Peaches and Cream

I am now at 13 days post-op from my stage 2 InterStim procedure. After being pretty much home bound for a month we decided to venture out and go to a movie. My son wanted to see Shutter Island so that's what we went to see. I wasn't sure how comfortable I would be to sit through an entire movie but no guts, no glory as they say. Well, we got our popcorn, pretzels and large diet cokes (something I should never drink) and found our seats. The movie started and after about ten minutes there was a problem with the projector. After waiting a half an hour we were all moved into another theater and the movie was started all over again. My son and I continued to stuff our faces with all of our junk food and eventually did get to enjoy the movie. I will say though, that the next time "I" am picking the flick, because this is truly a movie that messes with the mind, and Lord knows mine doesn't need to be messed with! I did become uncomfortable for about the last half hour of the movie and had to keep changing positions, but I made it through. The BEST thing about the movie was when it was over and I didn't have to make a mad dash for the bathroom. Infact I came all the way home with no problem before I used the facilities. I will say though that I had a difficult night last night. To be frank and honest, I've noticed this on only two nights since the Stage 2 procedure. "If" my intestines are full, or should I say, I haven't had a good bowel movement it seems to effect the way my InterStim works, or at least in my mind it seems to, and I have to pee alittle more at night. But once I empty the bowel the following day it is working really well again. This is just something that I have personally noticed and may not happen for anyone else. I did drink a large soda and that can over work my kidneys and I know better, but sometimes you just have to be bad. Life isn't going to always be peaches and cream. Body functions aren't always going to be perfect, but I am to blame for that. Having the InterStim means getting to know an entirely new body in many ways and adjusting to how it will work best. And, what can I say....I LOVE IT!!!!

I love it!

Last night I enjoyed FIVE hours of interrupted sleep! That hasn't happened in years! I'll probably always have to get up once or twice at night for the restroom. My bladder isn't very large. But to sleep like that felt so good! It sure beats getting up every 45 minutes all night long!

Sleepy foot

Have begun to have problems with my left foot falling asleep. If I turn the device up to a certain point, it seems to make my foot go to sleep. It's working fine on the lower setting, and so far so good. Otherwise I have no complaints and am very greatful for having this done! (Am going to edit this. the problem with my foot falling asleep has greatly improved. It is not a problem anymore.)

A bit on the fretful side

I didn't sleep so well last night. On top of working on recovery from the InterStim, I have a very painful shoulder. Anytime I move it hurts and I wake up. Will see my regular Dr. on Friday. They already told me that I have Tendonitis, but by gosh, it's time for some pain relief! I can tell you that physical therapy was a waste of time and money and didn't do a shred of good. Hopefully tonight I will rest better. I really over did it yesterday.

A gift for my Urologist

I see my Urologist on Thursday. I put together a gift for him. He could use a few more pictures on his walls anyway! He is a former military Dr. and since I was his first InterStim patient that he actually did the procedure on, in many ways we gave each other a gift of freedom. He received the confidence in knowing that he could do the procedure successfully and I received the freedom of not being married to the bathroom 24-7. I hope he likes the gift! I'll let you know.

Embracing feelings along the journey

It is my third day since having my implant. Although I'm not completely comfortable at night yet, the discomfort that I feel is not that bad, and is what I would consider normal for having surgery. My implant area is still alittle swollen but I am using an ice pack for short moments off and on and it helps. Today I decided to use the remote (as I call it), which is a device that controls the amount of frequency that is sent to the InterStim. I wanted to turn it up just slightly, but for some reason I was feeling alittle scared to venture out and do it for the first time. I guess those feelings are normal and I worked through it. My Medtronic Rep gave me step by step, easy instructions, with pictures on how to do it and it turned out to be very very easy. The device consists of a piece that goes over the implant and attaches to the remote. I was able to easily turn the frequency up slightly and reach the InterStim in my back side without any problem. Whew! I'm glad I took that first step! Now the rest will be easy, should I decide to change the frequency or turn the device on or off at any time.

Two Days Post-Op

It is the morning of the second day since my InterStim implant. I was a bit more uncomfortable overnight, but partly because I am on a c-pap machine and the mask kept moving, plus my shoulder and the tendonitis in it was troubling me. The incision site seems to be alittle more painful today and there is some minimal swelling, but otherwise I am doing well. I cannot complain because this procedure has been a great gift to me and I am eternally greatful.

Scarred for "LIFE"!

I took the plunge this morning. I looked over my shoulder in the bathroom mirror to see what my scar looked like after having the InterStim device implanted. As I looked at my scar, I thought, "boy, I'm scarred for life!" I went back to lay down and rest. I began thinking about what I had just said to myself..."scarred for life". What a profound statement. One often thinks of being scarred for life after a traumatic event. A soldier returns from the battlefield to face post traumatic stress disorder. A person survives a car accident yet is afraid to get back in a car. There are many different things that come into our lives that can leave permanent scars on who we are and what we are. But for me, when I got to thinking about that phrase, I had to think of it much differently. Why? Well, for the last couple of years I have had no real life. I've suffered so bad. Always in the bathroom, never sleeping enough, trying to work and function when all I wanted was some relief from the relentless trips to the bathroom. Since having the InterStim I have a life again. I am not married to the bathroom or the misery of constant trips to it. I HAVE MY "LIFE" BACK!!!! I will be able to go places and do things once I heal without having to panic and worry where the nearest bathroom is. So yes, yes, I'll take that scar. I'd take twenty more just like it if I had too because it's brought me back my "LIFE". I AM scarred for "LIFE" and "LIFE" IS BEAUTIFUL!

Doing better

Turned my Test Stimulator off to clean up and when I turned it back on it seems to be working again. I don't have the urgency anymore. Thank the good Lord. Must have been just a machine malfunction or something. I feel so much better. The purpose of this BLOG is to post everything along my journey with this and will include life after the permanent one is implanted. Any setbacks I will talk about. I want to keep this 100% real. It sure is a good feeling to feel it working again.

Hopefully just a minor setback

Yesterday late afternoon my test stimulator fell off my waistband. I grabbed it quickly but it still dangled for a few moments before I could get it. Overnight my urgency symptoms were back. I hope that this is just a minor set back that can be fixed because it has worked so perfectly for me until last night.

The Do's During Test Stimulation

1.) Take it easy! Avoid strenuous activity, lifting heavy objects, bending, twisting and stretching
2.) Avoid putting stress on the lead. Be careful when getting into or out of chairs or the car.
3.) Use your external Test Stimulator as instructed to increase or decrease the stimulation level. The GREEN light should be blinking on your stimulator.
4.) Sense the stimulation at all times but not to where it's uncomfortable. Stimulation should be felt in the lower buttocks or anus or towards the front of the bladder/pelvic area. If the stimulaton has moved or you do not sense it in either of these areas, contact your physician's office.
5.) Make sure the "A" (amplitude) dial on the test box is completely turned OFF before unplugging the cable and that it remains off when plugging the cable back in.
6.) Medtronic recommends turning OFF your Test Stim box while you are operating a motor vehicle.
7.) Take antibiotics and pain medication as prescribed. Some pain at the site of the incision is normal.
8.) Maintain a voiding diary as accurately as possible.
9.) Wait for the urge to empty your bladder before you urinate. Try not to hold your urine.
10.) Report signs of infection, fever, tenderness, swellig of the incision site, foul smelling yellow drainage from the incision site. ( a small amount of drainage is normal).
11.) Call your Dr. or nurse if you have any questions
(information provided by Medtronics to me after my first procedure)

the DON'TS during the Test Stimulation period

1.) Don't take a bath. Take a sponge bath. After 48 hours you can take a frontal only shower, being careful NOT to get the procedure area wet.
2.)Do NOT wear the Test Stimulator while bathing, whether sponging off or frontal shower. Disconnect the cable from the Stimulator, wrap the end of it and the cable in a zip lock plastic bag and secure. (I tape the bag to my back side. Do not get any of this wet.
3.) Do not scoot when you get in and out of a car or chair. Try to sit flat.
4.)Do not bend over, try and kneel instead and don't lift heavy items.
5.)Do not have sex. Being too active too soon can cause the lead to move out of postition.
6.)Do not pull on the chord or get it caught on anything. (I already had that problem, so I am very careful now)
7.)Drink your normal amount of fluids. Try not to change your normal routine.

(these Don'ts were provided by my Medtronic Rep)

What the Test Stimulater feels like

First of all, I can tell you that as long as you don't set your Test Stimulator too high it is NOT uncomfortable and does not cause any pain. You should feel something like a pulsing, vibrating, tapping, pulling, pressure, or tingling. (taken from the Medtronic Information I received)

Joy CAN replace sorrow

It's hard to believe that just one week ago I was in a deep sorrow. I was suffering and not dealing with my life so well. Imagine, if you will, going to the bathroom 30-50 times each and every single day, day in, and day out and all night long. That was me. I couldn't even sleep at night for the relentless bathroom visits. I suffered silently at work trying to do my job and I came home too weary to fix dinner or clean the house. I was in a place of deep sorrow and pain because my body was not working right.

Since having the temporary InterStim my life has completely changed. I actually HAVE a life now and it feels great. Joy has replaced my sorrow. I want to take my joy to others and to help them through simelar difficulties. No one should suffer because of a very over active bladder when there is such a great remedy. Next Wednesday I will receive the permanent implant. I am so greatful for the Medtronics rep and for my Urologist, who, took the plunge and made me his first InterStim patient. He did an awesome job and I thank them both for my joy!

It just feels good to feel good

Just want to take a moment and thank God. It is because of Him and the gift of invention from Medronics that I am getting my life back. It's an experience that humbles a person and makes them very greatful.

As a bed wetting child I used to play with flowers something like these. They were called Queen Anne's Lace. You could find me sitting in a field somewhere playing with them, I would turn them upside down and pretend that they were wonderful, elegant women in fancy ball gowns. I would hide in the tall grass and play for hours. Now I am an adult that has just come through more than two years of horrible incontinence and urgency. I have come full circle and feel so much better.

I am eternally greatful.

(photo compliments of D. Sharon Pruitt)

How am I coping with the Test Stimulator?

The answer to this is, I am doing'very well'. The Medtronics Rep gave me a list of Do's and Don'ts and I'll share them with you all as soon as I can. But for now I thought I would write about the Test Stimulator and how I am coping with it. I already sleep using a cpap machin and oxygen concentrator, so adding this test stimulater was pretty easy. I clip it to the front of my pants or pjs during the day and when I am sleeping. There is a knob on top that regulates the current, which I keep on number 1. It goes up to number 10 but I find that anything above the number one is too strong for me, and it's working great at that level. I have to keep a log of how much and when I void, so I clip the Stimulator to the front of my shirt and put a hand over it ALWAYS if I am bending over. I don't think it would ever fall off, but I am not taking any chances.

Also, VERY IMPORTANT, when you go through a door or near something that the wire could catch on, I keep my arm over the wire. I did slightly catch it on the bathroom door knob the first night and that made me realize that I need to be very careful, so I just cover it with my arm when anything is nearby.

Sleeping is no problem. It stays in place. When you sleep and need to change position, do not rub your back along your bed. Instead, lift your body with your feet to change position. You can sleep in virtually any position, including on your back. Just use caution, but don't be afraid. It's not that hard to use or have on.