www.incontinentsupport.org

Surgery is bright and early tomorrow morning.
I think I'm ready. I'm definitely hopeful at the prospect of reduced pain. I've been living with chronic pain for too long and god I hope it works.
I'm not getting a home health aid. My doctor wants me to live as close as normal for the next few days. I can't shower but will at least be able to clean myself with a sponge and water.
Time to try to get some rest. I have to be up at 4am for my ride to be here at 5.

Good luck on your surgery, I hope it helps your pain.

Schoppy

Thanks schoppy. I couldn't sleep at all. I have to start showering and getting ready in like 45 minutes so no use trying to sleep now. Pretty frustrated about that. Hopefully I can get some rest when I get home

Good luck. May God go with you and bless you.

Surgery went well. I slept through most of it only being woken up to communicate how the stimulator felt then was put back under. There really is not much pain only discomfort where they attached the leads to my spinal cord. The stimulator is taped on my back and the leads go from there. My activities are pretty normal. I can't bend over and lift or twist. I can't shower only sponge baths. I'll know in the next day or two if the implant is effective. It takes a bit to get going.

I successfully changed my first diaper post surgery. It was much easier than I thought. Getting my pul pants and shorts back on was a trick but I did it! Washing up tomorrow will be interesting but I think I have an idea of how ill do it. I noticed a nurse mention to my doctor about me wearing a diaper. My doctor just said very matter of fact "yes he and I already discussed it. It's totally fine".
I didn't care for her at first because she was kind of brash. But she took real good care of me in surgery.

Help us understand how it feels to have this doohickey connected to your spine. As a potential option, it is a very useful data point. Keep us updated on all this as you recover please.

_________________
- Tom

Great you have had it done. Don't worry if it doesn't seem to be working. I felt no difference for the first few days so went back to the hospital and they changed the settings etc and as quickly as in the car going home I knew it was working. By the time I got home my pain was almost gone. Good luck.

Hi wetdad. The actual stimulator is taped to my back. I only really feel it when I'm sitting back. It's a bit awkward but doesn't hurt or anything. I'm able to make food and what not. So far I'm not feeling anything but I've been told that is normal.


4wheeldave - that's good to know. My implant specialist told me the same thing. I really hope this works.

Justj, are you in the trial phase for the stimulator? I mean the stage where the electrodes are implanted but the stimulator itself has not yet been implanted?

--John

John - yea I am. I got the leads implanted on Thursday and they will be taken out and we will assess if I want the permanent one Monday.