Susan's surgery at UCSF with Dr. Hu on 19 and 22 March, 2013

[PeggyS]

Hdslucky: I just want to tell you that Susan's posts helped me a great deal!
Susan: I appreciate your willingness to share details, find humor, encourage others and even let us know when you're frustrated!
Jackie: that's interesting about pain meds affecting urination, too. When I saw my family dr for a follow-up from rehab and brought up several concerns, he said everything was related to my constipation. I thought he was giving me non-answers, but now that I'm having less of a potty problem, I can admit he was right!
Ed: just wanted to chime in & say that I'm a former scuba diver. Considering that I get a lot of enjoyment from snorkeling & that doesn't cause me to feel like I've been run over by a semi the next day, I gave up diving about 10 years ago. I'm still proud of all the hard work I went through to earn my certification- I wanted to quit multiple times!

Susan, I'm glad you found enjoyment on your vacation!

[fifa]

Fifa, I was in the hospital recently for my 5th spine surgery. This is the first time I was told that while you are the strong pain meds it is hard to empty your bladder. Maybe pain meds are causing your problems.

Hi, there -

Thanks for your response. I've worked in a hospital forever, and I knew pain meds wrecked your bowels, but I had no idea it would slow the urinary stream down to little more than a dribble. I prefer a dribble to being incontinent, but I swear, it takes four to five minutes to empty a full bladder that is literally just aching to be released (you know the feeling of having to go so bad). I've had a couple of kidney/bladder infections, and it feels a little like that. I probably should just go get a UA and make sure, but I'm pretty sure you're right and it is the pain medicine plus not drinking enough. I'm drinking gallons and it still isn't enough, apparently. I'm going to post my bowel and other problems in my own thread so as not to hijack Susan's...if you get a chance to read it and/or weigh in, I would appreciate it.

Thanks again for your response. I hope your surgery went well and you are healing up with little pain. Please keep me posted on your recovery. I'll add you to my list of spinal brothers and sisters for whom I'm praying.

Sincerely,

I. P. Freely aka Fifa Sorry, it's an old joke and I couldn't resist. (big smiley)

[LindaRacine]

Hi, there -

Thanks for your response. I've worked in a hospital forever, and I knew pain meds wrecked your bowels, but I had no idea it would slow the urinary stream down to little more than a dribble. I prefer a dribble to being incontinent, but I swear, it takes four to five minutes to empty a full bladder that is literally just aching to be released (you know the feeling of having to go so bad). I've had a couple of kidney/bladder infections, and it feels a little like that. I probably should just go get a UA and make sure, but I'm pretty sure you're right and it is the pain medicine plus not drinking enough. I'm drinking gallons and it still isn't enough, apparently. I'm going to post my bowel and other problems in my own thread so as not to hijack Susan's...if you get a chance to read it and/or weigh in, I would appreciate it.

Thanks again for your response. I hope your surgery went well and you are healing up with little pain. Please keep me posted on your recovery. I'll add you to my list of spinal brothers and sisters for whom I'm praying.

Sincerely,

I. P. Freely aka Fifa Sorry, it's an old joke and I couldn't resist. (big smiley)

I think you should see someone about this.

[Pooka1]

Hi, there -

Thanks for your response. I've worked in a hospital forever, and I knew pain meds wrecked your bowels, but I had no idea it would slow the urinary stream down to little more than a dribble. I prefer a dribble to being incontinent, but I swear, it takes four to five minutes to empty a full bladder that is literally just aching to be released (you know the feeling of having to go so bad). I've had a couple of kidney/bladder infections, and it feels a little like that. I probably should just go get a UA and make sure, but I'm pretty sure you're right and it is the pain medicine plus not drinking enough. I'm drinking gallons and it still isn't enough, apparently. I'm going to post my bowel and other problems in my own thread so as not to hijack Susan's...if you get a chance to read it and/or weigh in, I would appreciate it.

Thanks again for your response. I hope your surgery went well and you are healing up with little pain. Please keep me posted on your recovery. I'll add you to my list of spinal brothers and sisters for whom I'm praying.

Sincerely,

I. P. Freely aka Fifa Sorry, it's an old joke and I couldn't resist. (big smiley)

Did you have trouble urinating in the hospital? When they removed the catheter, were you able to go on your own? Ask about bladder stretch injury.

I agree with Linda... you should be seen about this.

[susancook]

Hi everybody and Happy New Year! Thanks for the support.

FIFA: I.P. Freely.....that's why I wear Depends!

Ed: Great scuba in FIJI! I took my course from a hard hat diver in 1970 in the Philippines when I was in the Navy. Just 30 guys and me.....guess who the teacher asked to be his partner in buddy breathing? Those were the days when I weighed 128, 2 piece bathing suit.....you get the picture. The equipment now is fancy. I remember diving down to 100 feet and the water was still crystal clear! But, I do agree with you that 1 Bar is adequate for almost everything that you want to see...except if you want to chase sea snakes. Those were the days.....amazing that I made it to 68, huh?

So, I have an appointment for the InterStim insertion in 2 weeks. First there is a "trial" period and then if the incontinence is decreased, it is permanently implanted. It is hooked up to the S3 nerve.

On the back surgery "adventure", Dr. Hiratzka is unsure that the T6 [or maybe T5] screw will hold, so he is going to set up an appointment with Dr. Hart, me, and himself to discuss it. Oh, boy!

The injection from the pain management MD is starting to wear off in the thoracic area, but I am still somewhat comfortable. She saved me on my Mexico vacation.

I am seeing a new Physiatrist tomorrow that specializes in rehab for people with spinal cord injuries. I want to make sure that I am doing everything possible to get back into the mainstream of life.

I went out to lunch today with an old girlfriend that I ran into in the Skilled Nursing Facility during my "misadventure" last summer. She was visiting her mom w/ Alzheimer's in the SNF. GREAT to get out and do "normal" things. I still cannot drive. Bummed about that.

I hope to get my cherry red light weight wheelchair by the end of the month. How do you bling out a wheelchair? I will also start to use forearm crutches this week in PT. Hot Damn!

Susan

[fifa]

I think you should see someone about this.

Hi to both Linda and Pooka,

Yes, I agree with both of you. The ortho group at Barnes seems to care very little about these types of things and have referred me back to my local primary care physician. The urination has improved a bit now that I am drinking more water. I'm actually monitoring my intake now because you always think you're drinking and/or eating plenty, and that is not always true.

I'm pretty sure it is a a combination of things, and I do plan to see my PCP shortly. I have a list of complaints, the major one of which I believe has finally resolved itself, but I'm going to post that in my own "Fifa's Surgery" thread 'cause I certainly don't want to hijack Susan's thread. I've had kind of a lot of trouble with my bowels, and I was doing everything the ortho group told me to do, but it wasn't enough. Again, go to my thread if you have a strong stomach and don't mind semi-graphic descriptions. You all already know I came home from Barnes with an ileus which was obvious on the standing plain films they took of my spine right before discharge. I had to be admitted here locally and was hospitalized for three days before that finally resolved.

I'm editing to add this line - no, I had no trouble urinating in the hospital after they removed the catheter. That's why I think it is probably one of meds. I'm on several muscle relaxers, two anti-spasm meds, baclofen, and gabapentin, which were all added after i came home, plus a new pain med called Nucenta (Nucynta), but I haven't been taking that because I Googled and it scared me.

Since that time, I've had four (yes, four) separate bowel obstructions (some call them fecal impactions - take your choice if you're brave enough to Google). As of late last Thursday night or early Friday morning, I they've finally resolved.

I know there are other "poop" threads out there, but I'm posting absolutely everything that's happened to me in my own thread so I can send the link eventually to my surgeon's nurse, who I've been e-mailing a couple of times a week. While I am pleased so far with most of the results of my surgery, the bowels have been a HUGE problem. The bladder, while annoying as heck, is pretty far down on my priority list right now, but I agree, needs to be evaluated.

Here, you see a specialist for everything. So, that means a trip to the urologist, a trip to the gastroenterologist and probably at least a sigmoidoscopy if not a full-on colonoscopy, etc. Plus, my pain relief is not adequate, and I also plan to make an appointment with a pain specialist here in town. Right now, I'm so overwhelmed and exhausted, doing all of that sounds like more than I can bear at this point. Again, I agree with you both and am not just whining....I do intend to get this sorted out, but frankly, I've been too exhausted and "strung out" (i.e., insane) on pain meds that I can't make the smallest of decisions and have no energy to do anything.

Again, more in my own thread.

Susan, sorry for the hijack. I hope you're still in Mexico. It's cold as hell in Missouri and supposed to be colder tomorrow (three below for the high). I hope you are feeling better.

Thanks, ladies, for your input - I do appreciate it.

Fifa

[susancook]

FIFA: Feel free to talk about pee and poo on my thread. I'm knee deep sometimes in both....

Susan

No, unfortunately, my vacation had to end sometime. I am back in rainy Oregon/Washington.

[susancook]

Did UPS bring anyone my new crutches by mistake??????

An angry, frustrated woman in a wheelchair is not someone to irritate with a delay in new crutches. Just when I have learned to walk with them, I got excited about ordering them. Where the F... is the "man in brown" [note: a woman would have already delivered them]. The crutches are the forearm support ones. I ordered them in Cherry Red to match my new Cherry Red wheelchair. ;+]

Had my first appointment with my new Physiatrist [doctor that advises on rehab]. She came highly recommended and I was impressed. She wants me to increase my Baclofen. The stuff is sedating.....so, look for me at Starbucks buying triple lattes. She gives a lot of choices and lets the patient choose which ones she/he wants. She said that I "walk like someone with a spinal cord injury".....so, I need to work harder in rehab. She laughed when I told her that the diagnosis at OHSU after a week in the hospital was "functional". She verified many of my symptoms as normal for someone with a spinal cord injury. That was reassuring to me. She recommended that I think about getting one of those motorized scooters. I told her that I thought that riding a scooter was "going over to the dark side". She asked my husband if I am ever stubborn and Mark laughed. I told her that maybe I would get a motorcycle. Then, she laughed.

S.

[fifa]

FIFA: Feel free to talk about pee and poo on my thread. I'm knee deep sometimes in both....

Susan

No, unfortunately, my vacation had to end sometime. I am back in rainy Oregon/Washington.

Hi, Susan!

Well, dang - I had hoped it was an extended vacation....with plenty of sun and swimming. (smiley) I love that you travel and that you are still able to travel. I had a four-day weekend with a girlfriend and her daughter at Virginia Beach about four years ago, and that's the last vacation I had. So, I'm jealous of you and your adventures. (smiley) At this point postop (eight weeks), I can't imagine going anywhere. I spent about three hours at the hospital the day my dad had surgery, and I sat nearly the whole time (SO stupid!) and it nearly killed me. Spent the next day in bed.

Anyway, I'm glad you are safely back. I pray that you get better and better every day!

Hugs and love,
Fifa

[susancook]

FIFA, you are so sweet! I appreciate your warm thoughts and support.

My cherry red crutches arrived a couple of days ago. Of course, like a kid with new toys, I played with them for quite a while and finally almost fell because I was so tired trying to navigate the bathroom.

My new racing wheelchair is still backordered, but should come in the next 2 weeks. My old one is tired and I kind of wore it out in Mexico. I didn't tell the rep that I took it out of the country as that probably was part of the contract on "Wheelchair Care" that I neglected to read.

I continue to have PT 3 times a week and am glad that I am making progress, if ever so slowly. I am really stubborn and try everything and rarely rest. I am kind of possessed when it comes to therapy. I know that the 2 years after my spinal cord injury are the time for the greatest rehab. I am so afraid of missing any opportunity to get back my strength.

I hired a Companion to help me and relieve the burden off my husband for my care. My home is disorganized because I cannot put things up where they belong. I hope that she can help me 2-3 days a week, especially with warm water pool therapy.

I have surgery scheduled next week for my urinary incontinence. It is InterStim implantation done as an outpatient. Next week is the "trial"....here's hoping! Depends and Poise are getting really old. I want to be able to pass the sniff test and not worry about having the odor of urine. I have confidence in my urologist, but worry that I am the 1 in 100 that have whatever bad outcome. Think of me next Thursday. Can't believe that I also scheduled PT that day, hopefully before surgery if it is in the early afternoon. Maybe I should go to church instead in the morning.

Happy New Year to everyone!

Susan

[fifa]

FIFA: Feel free to talk about pee and poo on my thread. I'm knee deep sometimes in both....

Susan

No, unfortunately, my vacation had to end sometime. I am back in rainy Oregon/Washington.

Thanks, Susan. I just hate to hijack someone else's story is all. (smiley)

For you ladies who responded in this thread and probably other threads where I've mentioned my slow stream, the pee problems are solved. It was the 10 mg of Valium several times a day that was the culprit. Things are still not quite normal, but they are certainly close enough.

Feel better soon, Susan. Hope you post a picture of your wheelchair and crutches. (smiley) I ordered an aquamarine Hugo quad point cane to help me with my walking. It came today and is beautiful. I wouldn't say that I exactly needed it, but I'm not using the walker at all and need to get outside more. There is nothing to grab on to out there, which is how I'm walking now. Also, if I would fall, I could not get up unless I had something to pull up on. Hopefully, if I crash and burn outside, I can easily get up on one knee, I just need something to pull on to get up on the second knee, and then push up to a standing position. I hope the cane is the answer. It sure is snazzy and I love the color.

Take care, all of you, and big hugs to each of you!
Fifa

[PeggyS]

Susan - I love the idea of cherry red for your crutches & wheelchair! I think that just shows what a positive person you are!
Your new doctor sounds like she needs to be cloned: options AND choices - wow!
I'll be thinking of you on Thursday. Take care!

[Marianne]

Susan so nice to see you back on the forum, I have missed you. Glad you have your old spirit back. Red sounds wonderful for a wheel chair. It is one of my favorite colours, I hope you will post a picture of it as well.
You are a trooper doing PT 3 times a week.
I am sure hiring a companion will be a great help to you and give your husband a break also.
Wishing you all the best on Thursday and I will be thinking of you.

[susancook]

Peg and Marianne: Cherry Red racing wheelchair is due to be delivered and adjusted for me on Friday. I will try to post a picture.

Thanks for your and everyone's support. I have a MOHS procedure for superficial squamous cell cancer in my ear on Wednesday, Inter-Stim trial surgical procedure on Thursday. I am also dealing with the legal issues from my hospitalization this summer and the missed diagnosis of my spinal cord injury.

Some days peanuts, some days shells.

Susan

[susancook]

Cherry Red Wheelchair is so much easier to manage than the older model that I was issued.

I had the Inter-Stim procedure [trial] done last week and it really has worked! My incontinence has decreased phenomenally as well as my urinary urgency. I have the REAL installation done on Friday. .....and I just went to Costco and bought a HUGE box of Depends and Poise!

Susan, a rollin' along in my fancy red wheelchair