Today we’d like to introduce you to Yardeh Dobyne.
Yardeh, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am diagnosed with Chronic Abdominal Adhesion, Bowel Obstruction, and a frozen abdomen. I also battle Adhesions Related Disorder (ARD). It all started with a painful gynecological disorder Endometriosis, and Uterine fibroids, which lead to multiple surgeries. Years later, more fibroids (tumor) lead to more operations, and the pain continues to get worse. I received the devastating news during one of my doctor visits. That I needed to have a Hysterectomy.
I was advised that having a hysterectomy was the answer to my problems. Not left with much of a choice, I had a hysterectomy in July 2009, by November of 2009, I had a full bowel obstruction and my life changed forever. It’s been a journey since — hospital stays, ER visits, and many restless days and sleepless nights. Visited several hospitals in multiple states seeking help to ease my chronic pain but was unsuccessful. I am dealing with emotional disorders such as depression and hopelessness. ABDOMINAL ADHESIONS: A practical review of an often-overlooked entity. Adhesions can also lead to a very complex set of problems called Adhesion Related Disorder (ARD). Adhesions are a widespread problem. Up to 93 percent of people who have abdominal surgery go onto develop adhesions. However, there are different levels of adherence; some people suffer from it, and others may not have any issues.
Unfortunately for me, I fall within the end-stage of this horrible disease. I developed Chronic Adhesions, and I have been told, nothing can be done to help ease my pain. There are great doctors in this nation, but no one is willing to operate on someone like me at this stage of adhesions. I am now dependent on medication daily, and sometimes, I am treated like a drug addict when I arrive at the ER. I get an IV of morphine among other meds and sent on my way, to return a few hours later to get admitted due to a partial or full bowel obstruction. The TREATMENT for adhesion is SURGERY, more surgery more Adhesions. It would be great if we stopped putting a bandage and more dressing on top of an open wound. Instead, medical professionals should explain in depth to every patient that is going to have abdominal surgery, the risk, and benefits. Surgeons should use protective measures during surgery and put barrels in place to slow down the development of adhesions on all patients. And not just the selective few. Since adhesions develop as the body attempts to repair itself. We need help; I hope that we can get better medical treatment. Enough of the pain pills get down to the root cause. Narcotics have side effects and can cause constipation, and may even result in the person getting hook on OPIOIDS. And, you know what, that is not what anyone wants in one’s life. Anyone with this disorder/diagnosis needs to get the same kind of help that other sufferers, survivors, and patients received. WE ALSO MATTER.
However, during this challenging time of my life, I kept a full-time job with the same company for nineteen years and counting — until five months ago. I got sick again with a distended stomach, blood pressure 210/110, chronic abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, went to the ER and was admitted. With new symptoms and more tests, results came, and they are now proposing there may be a need to remove my large intestine and a part of my small to have it re-routed. But I believe that my Lord Jesus Christ has already worked it out for my good and HE God will get the Glory. At the same time, I am afraid it is taking a toll on me but remember: I am only human. because this is the longest period, I have had to miss work after being discharged from any hospital in the past.
These horrible, painful gynecological painful diseases – Endometriosis and Uterine fibroids have cost me a lot, including the inability to bear children. And chronic abdominal adhesions will cause you to lose some friends, family members, husbands and placed you in a deep financial burden. My husband at the time couldn’t handle seeing me in the horrific pain I was experiencing, and for those reasons I had to do something. So, I filed for divorce.
Three years ago, I started a non-profit Foundation called Yardeh Hope 4 Life Foundation, Inc., with the hope and intent it would enable me to increase public awareness of this potentially horrific condition. It is my hope to educate the general public, through community outreach and workshops, in order that anyone suffering as I am can receive very needed support, and also that this problem will be better understood and the necessary support be provided to patients, survivors, and caregiver.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The road has been a full battle: restless days and sleepless nights. The chronic pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and constant nausea has made it virtually impossible for me to live a normal life. Not knowing when my condition will flare up, has made it impossible for me not to take long trips with family or to visit my family. Unable to plan vacations in advance, due to last minute cancellations. And changing my diet was one of the hardest things I had to do because Having a good and healthy eating habit was no longer possible, I have had to unlearn how to eat because I cannot eat food that is high in fiber, no salads, or any food that will not process quickly through my systems, due to the twisted part of mine intestine. I also suffer from consistent constipation making it impossible for me to move my bowels without aid.
The most challenging part for me though has been trying to get others that are suffering from this disease, and some of the others I know who are suffering from the same condition, to stand up and talk about what they are experiencing. Instead, they are suffering in silence. Also, it is very difficult to get others to stand with you and carry the torch so that no one else may not go through what I have endure. Another challenge is in trying to get better medical treatment and to have Abdominal Pelvic Adhesions/Adhesion Related Disorder be recognized as a Chronic disease. One strong feeling I have is that no one with this condition should not have to go through international channels in order to seek the help we need because we have a frozen abdomen. One of the things I dislike the most is when I hear doctors say,” sorry, there is nothing more that we can do for you. Take these pain pills, and watch what you eat, but if you think or feel that you have a bowel obstruction, try to make it to the hospital, because then we can try to operate to try and save your life.”
What else should our readers know?
Yardeh Hope 4 Life Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit organization, recognized by the IRS as a 501(C)(3) entity. An Intra- Abdominal Adhesion/Adhesion Relation Disorder (ARD) grassroots nonprofit Foundation. The Organization was established in 2016 by a daughter and mother whose lives were changed when the daughter was diagnosed as having a frozen abdomen after an attempted abdominal surgery for bowel obstruction failed. The goal of this organization is to increase public AWARENESS about Adhesion Related Disease, which includes Abdominal and Pelvic Adhesions. We intend to EDUCATE through community outreach and workshops to provide SUPPORT to patients, survivors, and caregivers.
We advocate for advance treatment and recognition of chronic abdominal adhesion (Intra-scar tissues) as a debilitating disease. And want everyone to be well aware of the complications and complexities of living with Chronic Abdominal/Pelvic Adhesions and Adhesion Related Disease. We educate through community workshops and outreach and advocate for greater awareness of Chronic conditions. We continue to support advance medical research for alternative medical treatment and preventive techniques for Abdominal Pelvic Adhesions and Adhesion Related Disorder.
We are proud that we have managed to keep moving forward with our goal, despite the many “No’s we received and the small number of supporters we may have at this time. What sets us apart is that we don’t only cater to our patients and our survivors, but we also cater to our caregivers, children and others chronic pain sufferers. Due to the fact that this particular medical condition, scar tissue/adhesions, causes everything to stick together it makes us a very close-knit support group. We are YH4L: Learn, Lean, Love, Live.
Learn; about each other’s condition and bring awareness
Lean: on each other for support
Love: we love each other dearly and clearly demonstrate our faith and love of God
Live: we encourage a survivor to live a full life. We provide each other with ICE; Inspiration, coverage and empowerment.
QUESTION GOES HERE
Growing up, I was a very happy and loving child and always very overprotective of my siblings. I was outgoing and always enjoyed being around my family, especially during Sunday’s gatherings while they were in the kitchen. And I was a child who loved going to church because I loved the singing we did, playing with my friends, and being able to go out to get ice cream following the service.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1838 Old Norcross Road
Ste #100
Lawrenceville, Georgia 30044 - Website: yardehhope4life.org
- Phone: 770 864 6886
- Email: yardehhope4life@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yardeh_hope_4_life/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/dyardeh1
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