birth story and prolapse issues

I'm a 33 year old with "universal prolapse". I gave birth to my son, Harry, 15 months ago today. I wanted to share my story.
I had a doula and laboured at home for some time but then went to the hospital where the medical intervention began. I was checked with a doppler and Harry's heartbeat was dropping each time I had a contraction . . . I was put on oxygen (didn't help), hooked to a scalpal monitor (therefore couldn't move around), told I had to be on the birthing table to push because the doctor was afraid something would go wrong (I had wanted to squat . . . and the fear this put in me!!), and in the end the doctor (who kept looking at her watch) decided it was in the baby's best interest to use the vacuum for extraction. The vacuum was partially inserted and my body spit it back out (the vacuum was turned on - "oh - sorry about that . . . we'll try again"). The vacuum was inserted again and Harry flew out of me like a cork out of a champagne bottle. Shane, my husband, said the doctor literally caught him about 12 inches from the ground. I had a third degree tear and was told I was fully intact until the shoulders came out (no kidding - isn't there supposed to be a pause and turn between the head coming out and shoulders easing out?) and that I tore because my perineum is shorter than normal (my physiotherapist has since told me my perineum is quite normal - even above average in length).
Over the next few months I described the feeling I was experiencing as a bar of Dove soap between my legs while I walked and a constant achy feeling in the pelvic area. Was this normal childbirth healing after a tear? It hurt to carry my son and every time I bent over to pick him up I felt like I would pee my pants (and did leak, I'm sure). I also noticed a bulge right at the entrance to my vagina that I was sure wasn't there pre-childbirth. It wasn't until 4 months later (last September) that I finally got help. I was referred by my doc to a physiotherapist and visited her several times over the next 5 months. She diagnosed me with grade 2 cystocele, grade 1+ prolapsed uteris and grade 1 rectocele. She helped me with variations on the "kegel" which led up to "the elevator" and "the crown". She also applied pressure inside my vagina (I had been finding intercourse very painful) to ease the spasms I was having and instructed me on stretching the vaginal opening to help break down the scar tissue from the tear.
I was then referred by her (through my doctor's "persmission" of course - sarcasm) to the Pelvic Floor Clinic. I learned that, because I was a runner and chronically constipated pre-childbirth, this could have led to a weakened pelvic floor. I was fitted with a pessary. I haven't worn it very often (I'm on my second style trial now and find my prolapses tend to "swallow" it up and it makes me more uncomfortable - possibly wrong size/style?) I've also been trying acupuncture and have been taking Chinese herbs.
With everything I've been doing, I sure have come a long way but felt there must be something more out there. After 6 months of off and on internet browsing, I came across Christine's Whole Woman site a couple of weeks ago. Finally, I felt like there was someone who understood me. I went from feelings of awe that I'd found this site to sobby tears as I read through some of the entries on the "Community Forum". My DVD and book just arrived last Friday and I am renewed with hope that I can live a quality life (and that maybe I'll be able to run another half marathon some day). Thanks so much, Christine, for all your work on this topic. I'd hug you if I could!

Sincerely,
Heather from Alberta, Canada