Four years ago as I sat at the computer in the wee hours if the morning trying to learn any information that I could about pelvic organ prolapse but there was not a lot to go on. I gathered some definitions from a few medical websites ad stumbled across a few graphic images that left me in tears and terrified about my future. When I came across Sherrie J. Palm and her book POP The Silent Epidemic I was so very thankful to find her. I felt compelled to reach out to her in my desperation to feel connected with another woman living with this condition. For much too long I had felt like I was the only one living with POP and that nobody understood. I continue to view Sherrie Palm as a Guru. Her advocacy, knowledge of POP, and vision have paved the way for women such as myself to garner the courage to share our stories.
My personal experience is that of being a thirty-eight-year-old mother of two baby daughters who was diagnosed with pelvic organ prolapse. After a year of waiting to see a specialist I was encouraged to stave off surgery and get as far along in my life as possible. This fuelled my passion to share my story and advocate awareness for this health issue I had not heard about until I was diagnosed. The heart of my story lies in the time it took to rebuild my life through a very unexpected wellness journey. My quest to live in a body I described as literally falling apart included seeing multiple doctors, trying to find a pain management support group, speaking with a psychologist, finding a life coach, visiting a naturopath, regular pelvic floor physiotherapy and Chinese acupuncture appointments, and learning to meditate all while raising my 14 month old and 3 year old daughters and working full time. While not every pathway supported my journey and wellness I can honestly say I don’t regret trying many avenues to support my health. I learned a lot along the way and if it weren’t for trying I never would have known what worked for me and what did not.
The amazing news is that in the 6 years since I have been living with pelvic organ prolapse there have been significant changes. I mean really significant! I am so happy that through my personal advocacy and networking I have met an amazing group of women who have felt a strong calling to support pelvic floor wellness in various capacities including fitness experts and pelvic floor physiotherapists. There are an increasing array of products that support the dignity and lifestyle of women living with POP. There is also an amazing exercise program called “Pfilates” that I believe every woman should do for prevention and maintenance. So while I can have my own setbacks from time to time I ultimately have an increasing amount of hope for women living with pelvic organ prolapse. Sherrie Palm states, “POP is seldom life threatening, but always life changing.” The impacts are huge and are not only physical but also emotional. Healing is a complex journey yet as more knowledge and options become available women will no longer suffer alone and for as long.
The amazing news is that in the 6 years since I have been living with pelvic organ prolapse there have been significant changes. I mean really significant! I am so happy that through my personal advocacy and networking I have met an amazing group of women who have felt a strong calling to support pelvic floor wellness in various capacities including fitness experts and pelvic floor physiotherapists. There are an increasing array of products that support the dignity and lifestyle of women living with POP. There is also an amazing exercise program called “Pfilates” that I believe every woman should do for prevention and maintenance. So while I can have my own setbacks from time to time I ultimately have an increasing amount of hope for women living with pelvic organ prolapse. Sherrie Palm states, “POP is seldom life threatening, but always life changing.” The impacts are huge and are not only physical but also emotional. Healing is a complex journey yet as more knowledge and options become available women will no longer suffer alone and for as long.
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