Tweet
Hello all! I have just returned home from my first stage interstim surgery. I got there around 10:30 this morning, and they were running behind, but of course that was apparently a closely guarded secret. So, they took me back, I changed clothes and sat in the little recliner with the warm blankets. And I sat, and I sat, and I sat some more! Finally, the anesthesiologist came in and talked to me and left. Then, a while later, the nurse came in and went over everything and then got my IV started. My family was then FINALLY able to come back and sit with me, and I was able to go pee. I held it all that time because I kept thinking, "Someone will be here soon."
Anyway, a few minutes later Dr. Evans came by and said he was almost ready and we would be rolling soon! After that, the nurse anesthetist came in and got me (after I peed one more time!). We walked back to the OR and I laid face up on a table, and right beside it was the "face down" table (I could tell by the pillows and how it was set up). They piled on the warm blankets and right away they gave me something for pain ( I wasn't able to take my pain meds this morning). They hooked me up to the blood pressure cuff and the pulse meter thing and the oxygen mask. One nurse said she was going to cath me, and she looked really apologetic, but I said, "Don't worry, I have to do it every day." Then the nurse put the "good stuff" into my IV. I didn't really feel anything. I was just looking around the ceiling waiting for a groggy feeling to kick in and waiting for my cath.
Well, next thing I knew, I was in the recovery room! I remember waking up and for some reason, the first thing I did was feel "down there" to see if I was still cathed, which I was. I wasn't groggy for very long, maybe 5-10 minutes. The nurse came to check on me and Paul, the Medtronics rep came in. He hooked up two wire leads (one at a time) to me and did different things with the generator and asked where and how much I felt it. He left, and I heard him outside the room explaining the generator to my husband, then he came in to explain it to me. I wear it for five days on one lead, then five days on the other, and that will carry me through to my post-op appointment. He also wrote his name and cell number on the generator itself in case I need him.
Just a couple minutes later, the nurse took out my cath and walked me to the second recovery area, back to a little recliner. Waiting for me was some cold gingerale and a packet of graham crackers. I finished them both off in a matter of moments, with no nausea whatsoever. The nurse came back, and I asked to pee. I had an urge to go!!!
I went to the bathroom, and I kid you not, this first time I peed, I DID NOT have to push to finish off my void. I also did not have any post-void urgency as I normally do. But, I tried not to get too excited. We went back to my recliner and she gave me some pain meds in my IV, as my back was burning really bad on each outer edge, due to the incisions, I'm sure. Within a few minutes, the burning lessened and I felt semi-comfortable.
One thing I noticed, though, is that if I sit on my right side, I'm good. However, if I sit, lay, or even curve towards my left side, I can feel the pulses pretty strongly and sometimes even to a point where they are VERY uncomfortable. However, on my right side, sometimes I feel nothing, and sometimes I can feel a very slight tingling down there, much like a TENS or IF unit. I can't really turn the unit down, as it's only on 1, so if this feeling continues, I may give Paul a call to see if it's normal or what I need to do.
I got dressed and rode home, gingerly on my right side. I got changed and took some of my meds. I have to get a snack to take the rest. Anyway, right before I changed clothes, I had another urge!! I was able to void again with only minimal pushing to start the void and NO pushing to continue and finish the void!!! AND, no post-void urgency or post-void increase in bladder spasms and pain, which is what I normally go through. Also, I got the first chance to look at everything when I changed. I've got one lead loose and attached to the generator, then another is taped up and waiting for day number five so it can be given a shot. Other than that, can't really see too much, just a bunch of gauze and tape across my whole lower back.
I am excited, but I am trying not to get too excited just yet. Paul said that with retention, it can take up to two weeks to really see a difference. But, the fact that I've had urges already and the ability to finish without pushing is a small feat in itself.
My back is feeling much better, very sore but no more of that burning feeling. Also, don't know if it's how I was lying in post op or if it's just a side effect of everything I've been through today, but my right hip/ thigh area is really hurting. If it keeps it up, I'll slap on one of my lidoderm patches later to help it out and maybe throw the heating pad down there.
I don't feel really groggy like you do with general anesthesia, I just feel kinda tired and beat up. I do notice that I have a touch of nausea right now, but at the same time, I'm really hungry, so I'll give something light a try.
Well, folks, this is the beginning. I've had the generator for just over two hours and have seen some improvements. But, they could be flukes...I don't want to do the touchdown dance quite yet. But, so far so good!
I hope I remembered everything to share. If anyone has a specific question about any part of the procedure or the first stage itself, feel free to ask! And thank you again for all your thoughts and prayers, they definitely helped more than you will know!!!
Claudia
Anyway, a few minutes later Dr. Evans came by and said he was almost ready and we would be rolling soon! After that, the nurse anesthetist came in and got me (after I peed one more time!). We walked back to the OR and I laid face up on a table, and right beside it was the "face down" table (I could tell by the pillows and how it was set up). They piled on the warm blankets and right away they gave me something for pain ( I wasn't able to take my pain meds this morning). They hooked me up to the blood pressure cuff and the pulse meter thing and the oxygen mask. One nurse said she was going to cath me, and she looked really apologetic, but I said, "Don't worry, I have to do it every day." Then the nurse put the "good stuff" into my IV. I didn't really feel anything. I was just looking around the ceiling waiting for a groggy feeling to kick in and waiting for my cath.
Well, next thing I knew, I was in the recovery room! I remember waking up and for some reason, the first thing I did was feel "down there" to see if I was still cathed, which I was. I wasn't groggy for very long, maybe 5-10 minutes. The nurse came to check on me and Paul, the Medtronics rep came in. He hooked up two wire leads (one at a time) to me and did different things with the generator and asked where and how much I felt it. He left, and I heard him outside the room explaining the generator to my husband, then he came in to explain it to me. I wear it for five days on one lead, then five days on the other, and that will carry me through to my post-op appointment. He also wrote his name and cell number on the generator itself in case I need him.
Just a couple minutes later, the nurse took out my cath and walked me to the second recovery area, back to a little recliner. Waiting for me was some cold gingerale and a packet of graham crackers. I finished them both off in a matter of moments, with no nausea whatsoever. The nurse came back, and I asked to pee. I had an urge to go!!!
I went to the bathroom, and I kid you not, this first time I peed, I DID NOT have to push to finish off my void. I also did not have any post-void urgency as I normally do. But, I tried not to get too excited. We went back to my recliner and she gave me some pain meds in my IV, as my back was burning really bad on each outer edge, due to the incisions, I'm sure. Within a few minutes, the burning lessened and I felt semi-comfortable.
One thing I noticed, though, is that if I sit on my right side, I'm good. However, if I sit, lay, or even curve towards my left side, I can feel the pulses pretty strongly and sometimes even to a point where they are VERY uncomfortable. However, on my right side, sometimes I feel nothing, and sometimes I can feel a very slight tingling down there, much like a TENS or IF unit. I can't really turn the unit down, as it's only on 1, so if this feeling continues, I may give Paul a call to see if it's normal or what I need to do.
I got dressed and rode home, gingerly on my right side. I got changed and took some of my meds. I have to get a snack to take the rest. Anyway, right before I changed clothes, I had another urge!! I was able to void again with only minimal pushing to start the void and NO pushing to continue and finish the void!!! AND, no post-void urgency or post-void increase in bladder spasms and pain, which is what I normally go through. Also, I got the first chance to look at everything when I changed. I've got one lead loose and attached to the generator, then another is taped up and waiting for day number five so it can be given a shot. Other than that, can't really see too much, just a bunch of gauze and tape across my whole lower back.
I am excited, but I am trying not to get too excited just yet. Paul said that with retention, it can take up to two weeks to really see a difference. But, the fact that I've had urges already and the ability to finish without pushing is a small feat in itself.
My back is feeling much better, very sore but no more of that burning feeling. Also, don't know if it's how I was lying in post op or if it's just a side effect of everything I've been through today, but my right hip/ thigh area is really hurting. If it keeps it up, I'll slap on one of my lidoderm patches later to help it out and maybe throw the heating pad down there.
I don't feel really groggy like you do with general anesthesia, I just feel kinda tired and beat up. I do notice that I have a touch of nausea right now, but at the same time, I'm really hungry, so I'll give something light a try.
Well, folks, this is the beginning. I've had the generator for just over two hours and have seen some improvements. But, they could be flukes...I don't want to do the touchdown dance quite yet. But, so far so good!
I hope I remembered everything to share. If anyone has a specific question about any part of the procedure or the first stage itself, feel free to ask! And thank you again for all your thoughts and prayers, they definitely helped more than you will know!!!
Claudia
I hope your pain and nausea will subside soon so you can enjoy your releif! Keep us posted!
Comment