I’M JUST CURIOUS: Another adventure: chapter 2

by Debbie Walker

Last week I started telling you about my urinary adventure. As I told you it can affect men and women. All I know about the men is they are generally whinier than women (we know that, right, girls?). When you read these adventures, please know that I am only talking about my experience and you would have to research for your own situation with your doctor.

I went to a urologist to find an answer to my embarrassing subject. We did the questions and answers. I was scheduled to have some sort of urinary test. It would tell what kind of treatment would work the best for me. Did it.

Next was another office visit to discuss the route best suited to me. We decided that would be the Medtronic Bladder Control Therapy delivered by the InterStim System. (That’s a mouthful.)

Last week I had a procedure that is considered a test to see if a permanent placement was possible, would work for me. It involves wires and batteries! I tell everyone I am the Energizer Bunny. The doctor numbs an area just higher than the butt cheek on both sides and inserts two wires into the bladder. They hook the wires to a small battery pack that is taped to that side. In my case it was decided the left side would work.

After they complete the procedure, the instructions were given to me. I had to keep a diary of the effectiveness of this system. It was a way for the urologist to see just how well the system worked for me. A home nurse was sent to me for a visit for a few days. She looked over the diary, checks the wiring is staying in place and answers any questions I had.

When I went back into the office it was decided that “Yes, indeed, it worked”. So, the doctor scheduled my permanent placement for this past week. Yehaw! I was ready.

We basically started out like the test procedure, but it gets a little more involved since they are now implanting the wires and a small battery pack. This required me to be put to sleep for a little bit. It was an early morning surgery, so I was ready for a nap.

When I woke, I was observed a little longer and then allowed to get dressed. Once finished with that I met with a representative of the Medtronic company who again walked me through the process and follow-up. Then I was released for home. Once home I napped until the home nurse showed up again.

The reason there is so much repetition of the information is you are learning how to control the remote control. There are possibly some small changes you will want to make to the process. It will all be explained to you. If you are familiar with the Tends unit, you could compare the two.

Everyone was so much help, so kind and considerate. And it has been an interesting adventure. Find some things that you enjoy doing that don’t involve lifting, bending, twisting, stretching or any sexual activity until told you can resume. And I must tell you it has all been worth it.

I am curious how many others have kept their secret. Contact me with questions or comments at DebbieWalker@townline.org, or call The Town Line and leave a message for me to call you. Have a wonderful week and thanks so much for reading.