Six months ago I announced that I was ‘coming out of the closet’ regarding my health issue with Pelvic Organ Prolapse. Today I’m back to share how that decision has improved my life.
After dealing with POP symptoms for what seemed like an eternity, I finally decided to seek answers to my questions concerning this health condition. It took a fair amount of courage to face the fact that I needed help. It wasn’t an easy decision by any means because I tried to tell myself it was just part of the aging process and I would just have to ‘deal with it’ the best I could.
I’m here to tell you, that isn’t the case. No woman needs to suffer in silence or hide their health issues in a closet. I totally understand how reluctant some women are to talk about or be treated for this health issue. I grew up in the era when women’s health issues weren’t openly discussed among peers but were generally relegated to a dark closet. However, times have changed and although some may not know it, there is hope and help for those who suffer from this malady. New treatment options occur daily that allow women to control, improve, and repair this cryptic health condition. It’s time to openly discuss women’s health issues.
Although I tried to keep up with a daily exercise program before surgery, it became difficult because of the pressure and pain I was experiencing. Because of this, I gained an extra 15 pounds in a very short period. It was a very depressing time for me. But, after the brief recovery from surgery in January I was once again able to exercise and follow a simple diet that resulted in my losing 22 pounds by mid-March.
My life today is one hundred percent better than it was before my surgery. I can go for walks, out to dinner, and shopping without having to worry about what might happen. If you suffer from Pelvic Organ Prolapse I encourage you to not hide in a closet or allow it to define how you live your life. Take charge of your health. After all, there is a better life after leaving the closet!
Betty Heath
Did you miss Betty’s original article about her surgery? Read it here!
About The Author: Betty Heath lives in Colorado with her husband. She is “retired from work, but not from living”, and has a weekly column called “As I See It”, which appears each Sunday in the Longmont Times-Call, owned by the Denver Post. She enjoys writing, cooking, gardening, and quilting. Betty also volunteers in the St. Vrain Valley School District, helping students learn how to write from their hearts. For the past six years, she and her husband have volunteered as Santa and Mrs. Claus for the Holiday Festival in the Carbon Valley. You can read more from Betty on her blog, The Rejoicing Soul.
