Baclofen Pump

On December 30^th I have to go into surgery and get my Baclofen Pump replaced with a new pump which is a hockey puck sized disk implanted in my stomach. It is replaced every 5 years . The pump releases this medicine called Baclofen which reduces spasticity. The surgery will not be as bad as the initial surgery because they do not have to replace the catheter leading to my spine, just the pump itself. However, I still have to go under which is always scary.  As it gets near to the time of replacement a single beep will go off. When it is close to stopping it gives off two beeps which are critical. If it does stop, you can have Baclofen withdraw which can result in either seizures or a coma. The Baclofen Pump has helped my walking tremendously. It has helped loosen muscles up and has made me able to walk. For that reason, I need to get a new one! I walked having the surgery about one day afterwards and there was minimal pain involved, but that was 5 years ago and my body has gotten that much older.

Showering

      There’s a point in the night I dread and it’s something that should be enjoyable. Taking a shower has gotten a ton easier, but it still requires a lot of effort. I use a walk-in shower due to the fact that I might fall because it’s slippery and I have this leg brace that I take off for the shower.

        Now there is a point where I enjoy the hot water streaming down my back, but that is short lived. The shower, as well as my wheelchair and a towel for the floor have to be perfectly set-up. What also needs to be perfectly setup is the shower bench has to be close to the water handle as well as the shampoos and soaps so I don’t have to get up. Since I can’t walk and hold the towel at the same time, I have to carefully place it on myself when I get in the wheelchair..

     My mother had to help me with the shower about a year after my accident, until I could do it myself. I have great pride in the fact that I can do it myself. I feel an enormous sense of accomplishment every-day after taking a shower, but there still is relief knowing that it’s all done. I hope that one day there won’t be relief, but I don’t believe that’s coming anytime soon. My best advice, is to just know your body extremely well. Try numerous techniques, with someone there of course, until you find the safest and easiest way for you.

       Also in order to live on your own, you must shower yourself.  Showering is such an independent thing so is living by yourself! The two go together.