[K Howard]

Congratulations sgkophie on your one year anniversary! I’m glad to know that all is going well for you and I wish you much continued success!

Becca thank you SO much and a huge congratulations to you! It is truly a blessing and I am wishing you a very healthy pregnancy and delivery 🙂

Thank you so much Allie! I truly appreciate it!

Thank you 23years!

Dr. Pacik, thank you for your kind words! This truly would not have been possible without you and your wonderful staff. I truly appreciate all that you’ve done for myself, my family and so many other women around the world. You have truly made an impact in my life and I am forever thankful and appreciative. I will be sure to send photos of the little one 🙂

[K Howard]

Allie, I’m so very happy to see this post from you. Such kind and truthful words about Dr. Pacik and his staff. I can remember meeting with you prior to your procedure and praying for you. To look now at how far you’ve come just gives me such joy 🙂 The little one is such a cutie and I can’t wait to see what other blessings – more babies 🙂 are in store for you and your family! Take care!

[K Howard]

Hello Haley!

First of all, I would like to congratulate you for taking the first step into your new life! You’ve made a great choice in scheduling your procedure!

I can relate to so many things that you’ve written in your post. I too was a level 5 vaginismus patient. For me, tampons too were a big no no growing up and sex was completely out of the question. Also, as you mentioned – the wedding night. No one wants to have those particular “memories” on what is supposed to be such a special night between two lovers but it is quite common for those experiencing Vaginismus (untreated) and I was no exception.

So many of us have felt all alone for so long and as if no one could possibly understand our pain and struggles but please know that you are not alone in this. You will definitely find support here in the forum and Dr. Pacik and his staff are very knowledgeable, kind, understanding and anything else you can imagine!

It of course is normal to feel many different things leading up to the procedure (I know I did). You WILL be able to overcome the anxiety of penetration. Celebrating even the smallest of victories will help chip away at all of the things ingrained in your brain over the years. You will truly be amazed when you wake up with a dilator inside of you! It may be hard to even picture that at this moment but it will truly be your “ah ha” moment! Remember to dilate in the way that Dr. Pacik recommends and not to beat yourself up. 🙂 Although hard to do sometimes, try not to compare yourself to others. Just remember that this is a journey (YOUR journey) and not a race and that everyone is different.

I truly believe that you will amaze yourself and find out just how strong you really are after your procedure!

I can’t wait to read all about your experience and of the wonderful progress you will make! Very proud of you and know you will do well!

Take Care!

Karla

[K Howard]

Heather: Thank you so much for posting the information from Darcy! I can totally relate to the information that she talks about. I find myself now trying to catch up my emotional parts to the physical. Trying to start over at the very beginning and learn/explore myself and my husband and try to enjoy things along the way instead of it being so clinical (area where I struggle). I really liked the part where Darcy says:

“With almost 2 hours to “prepare your vagina” you are focusing on only one aspect of what it takes the female body to be ready for sex. I am a huge fan of bottled lubricant. There is nothing better for a woman than good, wet, slippery surfaces. However, there is a lot more to being sexually ready than being wet and having a vaginal opening that is dilated and non-spasming.”

Coffee: I experienced soreness when I first started with #6 (about 3 weeks post procedure – I had the procedure on 8/13/12) but over time, it got better just with being consistent with it. There were times, though that unless I just completely couldn’t tolerate it, I stuck it out and was able to keep it in longer each time. Now, I usually keep it in for an hour (sometimes longer if I forget and the time passes lol).

Also, I started physical therapy the week after I had the procedure and have been going once a week since then. I was so terrified as I had never done PT before and didn’t know what to expect but thankfully I was referred (by my GYN) to a wonderful therapist and the office specializes in pelvic pain. The biggest thing that has helped me is just being up front and communicating with the therapist if/when I feel discomfort. I recently switched physical therapists (the one I was seeing no longer works there) and she mainly works with internal stretching during the appointments. We have moved to 75% of two finger insertion last week and hoping for 100% this week. I was a bit disappointed initially when she first tried and it just didn’t work out – it was like my body was fighting against me. She explained however, that although I’ve progressed very well with the dilators, two fingers is a different feel and texture when inserted and my body has to get used to that as well. I really like the fact that she wants me not only to do well with dilators but also with other aspects, similar to what Darcy’s response discussed. The therapy has really helped me a lot and I feel was a really good decision for me. I hope that all goes well with you. If you have any questions about the PT, please let me know!

[K Howard]

This is wonderful Allie! I am SOOOOOO happy for you and your hubby!!! This brings tears to my eyes just thinking about how far you’ve come in such a short period of time. I am so proud of you!

[K Howard]

You are so very welcome! I’m glad that the email helped you out in getting things done today! You are doing such a wonderful job and I’m so proud of you! You are truly one busy lady but one that is committed to overcoming this!

[K Howard]

Hey Allie…praying all the best for you in overcoming this challenging time. I’m glad that you had a good day today (you SO deserve that!) and hoping that things go well on Monday for you!!

[K Howard]

Congratulations Dr. Pacik on patient #200!! Thank you for all of the wonderful work that you and the staff do for all of us women and our significant others and families. I cannot thank you enough and could never repay all that you have done! Woo hoo Allie on being #200!

[K Howard]

So glad that you decided to join the forum (family) Nicole! I am equally excited that you have taken a leap of faith and scheduled your appointment – December will be here before you know it and your life will be forever changed! I can remember the shame and secrecy and never wanting anyone to find out. It truly takes over your life but the procedure helps you to begin taking that control back. Every day may not be the easiest but it is all worth it. We are all here for you!

[K Howard]

Allie this is so great! I am so excited at your continued success!

[K Howard]

You’re welcome..and yes, to everything that Heather said 🙂 It does feel kind of strange walking around and it feels like everyone “knows” that you have it in there somehow lol but you do definitely get use to it the more practice you have. My husband and I visited the beach as well and absolutely LOVED it! Twisting/turning the dilator after having it in place for a while truly works wonders and helps big time for the removal. I wish you the best for day 2…you will do fabulous!

[K Howard]

I thought so too Janet…I just could not help but share what my mother shared with me!

[K Howard]

5. This is something that I was sent by my mother and it immediately made me think about Vaginismus.

Don’t Meditate on the Little Disappointments

Deep hurt doesn’t just come from huge disappointments, like when we fail to get the job or promotion we really wanted. Deep emotional hurt can come from a series of minor annoyances and frustrations. That’s why we must know how to handle the small, daily disappointments and keep them in perspective.

When you focus on something continually, it’s called meditation. The little frustrations that come up every day are annoying on their own, but when they pile up, it almost seems impossible to meditate on anything else.

But instead of concentrating on your problems and getting discouraged, focus on God and meditate on His promises for you. Life might get you down, but you don’t have to stay down. God is ready, willing and able to pick you up.

When disappointment weighs on you, you can either let it press you down, or you can use it as a stepping-stone to better things. Choose to face disappointment at its onset by meditating on God’s ways. He has better things for you, and He will help you defeat disappointment.

Prayer Starter: God, like Psalm 119:15 says, I will meditate on Your Word, not the little disappointments that try to press me down. Life can be discouraging, but Your Word is so encouraging, I know I can overcome the discouragement by looking to You!

[K Howard]

This is wonderful Nakitalab! I’m so glad that things went well for you (and Allie) this morning! Enjoy NH…definitely a beautiful place. I agree that the post counseling was very important for me too!

[K Howard]

I’m so glad that you two have done so well today! I am so proud of you two. Praying that the days ahead are even better!!

[Author]

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