THANKS for the hug ETO, Made me cry all over again. But your words really cheered me up. I have taken pain killers and am sitting on the heating pad. But the good news is that I can sit and type without too much pain. Unfortunately I don't have a pet but instead two teenage kids who I can't really snuggle with or even share this with. It's TMI to them. But I do have a great book, some movies and will distract myself. Thanks for the support. It is sooo much appreciated. The thing is that once you are hurting badly it takes so much willpower to do a BM again. I can put up with a lot but this pain has been so paralyzing. It wears me out. I'll take a bath now and will read a book in the tub. I really miss my gym. Working out has always chased away the blues. Do you think Kegel exercises are helpful?