The Pad Diaries
Comments
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June 29, 2010.
I got a call
June 29, 2010.
I got a call this morning before noon from the CC (continency Center). the recommendation from them is that I step up the electrical stimulation to twice a week. So I have an add-on appointment tomorrow afternoon.
A small probe is inserted into the rectum and then there are intermittent electrical impluses that that are suppose to reactivate the sphincter muscles- the ones the kegels are supoose to strengthen.
I am still doing the self cath every day and now I have to chart input and output. I get so much more than the average PC patient. I am so lucky!0 -
TREWTrew said:June 29, 2010.
I got a call
June 29, 2010.
I got a call this morning before noon from the CC (continency Center). the recommendation from them is that I step up the electrical stimulation to twice a week. So I have an add-on appointment tomorrow afternoon.
A small probe is inserted into the rectum and then there are intermittent electrical impluses that that are suppose to reactivate the sphincter muscles- the ones the kegels are supoose to strengthen.
I am still doing the self cath every day and now I have to chart input and output. I get so much more than the average PC patient. I am so lucky!
SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR CONTINUING BATTLE WITH INCONTINENCE BUT YOUR CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS HAS BROUGHT A SMILE TO MY FACE ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THOUGH THE DISEASE WE ALL HAVE BEEN BATTLING IS SERIOUS BUSINESS, THE WAY YOU DESCRIBE YOUR JOURNEY IS AN INSPIRATION FOR ME. SOMETIMES WHEN I AM FEELING DOWN ALL I HAVE TO DO IS READ SOME OF YOUR ELOQUENT POSTS AND IT SNAPS ME RIGHT OUT OF IT ! HANG IN THERE--HOPEFULLY, THIS LATEST TREATMENT YOU ARE RECEIVING WILL HAVE POSITIVE RESULTS----I'M ROOTING FOR YOU--- ALOHA-DAN0 -
Kind words AppreciatedBRONX52 said:TREW
SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR CONTINUING BATTLE WITH INCONTINENCE BUT YOUR CREATIVE WRITING SKILLS HAS BROUGHT A SMILE TO MY FACE ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THOUGH THE DISEASE WE ALL HAVE BEEN BATTLING IS SERIOUS BUSINESS, THE WAY YOU DESCRIBE YOUR JOURNEY IS AN INSPIRATION FOR ME. SOMETIMES WHEN I AM FEELING DOWN ALL I HAVE TO DO IS READ SOME OF YOUR ELOQUENT POSTS AND IT SNAPS ME RIGHT OUT OF IT ! HANG IN THERE--HOPEFULLY, THIS LATEST TREATMENT YOU ARE RECEIVING WILL HAVE POSITIVE RESULTS----I'M ROOTING FOR YOU--- ALOHA-DAN
Bronx, thanks for your kind words!
All I can add to my last post is that the probe in the rectum really gives me a buzz. I'm looking into whether I can find one for home use.
Today when she turns on the probe I'm going to hold my teeth slightly apart to see if I can get a spark to jump between them.
You can expect further reviews on this procedure- you can be certain of that!0 -
TrewTrew said:Kind words Appreciated
Bronx, thanks for your kind words!
All I can add to my last post is that the probe in the rectum really gives me a buzz. I'm looking into whether I can find one for home use.
Today when she turns on the probe I'm going to hold my teeth slightly apart to see if I can get a spark to jump between them.
You can expect further reviews on this procedure- you can be certain of that!
It's painfully obvious you need to write a manual about prostate cancer to share with the world. As Bronx states you are an insperation to all of us with the humor that you attack this beast with. I can see a full book covering all aspects of PCa with many chapters. You may become quite wealthy on the book writing circut.
Randy in Indy0 -
Yes! You can!Trew said:Kind words Appreciated
Bronx, thanks for your kind words!
All I can add to my last post is that the probe in the rectum really gives me a buzz. I'm looking into whether I can find one for home use.
Today when she turns on the probe I'm going to hold my teeth slightly apart to see if I can get a spark to jump between them.
You can expect further reviews on this procedure- you can be certain of that!
I WAS SHOCKED!! literally, to find out you can get a home version of the Electrical Stymulus machine. If u ever run out of things to do- you just got to try this up the recturm!! It will jar your memory and you will think of other things you could be doing.
And in case anyone is wondring, I could not get electricity to jump between my teeth during the procedure. I tried. And this is the topper- since I am such a good cnadidate for this kind of stimulation- She can get me in twice a week!! Imagine that.
I am just blessed!
I do not understand why no one has got be trying da pump yet? Or the shots? Or standing onthe edge of a very high cliff to see if that doesn't shock things back to normal?
Oh. I did not mean to use the word shock there. Really. I now understand the work shock means something else.
Oh, an after thought- after the hormine shots- that nasty nasty eligard stuff- I don't think there is a pump small enough to fit me.
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I laughed so hardTrew said:Yes! You can!
I WAS SHOCKED!! literally, to find out you can get a home version of the Electrical Stymulus machine. If u ever run out of things to do- you just got to try this up the recturm!! It will jar your memory and you will think of other things you could be doing.
And in case anyone is wondring, I could not get electricity to jump between my teeth during the procedure. I tried. And this is the topper- since I am such a good cnadidate for this kind of stimulation- She can get me in twice a week!! Imagine that.
I am just blessed!
I do not understand why no one has got be trying da pump yet? Or the shots? Or standing onthe edge of a very high cliff to see if that doesn't shock things back to normal?
Oh. I did not mean to use the word shock there. Really. I now understand the work shock means something else.
Oh, an after thought- after the hormine shots- that nasty nasty eligard stuff- I don't think there is a pump small enough to fit me.
I leaked!!!0 -
HilariousTrew said:Yes! You can!
I WAS SHOCKED!! literally, to find out you can get a home version of the Electrical Stymulus machine. If u ever run out of things to do- you just got to try this up the recturm!! It will jar your memory and you will think of other things you could be doing.
And in case anyone is wondring, I could not get electricity to jump between my teeth during the procedure. I tried. And this is the topper- since I am such a good cnadidate for this kind of stimulation- She can get me in twice a week!! Imagine that.
I am just blessed!
I do not understand why no one has got be trying da pump yet? Or the shots? Or standing onthe edge of a very high cliff to see if that doesn't shock things back to normal?
Oh. I did not mean to use the word shock there. Really. I now understand the work shock means something else.
Oh, an after thought- after the hormine shots- that nasty nasty eligard stuff- I don't think there is a pump small enough to fit me.
You keep me laughing. How do you do it?0 -
Checking in . . .ejn said:Hilarious
You keep me laughing. How do you do it?
Hi, Trew. I don't have anything useful to say or recommend; just wanted to tune in so see how things are coming along and to remind you that I'm still amongst your crowd of supporters. John in Seattle0 -
padsfathersson said:Hang in the bros
Good luck with that.. as for me, slow improvementafter surgery almost 3 weeks ago.. 1-2 pads a day.
i am not lokking forward to the pads, do we start off with adult diapers or just pads. man that will be the hardest thing for me. see ya griff0 -
i don't have anything usefulmuttsrule said:Checking in . . .
Hi, Trew. I don't have anything useful to say or recommend; just wanted to tune in so see how things are coming along and to remind you that I'm still amongst your crowd of supporters. John in Seattle
i don't have anything useful to say either. I left it all in the uro's office.0 -
Start with pads. And thengriff 1 said:pads
i am not lokking forward to the pads, do we start off with adult diapers or just pads. man that will be the hardest thing for me. see ya griff
Start with pads. And then see how conditions are. When the cath is pulled be sure you have some extra with you. Many uros think they are perfect surgeons and honestly seem surprised when you are leaking that first day. My cath was pulled by a nurse and then Dr. Masnhi- my uro back then, looks at me running like a facet, and says- do your kegels. I said, "I AM, I AM." Then he says to me, "You must not be doing them right." it was one of many insensitive things said to me along the way by that doctor or his PA. Now there is a sure sign you have the wrong doctor.0 -
July 3, 2010 almost 4 pm in
July 3, 2010
almost 4 pm in the afternoon.
I have had three sessions with the CC tech- very nice lady. I told her she should consider what she is doing as a career.
But after three sessions of having my pelvic floor muscles exercised with electric stimulation I see no progress today. I am now on my 7th pad for the day. I changed at:
7:30 am
9:10
10: 30
12: 30 pm
1: 40
3: 40
These sessions aren't cheap, either. I guess i'm just a little washed out today. This is so discouraging. I see the uro on Friday- I need to discuss a date for getting an AUS installed. The time as come.
I think I will just pucker up my courage and get through another day of this, but some days it is just plain hard going.
RE kegels:
I have been instructed not to use the stop and go technique- it just confuses the bladder. The holding gas exercise is better than holding urine exercise because the gas exercise involves more muscles and has a bigger impact on control. Fatique is a big factor to consider- to many kegels is worse than too few, I guess. hooked up to the monitor I have very good kegels, but they just don't have any effect on my control. I am becoming more and more seditary as any kind of movement increases the drip.
So it goes..... or leaks, or whatever.
I am so not into this any more. I keep looking for the eject button but just can't seem to find it anywhere. There is no way out..... except surgery.
RE Eligard. I got my last 6 month shot counting back 6 months from April 20. this is 2 months after the last shot expired and I can still feel a small bb side ball from the last injection in my belly so the stuff is still working on me. I swear, there is coming a day when I am going to confuse my belly button with another part of me since they both seem to be going in the same direction.0 -
This Entry is About Hope
Monday Morning, July 5
Electricial stimulation treatment on Friday afternoon.
Saturday I used 10 pads between 7:30 am and 12: 30 am when I went to bed on a full dose of Xanax- absolutely overwhelmed with the days drippings. It was a real crash and burn type day.
Sunday- I have canceled an invitation to join friends at a lake for a 4th picnic- not a chance I'm going anywhere after Saturday. But ended up only using 7 pads for the day- not as bad, hummmm.... am I improving?
Monday- woke up near dry- left the depends on until 10:15 and then changed. Changed again at 12: 15. So I am only on my 3rd pad of the day right now. I'm doing my kegels as the CC tech instructed- and I am hopeful, just maybe.........
Just maybe.0 -
drippingJR1949 said:Dripping a LOT more too
So far today I have had to change pads on the average every 2 hours and sometimes the diaper too due to leakage on the sides. I even set the alarm so I would wake up last night and not leak on the bed. I am sleeping with a pee pad from my grandchildrens days sleeping here. Only good thing is that I am now able to pee sometimes when I go to bathroom. Before the scope and procedure I was averaging 3-4 pads per day and usually one diaper per day. My Uro suggested scoping and removal of any scar tissue because I was not emptying my bladder. Like you said what will "they" do to me next?
Of course doc told my wife after procedure that he thought this might help, did not know how much. Perhaps after the area of my uretha he lasered heals I will have some control of my bladder. Plan to call uro's office and ask what I should do, what I should expect.
i go to get the cath out tommorrow and then to pads only i hope for me, i don,t like the idea od diapers. oh well what is is. griff0 -
HopeTrew said:This Entry is About Hope
Monday Morning, July 5
Electricial stimulation treatment on Friday afternoon.
Saturday I used 10 pads between 7:30 am and 12: 30 am when I went to bed on a full dose of Xanax- absolutely overwhelmed with the days drippings. It was a real crash and burn type day.
Sunday- I have canceled an invitation to join friends at a lake for a 4th picnic- not a chance I'm going anywhere after Saturday. But ended up only using 7 pads for the day- not as bad, hummmm.... am I improving?
Monday- woke up near dry- left the depends on until 10:15 and then changed. Changed again at 12: 15. So I am only on my 3rd pad of the day right now. I'm doing my kegels as the CC tech instructed- and I am hopeful, just maybe.........
Just maybe.
I was on vacation last week with my wife and have not been online since Friday, 6-27-10.
I am so glad to hear that hope is on the horizon....just keep hanging in there!!
I agree about your sense of humor, it is a joy for me to read your postings on this bulletin board. Keep us posted.
You are in my prayers and thoughts.0 -
It's Like Pickin The Banjofathersson said:Hang in the bros
Good luck with that.. as for me, slow improvementafter surgery almost 3 weeks ago.. 1-2 pads a day.
Fathersson,
We have two things in common....PC and the 5-string. Both get better with time. By now I hope you are pad and pain free. All the best.0 -
Diapers?Trew said:This Entry is About Hope
Monday Morning, July 5
Electricial stimulation treatment on Friday afternoon.
Saturday I used 10 pads between 7:30 am and 12: 30 am when I went to bed on a full dose of Xanax- absolutely overwhelmed with the days drippings. It was a real crash and burn type day.
Sunday- I have canceled an invitation to join friends at a lake for a 4th picnic- not a chance I'm going anywhere after Saturday. But ended up only using 7 pads for the day- not as bad, hummmm.... am I improving?
Monday- woke up near dry- left the depends on until 10:15 and then changed. Changed again at 12: 15. So I am only on my 3rd pad of the day right now. I'm doing my kegels as the CC tech instructed- and I am hopeful, just maybe.........
Just maybe.
Hi, Trew. Persevere! I'll ask: you keep mentioning multi-pads. Is a Depends diaper more useful--does it last longer than a pad? Do you trade in the demoralization of changing pads all day with the demoralization of wearing a diaper--is one less depressing than the other? Forgive me if I get too personal here. John in Seattle0 -
It All Dependsmuttsrule said:Diapers?
Hi, Trew. Persevere! I'll ask: you keep mentioning multi-pads. Is a Depends diaper more useful--does it last longer than a pad? Do you trade in the demoralization of changing pads all day with the demoralization of wearing a diaper--is one less depressing than the other? Forgive me if I get too personal here. John in Seattle
Diary Entry for Tuesday, July 6, 2010
It is becoming apparent to me that others are reading my diary.
After crash and burn Saturday with ten pads, Sunday and Mon and today have settled down a bit. I am now on my 7th pad and should wear my 8th to bed- same for 3 days now. I am usually dry in the night but I get up now from 1 (rare) to 2- 5 times a night to urinate. If I shake off an urge and just go back to sleep I will most likely wet in my sleep. so the depends is my security blanket. I liked the old one when I was 2 much better.
I am a Tena man, myself. Just saying that almost makes me cry. i just give God thanks this didn't happen to me in grade school- those kids could be rough.
When I am going to have a stressful appointment I will wear a depends with a Tena pad inside. that way I have some added protection just in case urine gets past the Tena. that does happen sometimes. Most embarassing. And changing a Depends in a public rest room is also embarassing so I prefer reg underpants with the Tena inside and just carry a lot of extras with me. I have Tenas in my pockets, glove compartment in the car, my brief case, coat pocket, you get the idea. I am a haunted man wo sees and hears nothing but leaks where there shouldn't be any leaks.
I have tried a number of different pads- I just like the feel of the tena best. Its almost like being in plain underwear again which I have not done since surgery on March 23, 2009. My that was a lifetime ago.
There are times I just hate bringing this stuff up, especially when I htink of life before PC. How I miss that life. Well, that is all I can write for now. I am having an emotional minute.0 -
Pants & padsgriff 1 said:dripping
i go to get the cath out tommorrow and then to pads only i hope for me, i don,t like the idea od diapers. oh well what is is. griff
You can get the latest variety of Depends now in packs of 6 - if you are optimistic.
I used the pant, with a pad inside. Change the pad as needed dring the day. The pant gives you a backup if you flow instead of leak. I was 1 pant + 7/8 pads a day for the first couple of months. Down to 2-3 pads a day now (8 months out).0 -
padsTrew said:Start with pads. And then
Start with pads. And then see how conditions are. When the cath is pulled be sure you have some extra with you. Many uros think they are perfect surgeons and honestly seem surprised when you are leaking that first day. My cath was pulled by a nurse and then Dr. Masnhi- my uro back then, looks at me running like a facet, and says- do your kegels. I said, "I AM, I AM." Then he says to me, "You must not be doing them right." it was one of many insensitive things said to me along the way by that doctor or his PA. Now there is a sure sign you have the wrong doctor.
not to bad today, i am on my 4th one so that is good. yesterday i thought i would be using 20 or more. anyway good luck. griff0
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