I kept asking for help with what I knew was going to become a problem. “Can I get some stool softener or a fiber drink or something? It’s been three days since I went, and I know it can get bad with all these pain meds.”

“No, no, against policy. We don’t do that.”

“Really? I can’t have anything that will help with this situation?”

“No, no, no.”

Three days without pooping—that’s not a good thing. But they were very clear: not possible, not possible.

Normally I’m a pretty regular kind of gal, and I know how badly you can screw up your body by not going. So… I set myself on a mission to make sure I would create a movement, so to speak…