I'm stuck in a Medical Nightmare

Hello. My name is Donna Pelletier. I am a 41 year old mother to 4, step-mom to 1, Grandmother to 1, and a Wife. We currently reside in Kelvington, Saskatchewan.

Let me start off by stating that starting this Go-Fund-Me is something that I have thought long and hard about, and has taken me overcoming my pride to do. Myself and my husband are not the type of people that feel comfortable asking for help.

On January 3/24 I underwent a Hysterectomy at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre- due to Adenomyosis and prolonged/excessive bleeding.

Hours after surgery & being released from the recovery room, I suffered what I soon becan to refer to as a "pain attack"- severe pain in my abdomen and back. Initially, I thought this to be due to the surgery itself, as well as my back problems (I underwent a disectomy in April of 2023). I was given IV pain meds, which treated the issue and I was able to get some rest in my hospital room that night.

The next day, January 4, another "pain attack" and more IV pain meds. Due to the nature of the surgery that I had, a catheter had been installed. At some point on this day, a nurse came in to remove the catheter and noted that my urinary output did not match my input, as I was still on IV fluids, as well as oral intake. The catheter was removed with instructions to drink more fluids.

January 5/24 I was discharged from hospital and sent home to recover.

By noon the following day (January 6) I was in the Emergency Department at my local hospital for another "pain attack". At this point, my abdomen, feet and hands were quite swollen. It was assumed at this point that I was suffering from Ileus (temporary paralysis of intestines- a side effect of abdominal surgery), and was admitted and treated for such, and then released the following day.

January 8 I was sent by my local doctor, to Melfort for Ultrasound.

I had another "pain attack" on this day, as well as the next, but was able to treat both at home with prescribed painkillers.

January 10 I was back in Emergency for severe pain and given a shot of painkiller.

January 11 I was once again sent to Melfort for a CT Scan. At this time it was found that there was something wrong with my left kidney- it was presenting as hydronephrosis (Severe swelling of the kidney and ureter, due to being unable to drain) I was then sent quickly to Saskatoon to St. Pauls Hospital to see the Urologist on call.

Upon my arrival, the Urologist that I saw informed me that it appeared as though my left Ureter had been sewn completely shut by the surgeon that performed my hysterectomy 8 days prior, and that the severe instances of pain that I had been having was actually my kidney.

To say that I was shocked is an understatement. I couldn't believe that this was happening- it literally DID feel like a horrible nightmare.

I was admitted to the hospital at that point, just in time for another bout of horrible pain.

The following day, I was put under, and a doctor from the urology team attempted to go in through my bladder to open up the ureter so that my kidney could drain. A Stent would be inserted to ensure that the ureter would stay open. This procedure failed- it was stitched completely shut.

I am thankful every day that my husband was there by my side when they delivered this news to me, upon wakening. I knew what the alternate "fix" was- to have a Nephrostomy.

For those of you unfamiliar- a nephrostemy is a hole that is made in your back, into your kidney, that they then insert a tube into. This tube drains the urine, from said kidney, into a catheter bag.

Due to the problem not being discovered for 8 days post hysterectomy, too much inflammation had set into my body to open me back up and repair the closed ureter.

On January 13, I was sedated, and a nephrostomy was installed in my left kidney. I was discharged from hospital the following day- January 14- to live with this tube, and a catheter bag, for the next 8 weeks.

I learned in my time in Saskatoon hospital, that had this been discovered within 48 hours of the initial surgery, I could have been operated on right there to fix it.

In the time since, I have had to go to my local hospital once a week for dressing changes, and have had to travel back to Saskatoon twice. Once for a removal/reinstallation of the nephrostomy due to leakage.

I am uncomfortable, physically, all the time. This incident has severely impacted my quality of life, and my mental health is in shambles. As a previously healthy and active woman, I'm embarrassed by my condition.

I was set to return to work on February 15, initially, but due to my upcoming surgery- scheduled for February 29- and current condition, I will not be able to return to work until mid-April.

During my upcoming surgery, the Urology team in Saskatoon will cut off my left ureter, above the damaged portion, and reattach it to my bladder. There will also be a Stent installed from my kidney to my bladder to allow the ureter to heal, and I will remain in hospital in Saskatoon for 5 days post-op. This stent will be removed during yet ANOTHER procedure on March 28. Due to the nature of the surgery I am to have, there is future risk of my ureter closing over time, leading to hydronephrosis all over again. Therefore, I will have to have my kidney function checked every 6 months for the rest of my life. Prior to this, I had no kidney issues whatsoever...A mistake made by a surgeon during a routine and common surgery has destroyed my life as I knew it.

My children have suffered- I've missed out on so many of their activities and presentations- not to mention how worried they have been, and continue to be, during this whole ordeal.

Financially, we're near ruin. I am lucky enough to be able to have short term disability through my employer, but this only pays 60% of my income.

My husband, who is a private contractor, has been unable to work very much since the beginning of January, except for one small local job, due to having to remain close and care for me, while also looking after the house and children. I am unable to drive due to the pain and discomfort at the nephrostomy site while sitting in our vehicle.

Combined with the cut in our monthly income, we have had to travel so much for my tests, procedures, and hospital stays.... it all adds up to this point, where I am swallowing my pride and asking anyone that may be willing and able, to donate anything you may be able to, to help us get through this extremely difficult time.

I know times are really hard for so many right now, and I do understand. If you are unable to donate, please share, and help get my story out there.

I would also like to give a shout out to the staff at both the Kelvington Hospital, and St. Paul's Hospital during this whole ordeal. The kindness, compassion, and level of care that I received by every doctor and nurse that I've been in contact with at both of these hospitals has been nothing short of amazing, and I will never forget it.

Many thanks and tons of love to all of you ❤️ Thank you.