Leveling The Pain of Interstitial Cystitis: InterStim - Part One: Day of Surgery *Graphic photos*

I'm home. and it's all over... The surgery, that is.

Life for me?

So many silly cliches I could site. I'll save them for the end of this entry.

I arrived at the surgery center on time. Of course, the doc was already behind schedule and we were told that our wait would be another hour. It really wasn't that bad. They had "Live With Kelly & Mike" on. I rarely watch morning television, but I had to admit: these two make a great team. The hour went by quickly.

I was called back and my nurse, Donna, was very nice. She had me change into lovely hospital PJs. Soon Rob came back and then the fun for him began. I had explained to Donna earlier that I was a bad stick. She not only proclaimed to be a bad stick, herself, but that she loved bad sticks and loved a challenge. Two failed and very painful attempts later, she handed the tourniquet to the anesthesiologist who nailed it. She had to place the needle facing an odd angle, but as long as she got it, I didn't care which way it faced; it was IN. I then told all of the nurses that they had my permission to slap my husband for laughing. Later, he told me that he was laughing not at me, but at Donna. She really did like to tell us - over and over - how she rarely had problems getting even the worst veins. He knows it's bad for me.

After that, I got a pre-op dose of Ancef. It turned my stomach. But it quickly passed. And then it was time to go back. I kissed Rob. No "good-bye." Ever. It's "Later, babe." Now, my nerves began to shatter.

A drastic temperature change. Freezing. I was told to lay on my belly and find a comfy position (yeah, right) and try to stay that way. I had oxygen via canulla. I could see my anesthesiologist - the same lovely woman that got the IV in - sitting in front of me. I was crying a little. She then told me that she was now going to give me something (Propofol) through the IV to relax me a bit. I asked her if this would make me not care about the needles that were about to be put into my butt. She smiled and said that I wouldn't have a care in the world. I could now feel the Propofol. But I asked,

"Can I get a little more?" I was joking. She said,

Dr. Conrad Duncan.

"Of course, doll!" And that's all I remember until they began waking me up. I have no idea what they were doing, but I do know that I talked not only Dr. Duncan's, but the entire OR staff's ears off. I do recall wanting to do something nice for Dr. Duncan. He's been with me for almost three years from the very first vaginal mesh erosion. He's not only a great doctor, but he's a great guy. I have his personal cell number. He hugs and kisses me every time we meet. He calls me at home to check on me and we end up talking about different kinds of plants. He's truly an exceptional man.

I kept asking him, "Tell me some things that you like. Do you collect stuff?" He said he really didn't (or maybe he did, I just don't remember!) I said, "Food? Drinks? Wine? Tea?" He then said, "Oh! I love Bob Marley coffee!" The staff and I were all saying that we'd never heard of that.
Well, here it is: Marley Coffee! I'll be getting him some. I wish I could have some. Coffee, for me, is a big NO-NO.

So, I get wheeled into recovery. I was extremely thirsty. After a few moments, Rob came back and then I was given some illegal (IC unfriendly) diet ginger ale. I was told that right after surgery, IC rules go out the window. Okay, but if it flares me... and that's when my incision pain kicked in. Oh. holy HELL. I was given percocet, but only after I ate two cheese crackers. I choked on them. So dry, still. I had to pee. Bad. My nurse brought a bed pan and I used that, but it took some crazy maneuvering to get it situated.

The nurse took my IV out and then let me rest a while. Then the rep from Medtronic came in and spent about 20 minutes teaching me how to use my InterStim controllers. Then she turned them on. I was very nervous. She did about 6 different settings per side, asking how it felt. We finally found the levels that I could feel, comfortably, but I was told not to turn it off. I could change the settings so that I could feel them. She also said that soon, I'd forget that they were on. That's already happened. It feels like a vibration; like a vibrator just outside the vagina, if was resting on the outside of my body. That's the right lead. The left lead is for the bowel area and that vibration is deep within my vagina, but felt deep inside my anal area.

By now, I had to pee again. The nurse said she wanted me to walk to the bathroom. I stood, and my bladder just failed. I peed all over myself. I was dressed, too. I cried. "It's failing already!" The nurse said that it wasn't failing. I made it to the bathroom and she helped me clean up and gave me a huge Chux to put into my wet panties. I was very discouraged at this point. I got back and I was given my walking papers. The staff really was very nice and caring. I was reassured by the Medtronic Rep that my little accident is quite normal immediately after surgery.

The ride home was not fun. I noticed another painful area: my left butt-cheek. Right in the center. That's where both leads are. Every bump... major owies. I made it home. Steps are okay, but not fun. I was very nervous about my dog. As expected, he came running to me. I bolted - as fast as I could - to the bedroom and closed the door.

I hugged my boys, came back into the bedroom and fell sound asleep.

I have urinated three times since coming home. No running to pee! Oh! I totally forgot. We stopped at Wendy's as I was famished. I got a chicken asiago and I ate it when I got home. Now, before today, I would have been to the bathroom at least 4 times within 10 minutes of eating. Especially since I have had nothing since 11:00pm last night.

I have yet to go!

It's WORKING!

Now, as promised, I thought I'd show you what is going on so you get a better idea. I wear two devices that look like pagers. The gray wire you see is somewhat long and is tucked into my pants. That grey wire is then connected to a very thin wire.

The dial on the right allows me to change the level of stimulation.

Warning; the next photo is a bit bloody.

These are the tiny wires that need to be kept under clothing. They are not stitched and can easily be pulled out. Even certain body movements can tug on these and it's very painful.

I have been instructed to keep two diaries. The first one a urination journal: Simple enough:

Already improvements are seen!

And the other journal: For bowel movements. This journal is a little more... detailed, if you will:

Did they really have to draw me a picture?

So, there you have it. Day one. So far, so good. A lot of pain, I can't lie. But I think the IC pain has lessened, some. Right now, the only pain I am experiencing is the areas where the wires are and where the leads are inside my left butt cheek. It's intense. But, I'm optimistic. I'll be sleeping in our bed by myself for a few nights. We can't take a chance on Rob accidentally ripping out a wire, and I'm really too sore. If he were to accidentally kick my butt - hee hee - I'd have to hurt him. So, we set up the bedroom so that I can easily get up. Rob has the left side of the bed; I need it, now. It's sofa-city for him... but he actually doesn't mind. I'll miss him... but he'll be back.

In the meantime, I have a cool new video game I want to play. Or, I might just go to sleep while my pain is at bay. It's been a ... day. I'm looking forward to tomorrow. I'm looking forward to pooping. There's a sentence I never thought I'd say. I am, though. I'm curious and anxious to know if I can have a normal movement without that horrible feeling of imminent doom.

So, it really is the first day of the rest of my life. So much will change if this InterStim works. I may even be able to work again! Anyone hiring? Okay, okay... let's not get hasty. All in good time. I'm off to relax.

Until next time, enjoy this tune that is now suddenly stuck in my head.