Dr. Crowley, if you're out there.

I just want to take a moment and thank you for all that you did for me....and to wish you much success with your new location and life in beautiful Utah. You will be terribly missed by everyone, like me, to have been in your care. God Bless you.

This is a video a friend of mine made.

http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ7scAhr0K0

Incase you need this....

Medtronics Toll Free Number for those of you that already have the InterStim for Bladder control...

1-800-510-6735

Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time Zone

This is a 'patient ONLY' phone number

Please feel welcome

Please feel welcome to email me if you have any questions. I understand that people have been sending comments via this blog, but I have not been getting them, unless they went into my spam folder. You may reach me at pennyitforward at yahoo. We are in this journey together, so do feel welcome to email me if you have any questions. I can only relate to you from my own personal experience, but cannot give you any medical advice. Thanks.

Cystoscopy

Recently had a cystoscopy as pictured in the image here. How my Dr. does it is like the photo shows. There is a long steel rod with a camera on it that is gently inserted into the bladder. I am awake for the procedure. It's alittle uncomfortable, but not painful. Fluid is added to open the bladder up so that the Dr. can see the condition of the inside of the bladder. It showed my Interstitial Cystitis and a cluster of blisters, which I knew that I had. The procedure takes no more than a few minutes, and the Dr will discuss your condition with you. Mine was relatively unchanged, so I didn't have a biopsy this time. Usually I will have this procedure twice a year. After the procedure you should be taking an antibiotic for a few days. I took Levaquin for three days and am doing fine. You may have some slight discomfort for a day after the test and pass a slight bit of blood, but after a day you should be fine. Don't be afraid of getting this done. Having your Dr. see inside the bladder is the best way to assess your condition....and you want the best for yourself don't you? I do.

A gift

Out there in the world tonite there are many women (and men) who will go to bed and suffer through another night because of issues of Interstitial Cystitis and frequency. No one wants to talk about bladder issues, but to me, it's like talking about any other topic. I hate that people are suffering with these problems when I know that at least part of the problem can be fixed through proper medical care, medication, and even the InterStim. I do not take it for granted that I can now drive across town without having to stop somewhere to empty my bladder. I don't take it for granted that I now enjoy the luxury of 'sleep'...but I am also aware that everyone's journey will be different. Our health issues can be unique to ourselves alone. In my case, it started as a young child when I couldn't sleep through the night without wetting the bed. I was beaten severely because of it. Had my face rubbed in urine as a child and forced to sleep in a barn with the manure and the cows because I couldn't hold my bladder. Now at nearly the age of 57 I have reached a place in my life where life free of bladder worries is such a blessing........and I wish that same blessing this holiday season to all that suffer. It's all I want....to see people well from this relentless frequency......find a Dr. that will help you. Find out if you have IC and do all that you can to help yourself get well. My Dr. gave me a great gift...and one I could never repay....a gift of freedom and to be able to feel human again....perhaps for the very first time in all of my nearly 57 years. Thank you, Doc. You ARE the BEST!

My wish.....for all who suffer.

Below you will find a link that will take you to the Central Utah Clinic where my Urologist is now practicing. His name is Dr. Jim D. Crowley and I highly recommend his services if you live in the area. I am very saddened that he is leaving Las Vegas, infact has already begun to practice in Utah. He is an exceptional Dr. and one that takes great care with his patients. I was fortunate to have him take care of me....and who knows....maybe when the battery needs replaced, I can have him replace it. Of course, to travel at my expense. It's really hard to say good bye to such an excellent health care provider. Anyone who needs a Urologist will find a great one in him.

http://centralutahclinic.com/providers/jim-d-crowley-md

Well I'm not gonna lie, today is a difficult day.

Today was my six month check up with my urologist. Had to have a cystoscopy and everything seems to be stable in my bladder so I don't have to go back for six months. Sadly, though, my Dr. lowered a bombshell on me. He is relocating his practice out of state to Utah. There is another uro in the same office that will take over my care, but it just won't be the same. I have been holding back a cry-fest, but I have a feeling that before the night is over the tears will come. This Dr. gave me back my life...and I say that as realistically as I possibly can. I have gone from having a bladder that was complete torture for me, to having one because of the InterStim that is far more stable. I am sleeping better and functioning better because of this. If you have read this blog then you know that I was my Doctor's first InterStim patient. He did a perfect job and there are no words that will ever, EVER be uttered that I can utter that will ever repay him for what he did for me. It's really REALLY hard to see him leave Las Vegas, but I know that he will be well received in Provo and it will be a great place for him to reside and raise his family. I will miss him. Right now I'd like to cry my eyes out, and in actuality there are some tears flowing......but I will send him a card from time to time and I have a funny feeling that he will never forget me, just as I will never forget him. God Bless him for all he did to help me have a quality of life that allows me not to be married to the bathroom every fifteen minutes. This is a difficult and sad day for me.