Fiercely Independent Pam

Tag: MUSC

  • “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!

  • Welcome June… I’ve Been Waiting For You; Good Things Ahead!

    Welcome June… I’ve Been Waiting For You; Good Things Ahead!

    So, it’s finally June. Not that I wanted to rush my birthday month, but there is a lot going on for me in June. Medical appointments, progress on the service dog front, exciting visitors, and hopefully some time at the beach!

    Tomorrow is my first adventure for June. I am headed south to Charleston for an important appointment at MUSC. I will be receiving Botox injections in my bladder to help combat the symptoms I’ve been having. If all goes well, I will continue to get this every couple of months. While I am not looking forward to the procedure itself, I am looking forward to its results. I have heard good things from other’s that have gone down this path. Plus a road trip with my niece is always a fun adventure! I’m looking forward to catching up with her and all of her happenings.

    Next, is BIG! June 10th is a HUGE next step forward with PAALS and the process of getting a service dog. I will welcome the PAALS team (with dog in tow) to my community and apartment. They will be discovering what I need to do to get my space ready for a wet nosed, lovable, smart dog. The team and I will also be doing a community visit; we will be exploring my local grocery store while I interact with the service dog in training that will becoming to visit. After these visits, I am hoping to get my official client letter from PAALS, which will allow me to begin my fundraising and planning. Please send extra good thoughts and prayers my way for this event!

    By mid June, I will be looking forward to welcoming my dear friend and her fiancé. I am excited to spend time with both of them and hopefully get some incredible beach time in. Our only plans are to enjoy each other’s company, get tan, and enjoy the ocean breeze! There is nothing better than being able to simply pickup where you last saw a good friend(in this case its been over 5 years) and enjoy each other’s company.

    Today, in honor of all this coming, I am wearing a new t-shirt that I found- Not only is it featuring the Fraggles from Fraggle Rock, it reads- Powered by Positivity! I absolutely love it!

    There will be more doctor appointments, warm days, and exciting adventures but these are definitely the highlights I am looking forward to!

  • Here We Go Again: If Only My Body Behaved Itself!

    So, this week was already filled with surgery, appointments, infusions, then I landed in the ER followed by an admission to the hospital! All in the exciting life and times of my body.

    Bright and early Monday morning, I was down at my home away from home, MUSC for a fistula gram. All went well, I got a good nap thanks to anesthesia and the fistula was “ballooned out” and back in working order. I may need follow up work on it, but for now its already looking better.

    All was going ok, but Tuesday brought a slew of issues later in the day. I was just feeling “off” I hate when I say that because I know it’s not really helpful. I often say things like “Something just isn’t right.” Nine out of ten times, something pops later on and it all makes sense. My vision was funky in my left eye and I had a top 10% headache. By 8 o’clock at night, I knew I better go get checked out. So to the ER I went!

    Then of course I heard the bad news that I was assigned a “hall bed”- the worse place to be with a tough headache and light sensitivity, but in the end is was worth it because the doctors admitted me right away and I landed in a room upstairs with little fanfare.

    Things went well, the neurologist was in bright and early and made some medication changes to see if they would help. I also was finally able to get some relief from the headaches. I did however start to notice that my blood pressure was quickly creeping up to a place I wasn’t comfortable with. When I asked the nurse, she dismissed it as anxiety- multiple times. I hate that! When I am anxious, I am aware and will say that I’m anxious, but when I am not and my blood pressure is increasing, please help me! So, by midnight, my blood pressure was in the 200/100’s and they finally treated it!

    Why can healthcare providers decide that they know what is going on more than a patient? I trust providers, but I also need them to trust me and my experiences. Either way I am just glad I made it home today, and despite needing to make follow up appointments, I can get back to living my life again!

    A picture of my raised flower bed with a bright red amaryllis blooming and other plants.
    A picture of my awesome raised flower bed!