Patient Stories
Sutter Women's Services
Evelyn – Living Life to the Fullest
“It was miserable.”
That’s how Evelyn describes her constant worrying about bladder control. A couple years ago, Evelyn’s doctor told her that she was suffering from pelvic organ prolapse – a condition in which the tissue supporting her bladder weakened. As a result, her pelvic organs were shifting downward, putting unrelenting pressure on her bladder – and causing Evelyn to be on constant lookout for the nearest ladies’ room.
Her situation was made worse since she and her husband, Arthur, both in their mid-70s, lead active lives. They take care of the home they’ve lived in for 40 years, and the large property it sits on in Meadow Vista. They have three children, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Evelyn and Arthur are also frequent travelers, taking full advantage of their retirement years.
“But it wasn’t fair,” she said. “I love to travel, but I didn’t want to leave my home since I knew I always had to be close to a bathroom.”
Evelyn’s doctor prescribed medication to help alleviate her symptoms. “That didn’t work at all,” Evelyn said. Her primary care physician then referred her to an OB/GYN, who prescribed a pessary, a device inserted to help hold up her bladder. “That didn’t work either,” Evelyn said.
Thinking she was at the end of her rope, Evelyn was then referred to urogynecologist Dr. Wesley Hilger.
“He was so understanding and supportive,” she said about Dr. Hilger, who had Evelyn undergo a series of tests to evaluate her gynecologic condition and overall health. When Dr. Hilger explained to Evelyn that there was a new surgery involving robotic technology that could help her, she was open to the idea.
“Dr. Hilger and his wonderful staff did so many tests to find the best treatment for me,” she said. “I trusted him and decided to do it.”
In March 2007, Evelyn underwent gynecologic surgery at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento.
“Dr. Hilger and the nurses took very good care of me. I felt they were genuinely concerned with how I was doing,” Evelyn said about her three-day stay in the hospital.
Soon after the surgery, Evelyn resumed her normal activities – and no longer worried about making sure a bathroom was nearby.
“I would absolutely recommend this surgery to anyone who is going through what I did,” she says. “I feel so much better; it is a huge relief. Now I can focus on living my life!”
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