Fiercely Independent Pam

Category: Updates

  • Next Steps For a Giant Kidney Stone: A Lesson in Bravery!

    Well, I did one of the bravest medical things I have done- I pulled the rest of the stent for my kidney stone out. I was so frightened that something was going to happen but I feel so much better. I was able to make an appointment with urology for tomorrow to consult about next steps.

    I unfortunately had to switch doctors to make it work, but I was able to get an appointment tomorrow to figure out next steps for the kidney stone which means I am able to take the bus and my power wheelchair, which is crucial right now.

    I will hopefully find out tomorrow how they are going to treat the kidney stone, I’ve been told they are going to set something up to “blast” the stone apart.

    I joke on a regular basis that “They are going to make a nurse out of me yet!” Pulling out the stent is a great example of this. I hope my appointment goes well tomorrow and we can move forward from this stupid kidney stone.

  • Who’s Afraid of a Kidney Stone or It’s Stent?

    Somedays I think I am living in a comedy. How else can all these things happen but to make someone happy. In January, when I went to the hospital, it was found that I had a fairly large kidney stone. They placed a stent and honestly, I didn’t care too much about it except that I was going to have to have follow up care to “blast” the stone at some point.

    Follow up care is delayed because of appointment scheduling and my ability to walk. This whole time since the beginning of January, I haven’t needed to even think about the stone or the treatment.

    Fast forward to earlier this week, I was having symptoms that I thought were coming from a UTI. Now it all makes sense and the burning is coming from the stent that is mostly fallen out. I noticed something that was out of place last night and then it has increasingly come out.

    The urologist on call is going to call me back once she checks my chart, but told me I can remove the rest of the stent myself, as that might help the pain and irritation. I have to admit, I am a little scared to remove the stent, but I will try. I gotta believe it will help with the symptoms.

    How is it that I can’t just function “normally?” Why must something always be an issue. I am finally getting strong enough to stand on my own and I even snuck in a pivot from the wheelchair to my arm chair unassisted, but that isn’t enough, I have to have issues with the kidney stone and stent. Its exhausting.

  • The Name of the Game is to Stand at Many Different Heights and Gain Some Strength Too!

    Today was my last therapy session for the week. I worked with the OT assistant, who is wonderful. She and I figured out the best thing to do is stand up several times with one of them consisting of walking to the scale and getting a measurement.

    Each time I went to stand, I lowered my lift chair to make it harder. We have a goal of getting it lower than the toilet so that is not a problem either. Eventually it needs to be pretty low so I can get in and out of cars.

    My goal is to be using my Zeen at least part time by then end of next week. I know if I start using it, my legs will get stronger making my efforts to stand so much easier. It is just a matter of standing long enough to get in the Zeen.

    This weekend will once again focus on whatever I can do to help my legs and arms get stronger to make my efforts to stand easier. I know these extra exercises are making a difference. I will continue to complete the various exercises, especially any that involve lifting my botom

    I really want to be able to not only use the Zeen, but also start using the toilet again. That would be a huge movement towards independence. I don’t even want to try the toilet until I know I can be successful and because it is so hard to stand off the toilet and so embarrassing if I can’t.