Roxana went in for a Hysterectomy in January. We were told and thought all went well. Unfortunately, after a week we realised something wasn’t quite right and returned to Lincoln Hospital where she was told she had an infection and course of antibiotics was given. After a few days things got worse, and she was admitted back into hospital. Where after a CT scan and several more days in hospital it was discovered, they had injured her bladder when carrying out her Hysterectomy. This coursed a Fistula which was very rear. Only 100 cases a year out of 66000 operations of Hysterectomy and C section.

This came as a big shock especially when we were told she would have to have a Catheter for 6 weeks and then go back for another CT scan to see if it had healed.

We were sent home shell shocked and given very little instruction. All night Roxana was in terrible pain and went back to the hospital the next day where she was again examined and was told the Catheter was fitted wrong and a new one was fitted and again sent home.

The next day however her Catheter bag was filling with blood, and we went straight to hospital knowing something was not right.

This was a distressing and worrying time as Roxana was bleeding heavily and several clots were removed. She kept bleeding and got weaker. It was estimated she had lost 2 litres of blood and at one point I thought I had lost her as she went unconscious. The whole ward rushed to her aid and thankfully they revived her and stabilised her and managed to pack the bleeding.

Roxana was very weak and was in hospital for a week to recover. After leaving hospital we never heard anything about her future appointments to see about whether her Fistula had healed, and the Catheter removed. Unfortunately, after 14 phone calls it was established, nothing had been done.

She managed to get a CT Appointment and a consultant’s appointment. Unfortunately, the consultant couldn’t do much as even after 10 days the radiographer hadn’t done his report. Roxana then was sent for a Cystoscopy where again the wait took several weeks.

When Roxana went for her Cystoscopy, she was told everything had heeled and her Catheter was removed.

This was 13 weeks after she first had a Catheter fitted. Throughout this Roxana was in incredible pain, suffered with urine infection after urine infection and was very limited to what she was able to do. Her mental health had suffered tremendously throughout.

A week later Roxana knew something was not right and went back to hospital where again she was admitted, and another CT scan was given and it showed her Fistula had opened up. Unfortunately, she needs an operation to fix it and was told she would have to wait a year.

Roxana has been left Incontinent and must adjust having to wear Tena pants which she gets through at least 12 pairs a day, not being able to go out for long period of time and always having to take a change of clothes. This has taken a tremendous knock on her mental health. I’m she you will agree if you know Roxana is a very elegant, proud and independent lady and having to live like this another year will just destroy her.

We have seen a private consultant who can get her in on the 19th of September. He does nearly half of the UK Fistula operation and the care she would receive would be finally what she deserves.

The only problem with that is it comes at a substantial cost of £17500. I know this is a vast amount of money and don’t expect to receive enough to cover the whole cost but if you are able to donate a little it will all add up and help towards the operation.

I would never usually ask for help especially with money, but I generally am worried about Roxana. Getting the op and care she needs as soon as possible is of vast importance. As I am extremely worried about her mental state.