Donna’s Story

I have been living with mesh-related injury since I had a simple procedure to help with mild bladder incontinence around 20 years ago. I was fitted with a TVT (trans-vaginal tape) which is made of a plastic-type material or ‘mesh’ and is about 1cm wide and 20-30 cm long.

The mesh is supposed to support the bladder but, in my case, it cut through my vaginal wall 3 times, each time leaving me in horrible pain, like being cut with glass internally. It makes every moment excruciating and causes me widespread pelvic pain and pain and weakness in my legs and back.

I have had several operations because of the mesh. For me, the worst was having to have a hysterectomy,  mesh-removal, and an internal sling made from my own tissue to replace the mesh in one big operation. As there are no specific mesh-removal services in Wales, I did not have a good outcome and have been left disabled. I am now waiting to lose all of my large bowel and have a stoma, as well as having to have what they call a ‘Barbie Bottom’. This is where they remove and sew up the rectum due to damage or disease.

Being left disabled by an operation that was described to me as ‘Gold Standard’ has ruined my life. I was a mother of 3 children, aged 37, when it was done, so it took away my ability to be the mother and wife that I was.

There is little to no specialist treatment for mesh-related injury in Wales. This leaves women like myself at risk of postcode lotteries for surgery because, often, local consultants have no experience at managing the complex needs we have.

My story is just one of many. Lots of patients like me are still trying to access help but encounter brick walls for years, with little to no help or pain management. There needs to be more specialised services for women with mesh injuries in Wales and, alongside that, redress for the damage done to mesh victims, as is being discussed in England.

I have shared my story with FTWW because there are so many women still impacted by mesh here and I want them to know they are not alone and that there is support out there. Thank you for reading.