A woman develops prolapse, causing bladder issues and kidney risk

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After suddenly losing her husband, retired human resources professional Celina Kusznier was navigating heavy grief and severe anxiety. Living alone in Manchester Township, NJ, her world became even more overwhelming when she developed severe pelvic organ prolapse.

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Her bladder, uterus, and rectum had dropped, making it nearly impossible to empty her bladder and causing urine to back up into her kidney. Initially, Celina managed the condition with a removable device called a pessary. When it stopped working, she faced her greatest fear: surgery. Terrified of anesthesia and deeply worried she wouldn't wake up, Celina hesitated to seek a permanent solution.

Then she met Laurie A. Kane, M.D., a urogynecologist at Hackensack Meridian Southern Ocean Medical Center. Dr. Kane immediately recognized Celina's intense fears and prioritized building trust over five months of consultations, even including Celina's out-of-state daughter by phone.

"I feel it is very important to individualize patient care," Dr. Kane says. "I knew conservative treatment with the pessary was not going to work for much longer. She would need surgery. It was important to let her come to that conclusion on her own terms."

For Celina, this patient-centered approach made all the difference. "The minute I met her, I just liked the way she conducted herself, the way she treated me, and I became very comfortable with her," Celina recalls.

To address Celina's anesthesia phobia, Dr. Kane arranged a special pre-surgery consultation with anesthesiologist Marco Caruso, M.D. He called Celina the day before her procedure to listen and validate her concerns.

"He spent as much time as he needed to learn about my anxieties," says Celina. "Now I'm not alone. Now there is somebody that knows, and he's on my side."

On the day of her surgery, the Southern Ocean Medical Center staff surrounded Celina and her son in support, ensuring they felt safe, informed, and calm.

"The nurses in perioperative care go out of their way to make sure each patient is getting not just medical care, but also emotional support," adds Dr. Kane.

Thanks to a team that prioritized her emotional well-being just as much as her physical health, Celina successfully conquered her fears and reclaimed her quality of life.

Read Celina's full story and find out how Dr. Kane cared for her.

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