Back in the Driver’s Seat: How Ruth Overcame Bladder Control Problems
December 09, 2025
For 26 years, Ruth Rodriguez was an expert at driving her bus through the busy streets of New York. While she was in control of her bus, a secret health problem was taking control of her life. She often felt the need to use the bathroom and sometimes experienced leaks or accidents. This made her feel alone and unable to do the things she wanted.
But today, thanks to a robotic-assisted surgery, Ruth's life has changed. She is back in control of her bus, her health and her future.
A Roadblock to a Full Life
The struggle with Ruth’s bladder began years ago and continued to get worse. “I had symptoms for a couple of years,” she recalls. “Irregularity, urgency; it got to the point where every time I had to use the bathroom, I had a lot of tingling in my hands.”
Her struggle wasn’t just physical; it was difficult for her emotionally and socially as well. As a bus driver, access to a bathroom is not readily available. The bumpy roads made her condition even worse. "People think driving a bus is easy," Ruth explains. "But it's tough on your body, especially when you always have to use the bathroom."
Her social life also suffered. Simple joys like visiting friends, going swimming or even just running errands were overshadowed by the constant worry of an accident. “Every time I had to go somewhere, I had to consider, ‘Am I going to be able to make it?’” she says. “I felt like a 90-year-old. This is not a way to live.”
A Path to Diagnosis
After years of feeling like other doctors weren’t understanding her struggle, Ruth found urogynecologist Lauren Tennyson, M.D. This was the turning point.
Dr. Tennyson listened and gave Ruth's problem a name: pelvic organ prolapse. She explained that the muscles holding Ruth’s pelvic organs in place had weakened, causing her uterus and bladder to droop from their normal spot.
“Pelvic organ prolapse is the herniation, or bulging, of one or more pelvic organs down into the vagina,” Dr. Tennyson explains. This can include the uterus, vaginal walls, rectum or bladder.
When physical therapy and medication didn’t help, Dr. Tennyson suggested robotic-assisted surgery to make very careful repairs.
“The top of the vagina or uterus is like a curtain rod, and the bladder and rectum are like the curtains. If the curtain rod drops down, the curtains fall with it,” Dr. Tennyson explains. “My job with surgery is to hang that curtain rod back up, which lifts everything with it.”
A Step-by-Step Look at the Surgery
Dr. Tennyson explains that the goal of the surgery is to lift everything back into its proper place. Here’s how she does it using a robotic-assisted procedure.
- Why Use a Robot? Instead of making one large cut, the doctor uses a special robot with tiny, precise tools. This allows for smaller cuts, which means a faster and easier recovery. “This is a same-day surgery, and recovery is about four weeks,” says Dr. Tennyson.
- Deciding on the Uterus. A hysterectomy (removing the uterus) isn't always needed. A doctor might suggest it if:
- The uterus is the main organ that has dropped.
- There are other health concerns, like the risk of cancer.
- The person is sure they are done having children.
- Many people worry about this step, but Dr. Tennyson offers reassurance. “A lot of times, women hear the word ‘hysterectomy’ and their eyes grow wide and they fear losing their femininity,” she says. “But most women don’t know that your hormones come from your ovaries, not your uterus.”
- Adding a Supportive Mesh. Next, the doctor adds a supportive mesh. Think of this as a thin but strong strap or patch that helps hold everything in place. This material is safe and has been approved by the FDA for this surgery.
- Lifting Everything Back into Place. Finally, the mesh is used to lift the pelvic organs back to where they belong. “The mesh is used to reinforce the body’s natural tissue,” says Dr. Tennyson. “It lifts the top of the vagina up, which in turn, lifts the whole pelvic floor.”
A New Beginning
The procedure was a success, and Ruth recovered quickly. The results changed her life.
“I am able to hold my bladder, which is something I have not been able to do in years,” Ruth says with relief. “I do not need a pad at all. To me, that’s crazy.”
Being free from worry has given her back her confidence in her social and professional life. “You don’t understand,” she says. “She [Dr. Tennyson] changed my life, for real.”
A Message of Hope
Now, Ruth wants to share her story to help other women who may be suffering in silence. Her advice is simple but powerful: Speak up for yourself. Don’t accept that leaking urine or feeling pain is just a normal part of getting older.
“I told my mom and my sister they have to get their bladders checked,” she says. “I saw so many doctors, and nobody listened until Dr. Tennyson. She told me from the beginning, ‘We’re going to fix this.’”
Dr. Tennyson wants women to know there is nothing to be embarrassed about. She stresses just how common pelvic organ prolapse is:
- Up to half of all women will experience a pelvic floor disorder.
- Of those women, most wait an average of six years before seeking treatment.
“Just remember, you are not alone. This is so common and can be treated,” Dr. Tennyson says. “You can move on with your life and have the active life you want to be living.”
Ruth’s story is a reminder that with the right doctor and the right treatment, anything is possible. You don’t have to be held back by a pelvic floor disorder – a full, active and worry-free life is waiting for you.
Next Steps & Resources
- Meet our source: Lauren Tennyson, M.D.
- To make an appointment, call 800-822-8905 or find a urogynecology specialist here.
- Learn more about urogynecology services at Hackensack Meridian Health.
The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.
