Independence Day

Today is July 4th, Independence Day for our nation. We're making plans for a BBQ over at some friends and maybe we'll light up a sparkler or two with the kids. Hopefully it will be a fun day full of distractions and good times. But in the back of my mind I'll wonder if the pain will strike. Will I be able to sit down with our friends for hours and just shoot the breeze over iced tea, corn on the cob and strawberry shortcake.

I know I have gained a measure of independence from the roller coaster nature of PVPS, as I take the new normal approach...which I discussed last time. But having true independence from the signs and symptoms of my vasectomy side effects is something that is more like a pipe dream than an attainable reality.

So the question that begs to be answered is, "Am I okay with that?"

I'd say my response is an affirmative as I really have no other choice. I have to be okay with that, since I simply have no other reality. But the Lord continues to help me in so many ways, with pain, with attitude, with distractions, with friends and family supporting me. His presence is truly overwhelming at times. And for that I am grateful.

I spoke of how my cardiac medicine changed away from an alpha/beta blocker to just a beta blocker. I wondered if it would have an impact on my pain or symptoms. The court is still out on this one. Surprisingly, my urine flow has changed quite a bit. I feel much more like an 'old man' in that realm, but the pain has actually become less chronic in nature. In other words, I don't have the chronic and continuous aches down there. Rather, I will just have a sudden twinge or sensation that comes out of nowhere then disappears as quickly as it came.

I don't know whether to attribute this to the change in medication or perhaps I'm just in a good way with my pain cycle. Regardless of the 'why', I am enjoying the break. In the past, when the pain cycle would flip over to the positive, I learned not to ask why, but just relish the new found relief.

On this July fourth, I am going to try to enjoy myself, my friends and my family. Hopefully, without the intrusion of any post vasectomy pain.

All my best to you and your families on this holiday. May the Lord keep you and help you.

A New Normal

I think this title sums everything up rather well. I'm experiencing a new normal in my life with regards to my post vasectomy pain symptoms. The swelling I experienced last month is still present. The random aches and pains continue. Life still revolves, somewhat, around how I'm feeling down there.

Viewpoint has a lot to do with everything. Is your cup half empty or half full. What a difference your approach makes. I believe having 'a new normal' approach is most helpful to me. When I experience a change in my symptoms, I just tell myself, "No big deal, it's just a new normal". For whatever reason, that seems to work for me. It keeps me off the emotional roller-coaster of getting too high when things are great and too low when everything kind of sucks.

So here's my most recent update since last month...I still have swelling on my right side. I'm having inexplicable pains or spasms, radiating out from my right groin area which extend to my right thigh, buttocks, lower back and side. This seems to result from over activity involving too much standing. Tylenol seems to help this pain, as I took 1000 mgs last night with good results.

I have had a change in my cardiac medicine. I'm now off the Coreg, which was an alpha and beta blocker. Now I'm taking Metoprolol, which is only a beta blocker. I'm wondering if removing the 'alpha blocking' component with impact how I feel in my groin, as I think alpha blockers are sometimes prescribed for men with prostate/urine flow issues. We'll see.

Other than that, not much else has changed. For those inclined, here is a link to my book about my vasectomy experience.