angry, grief-stricken and a whole heap of other emotions when you find out about prolapse, but it will get easier as you go along. It will not kill you. There are no real cures, but lots of ways to prevent further damage and live with your prolapses.

Keep calling back with questions and comments.

Cheers

Louise

Hi Pink Lady,
I just read your story and it is similar to mine. I am to have a prolift in the new year. I was wondering if you went through with it and if you did, do you have any regrets?

sybille

I have had prolapses since 2000 and following the advice on this board, I have learned to live with them. Mine are the universal prolapses which "act" as "pessaries", keeping things pretty much in place. I find the Mayan message done every evening when retiring keeps things "in place." Google and you should find a place where it tells you how to do this. Between that and the posture recommended here, I hope to keep surgery far away from me.

By the way - "Hello Christine." It's been a long time since I have been on this board - working way too much, me thinks.

I Googled it, and can only find web sites offering classes, etc. Do you have a link to a web site that actually gives instructions on the technique? Thank you.
Goldfinch

I don't think you can find any instructions for it on line but can find instructions in the book,"Rain Forest Home Remedies," by Rosita Arvigo and Nadine Epstein. You can purchase the book on Amazon.

Arvigo Self-Care

Self-care work is the cornerstone of the Arvigo techniques. In the words of Nicole Kruck, LMT and certified Arvigo practitioner, "This work gives you the power to heal yourself using your own two hands." Anyone can learn Maya abdominal and uterine massage. The technique is the same whether applied to men or women.

• Wear loose, comfortable clothes. Empty your bladder. Lie on your back, with support under your knees.
• Relax and breathe deeply for a few minutes.
• Bring both hands together onto the pubic bone, tucking one thumb under the other with the other eight fingers close together. Fingers should be slightly bent and relaxed so your hands resemble a hoe.
• Slide your hands off the pubic bone toward your head and sink your fingers as deep as you comfortably can into the soft flesh. With a gentle motion, dig deeply here as long as you do not feel any discomfort, and with a light, but firm massage, gently stroke in an upward motion to your navel. Repeat this movement from pubic bone to navel for approximately two minutes. If you experience pain or discomfort, lighten up on the pressure, but continue to massage upward and as deeply as you can within your own comfort zone. Remember to breathe slowly and comfortably with each massage stroke.
• If after the massage you experience any discomfort, you have been massaging too deeply. Give yourself a few days rest before resuming again with lighter touch.
• The massage is best if performed daily for 30 days, then twice a week thereafter. For women, stop five days before your period is due. If you are uncertain when your cycle is to begin, it is okay to massage until you start your period.

Most women report they feel a distinctive improvement in the circulation throughout their pelvis, legs and feet during and after a treatment. They often describe it as feeling much lighter. You may experience some changes in your menstruation, including more blood flow and a temporary increase in the number of days you flow. This is a sign that your uterus is getting healthy again.

Note: Do not perform the Maya uterine massage on yourself if you have had abdominal surgery within the last six months, are under medical treatment for cancer of pelvic abdominal infection, you are pregnant, you have an IUD (intra-uterine device for birth control), you experience any pain or emotional upheavals during the treatment, you are taking any pain killers that may mask pain during the treatment, or you experience a sudden onset of pain that requires the evaluation of a health care provider.

Seek the advice of a trained Arvigo practitioner in your area, listed at arvigomassage.com.

from Rosita Arvigo's book, Rainforest Home Remedies, The Maya Way to Heal Your Body and Nourish Your Soul.

Thank you so much Mommynow! I really appreciate the time you took to write all of this out. It was very kind of you! I'm going to try it today.

no worries! i just cut and pasted it :)