Fiercely Independent Pam

Tag: urologist

  • The Trouble- Making Bladder

    Before my hysterectomy last April, I only had one episode of bladder (uti infections) issues. Now, it’s a full time job. Yesterday, I went to MUSC in Charleston to see my urologist who is great! He put me on a 7 step plan for straightening everything out.

    The most important step is to self-catherize more often. This means I have to give up the lift on my toilet and struggle to get up from it. For now, I am keeping the same catheters but if this plan fails, then I will start using a closed system that prevents infections better.

    I am also starting an estrogen cream to prevent future infections. I was told when I asked, that I shouldn’t have any symptoms from using the cream. I am all for not being on daily antibiotics!

    I was also strongly encouraged to do the Botox treatments. I hesitated last time I was scheduled mainly because I didn’t think my condition was “bad”enough. I have learned that it certainly is and the Botox will make a big difference. I am never one who is scared by needles or procedures, but the idea of 60+ injections into my bladder with only local anesthesia, doesn’t thrill me!

    I also have to go for a ct scan to accomplish two things. The first is to confirm that the kidney stone is truly gone. The second is to ensure nothing else is going on, especially with my bladder. Luckily, I can do the scan here in Myrtle Beach and I don’t have to go back to Charleston for it!

    See, a full-time job I tell you! When I am not going to an appointment, I am dealing with the various medications and/or catheters. Wish me luck!

  • Setting a Goal and Striving to Meet It, and More!

    I am headed out this afternoon to the urologist to figure out next steps for my kidney stone. I am hoping the whole process of “blasting” the stone is fairly easy and able to be done soon. After all, the kidney stone is simply getting in the way of my PT and OT goals.

    In other news… I met my goal this morning with PT. I was able to stand while sitting in my armchair at a normal height. That means I didn’t use the lift function at all. It wasn’t the prettiest, but I did it! I also took a few strolls around my apartment with the walker and got a new weight measurement. All in all, I count that as a huge win.

    OT is coming by very soon and I am hoping we can start working on the goal of using the toilet. It would be a huge improvement if I was able to use the toilet instead of the bedpan. Having stood at a normal height, I think I am almost ready for the toilet.

    I am not a big fan of having PT and OT back to back since my body gets tired quickly, but I also don’t want to turn away services so I went with the back to back today. After all, I have goals to meet.

    Tomorrow during PT we are going to try the Zeen. I think the hardest part will be transferring into the Zeen and out of the Zeen. I think I am going to have to do a lot of thinking to come up with a plan to make it work. If I can get into the Zeen, it will go a long way to strengthening my legs. I would love to try to make it into the hallway. This is all lofty goals, but I have to put it out there to try to make it happen.

    The ultimate goal is to be able to use the Zeen and transfer with it when I go to MUSC on March 17th. I have an important eye appointment and need to figure out the Zeen, getting in and out of a car, and transferring from the Zeen to other chairs. It’s a big list of tasks, but I am determined and like to be fierce about deadlines like this.