Fiercely Independent Pam

Category: Updates

  • My Hospital Room’s Floor Needed a Hug: Overnight Adventures!

    You really can’t make up what goes on in my world. In the wee hours of the morning, I got up to use the bathroom and washed my hands, all while using the provided walker. As I was on my way back to the bed, the floor jumped up for a hug and I crash landed on my butt and hip area. Once I came to (in actuality I passed out again), I scooted myself to be able to reach the call button on the bed.

    The next few minutes were quite a blur. A rapid response was called and lots of people came flooding into the room asking a billion questions. No, I don’t think I hit my head. Yes, my back hurts (on goes the collar). Yes, I need help getting up(be careful what you ask for, help comes in the roughest form possible usually.)No, we are not waiting for any guys to come, women power at work! Poof! I was back in my hospital bed and off the floor.

    I was then whisked away to the CT for a full body scan. Nothing major came up on the scan, so I guess that is a good thing. No new incidental findings either!

    Then I regained my composure and realized my left lower leg was not really working and felt heavy and weird. Called the nurse, got shipped to the neuroscience unit and here I lay with collar still on awaiting a fun trip to the MRI machine to scan my entire spine. That should be at least an hour in the tube! I am obviously not allowed out of bed at this time so using the bathroom is an adventure. As is keeping my pressure sore which was healing so well from getting worse and opening.

    Trying not to be scared about the numbness, thinking it’s related to the L1 compression fracture that I previously had. The neurosurgeon was in and concurs with the plan of the full MRI. This is going to be an expensive bill, thank goodness for good insurance. Hopefully the treatment will just be more time in the back brace.

    Thank goodness for my tribe, those people who are willing to help me when the going gets tough. My brother is picking up some stuff from my apartment like my back brace and my dear concierge friend is helping to pack up the stuff with my crazy list and locations of everything. Then, there are the friends and family that have called or texted. I truly appreciate my tribe and hope they know it. I just hope despite my limits, I am a helpful member of tribes for others too!

    I will try to do a video update once I get some results. Until then, please say a prayer that everything works itself out!

  • “B” is For Botox and Bladder: The Next Chapter!

    Almost three weeks ago I went for my first Botox injections series for my bladder. To catch you up the short story is after my hysterectomy in April of 2025, I lost the ability to fully empty by bladder by “normal” means. Sometimes it was ok and I could push out urine, other times it was completely impossible. So, I learned how to self-catherize using and in and out procedure each time. I do this 4-7 times a day depending on fluid intake. In addition, sometimes urgency is a major issue leading to leaks and messes.

    I am currently on two different medications to help as well: Gemtesa and Vesicare, both of which have helped tremendously, but I knew I was missing something else. In talking with my incredible Urologist at MUSC, he suggested Botox. I had used Botox in the past for headaches and didn’t have any adverse reactions so I thought this was a good idea.

    I had to wait for an appointment availability, but the time went quickly and soon enough my appointment happened. The process was done in the doctor’s office and the process was smooth but not the most comfortable. I will have a Telehealth appointment in a few weeks to follow up and then continue doing the injections every 5-6 months.

    Now for the positive… I was told it would take 2-4 weeks before I saw the results of the Botox injections, and right on cue, in the last couple of days I have seen great progress. I am now just waking up once per night and the urgency/leakage issues are almost non-existent! I am super happy thus far and the less than comfortable procedure was totally worth it for these results.

    I am so thankful for my honest, straight forward, and kind urologist a MUSC. He has helped me so much and his staff is wonderful. I am thankful for the nurse who took so much time to teach me how to self-cath and for his honesty that this could get better, but most likely not go away.

    I am tempted to place a “sorry for the graphic information” type thing, but also feel like this is my story. I can’t change what is happening to me, but only can change how I react. So, if you don’t like me talking about my bladder issues, I understand and more posts about dogs are coming! lol!

  • Paying the Price of a Fun Time: How Chronic Illness Always Wins!

    Chronic illness’ worst feature is that it ALWAYS shows up! Somedays you think you have outsmarted it and you got away with something, but payback stinks! I had a super busy and rewarding week. Besides my awesome PAALS visit, I had doctor’s appointments, tech classes, and some family/friends time. Now I am “paying” for it! I hate this.

    For the last 2 1/2-3 weeks I’ve been dealing with some nasty GI issues. I am not quite sure what is going on, but having trouble keeping food down after I eat, regardless of what I eat and dealing with some major abdominal pain. So far we know my platelets are low and my liver enzymes are super high and increasing. Additionally, my spleen is also enlarged. CT hasn’t shown any blockages or anything surgical, which is good since all my major disposable organs are gone!

    I have been working with an awesome, old school type GI doctor who has ordered a huge outpatient workup, but scheduling these tests in a timely manner has been difficult. Yesterday, I drew a line in the sand and decided something had to give. The pain was making me miserable.

    So, I am back at the hospital, trying to find some answers while they help manage the pain and nausea. I would be lying if if didn’t admit that I am nervous that this might go the direction I was going in several years ago, when I ended up with a PEG tube for feeding. That continues to be one of the hardest medical journeys I have taken. I just keep reminding myself that this is most likely something different and that is not the path we are on.

    I am thankful they admitted me this time. I need some answers and some relief. For now, I am resting and trying to get a hold of this stupid pain.

    I’ll be in touch with updates!