Fiercely Independent Pam

Tag: Don’t Let the Hard Days Win!

  • An Adventure With My Zeen…And An Appointment Update!

    I don’t often say that a doctor’s appointment is “fun”, but yesterday’s visit back to Charleston to see the wizard (the dysautonomia specialist) was a blast. I knew that in the back of my mind was always the desire to bring my Zeen with me since he was so supportive about getting a Zeen.

    Since I have been working so hard, I successfully brought my Zeen with me to Charleston. With some help from my niece to load it in and out of the car. Using the Zeen in new places was quite the adventure. I successfully navigated the bathroom, elevator, parking garage and more! I even had a couple stop me on our way out to ask how I liked the Zeen as they did a virtual appointment with Zeen to help them determine if it would be right for them.

    While I was with the Wizard, he rounded up the residents and medical students in the neurology clinic and then had me “show off.” I had so much fun talking with them about the difference the Zeen has made in my life in the last month.

    I, of course took notice of the small differences. I enjoyed being able to see the person at sign in and sign out instead of staring at the wall like I do in my wheelchair. Also, I can make it go low and be eye to eye with people sitting down. Its nice to not stare at belly buttons all day.

    I’m not quite sure where I would be on my rehab journey without my Zeen, but I am sure glad that I have it!

    As far as the appointment went, I was given the green light to use the Droxidopia as needed based on my blood pressure in the morning. My goal is to get to 45 minutes of standing exercise, using a combination of seated and standing exercises to train for that goal. He released me for 6 months, but he reiterated that he is always available via messages on MyChart.

  • Trials and Tribulations of My Bladder- The Latest Chapter!

    My bladder is quite obnoxious! After my hysterectomy last April, I struggled to urinate. I was told that it was a “Floppy Bladder” and would not be able to fully empty without the assistance of a catheter.

    So, I learned how to self- cath and actually got quite good at it. Fast forward to January when I was hospitalized for numerous things including a very large kidney stone, a UTI, and a picc line infection. When I got home I required the use of a bedpan and slowly relied less on self- cathing. I thought my bladder was finally waking up and I would be cured.

    The fun only lasted a few weeks because I began retaining urine again and having to cath to be able to fully empty my bladder. In the last 24 hours, I am completing a voiding diary where I chart all this liquid I take in, and everything I am able to get out via urinating or self- cathing. I will then send the voiding diary to my doctor and we will meet to talk about it.

    The biggest challenge right now is that I require a riser on my toilet so that I am able to stand up from the toilet. This riser greatly diminishes the room I would have to self- cath and isn’t really possible over the toilet. I tried to get up from the toilet without the riser and it wasn’t possible, yet!

    I am curious about what the next steps are for my obnoxious bladder that gave me false hope. Until I meet with the doctor, I will continue to brainstorm solutions and rise to meet these challenges!

  • Accomplishments All Around: What a Difference a Week Makes!

    Today was a BIG day! I accomplished big things today and feel confident that I will meet my other goals. First off, I successfully navigated using the toilet for the first time since mid January. Secondly, I managed a big walk with the Zeen.

    The combination of the toilet seat riser, extra walker, and my strength, allowed me to successfully get on and off the toilet and take care of business. This is a huge accomplishment.

    After a good nap, I decided to take my Zeen out for a stroll. I made it to the front desk of the building and back. I needed to stop and relax a few times, but it was a successful walk. I have set a goal to make it around the building (1/4 mile) by Easter with the Zeen. I am feeling much more confident in the controls of the Zeen as well.

    I am finally feeling like I am going to be able to make it to doctor’s appointments and getting in a car. If the improvement I’ve made this week is any indication of things to come, I will be in good shape when I need to travel to MUSC.

    I am feeling very fortunate and glad that I am achieving my goals, I have and am working hard and seeing growth is always a good thing.