November 1, 2019

Bowel and Bladder Care: One Woman’s Private Story

Written by Vanessa Lavin

Photo of Vanessa Lavin, a woman with a Spinal Cord Injury. The photo features her from the waist up and she is wearing a dark turtleneck shirt. She has shoulder length blonde hair and is smiling towards the camera.

I awoke with my body silenced. Paralysis of all four limbs… The conversation was simple. My surgeon sat at the side of my bed and gave me my prognosis: permanent and lifelong.

So, today I am writing this as my third year of quadriplegia approaches.Suppressed limbs were now my reality.

 Life can have a funny way of taking a weird turn.

Life can have a funny way of taking a weird turn. In an instant, dramatic life change can strike--even in the midst of some benign everyday activity. For me, it was unexpectedly falling into shallow beach water as we launched our little boat for the first time that summer. We were getting ready for fun in the sun. Then BAM! My life was totally transformed forever. Sure, I had expected at some point to hit a rough spot in my health down the road: signs of aging, aches, pains, maybe even cancer; but never, ever, did I entertain the thought of quadriplegia.

 ...what was spontaneous and free, now is strategically and carefully planned...

Now I do life in a different way. Though so drastically different, I am trying to keep it much the same as I it was before my injury. But what was spontaneous and free now is strategically and carefully planned out. As a woman, I do as much as I possibly can as I continuously adapt to my quadriplegia: parenting my two children, running errands, meeting friends for dinner and a movie. But all of this needs to be planned around my personal care.

My personal care is comparable to the beams and foundation of a home. Each day starts out very early with my bowel routine. The prescribed stool softeners still need the extra assistance of digital stimulation. Without this assistance I would be putting my health in grave danger. The threat of an Autonomic Dysreflexia episode is ever-present, so constipation for me is not an option. Just as proper bowel health and routine are a must, so is keeping my bladder empty (and happy). I do this by having a catheter in place 24/7. I have a nurse remove and replace my catheter weekly to help prevent urinary tract infections. I attach a Foley bag when I am in bed; otherwise I cap my catheter and empty my bladder every one and half to two hours. It’s rare that I have bladder accidents; I have become very aware when I need to urinate, and I empty my bladder when the need arises. My bowels prove to be a bit trickier. Even with strict consistency, my bowels at times let go anyways. These moments are humiliating and difficult as most times I am out of the house. Having good personal support workers or caregivers is critical during these times because prompt attention and clean-up is mandatory for good overall health.

CONSISTENCY AND GOOD PERSONAL CARE ARE KEY...

I know from very personal experience that bowel and bladder care is daunting, sometimes overwhelming, let alone humiliating. Consistency and good personal care are key to me having a fulfilled and active life within my home and my community. Because of these routines I am active and enjoying my life because there is still so much life for me to enjoy.

My life is rich because of my children. Being able to spend time with them and enjoy their company is something that cannot be measured. The fact that I am enjoying my friends and family and life in the community allows me to feel productive and valued as a person. That’s the important stuff.