Yesterday was a busy day around the house. I was feeling great though, and I didn't have any pain at all. I painted, I installed a new ceiling light, I drove a few errands in the car, I actually felt normal. That is probably the best day I've had since my vasectomy reversal surgery back in December.
Today I woke up feeling okay. "Wow", I thought. All that work yesterday and I'm waking up feeling just as good. However, I did stretch out pretty hard this morning in bed before I got up. I stretched my legs and arms like I haven't done in quite a while. Then I felt a slight sensation in my groin. Nothing that was painful or even that noticeable, to be honest with you. Just something that reminded me that I probably shouldn't be stretching that aggressively because something bad might happen.
I got dressed, drove us all to church, sat down and then "Wham". A pain came out of nowhere on my left groin side. Then "wham" again and a couple more times. Then we drove home (my wife drove this time) and I made a sandwich. Then my right side started hurting. I was having nerve pain again. In fact, as I type this, the nerve pain is hitting me on the right side.
I took the Rapaflo last night, just like I have the last several nights. But now, the pain is back. However, I think the pain on my left is still related to that pesky spermatocele. Today just happens to be only 54 degrees. When it's cold outside, my scrotum pulls up to my body and pushes that spermatocele into stuff that shouldn't be getting pressed upon. What about the right sided nerve pain? I think that is simply from me over doing it yesterday.
So today, I'm taking it easy. I'm going to help my son with his biography of John Wycliffe for school. Make sure he's ready for his spelling and history test at school tomorrow, and then I'm turning in early. We have almost everything done at our house. Just some packing away stuff for storage, add a touch up of paint here and there, etc. The big projects seem to be done. I have a couple of neighborhood kids taking care of the landscaping, mowing, edging, etc., so hopefully, I can continue to heal up in my pelvic area.
Oh, and not that this has anything to do with vasectomy side effects, but I was asked to teach next week's Sunday School for the 7-10 years olds. That's the first time our church has asked me to do anything like that. I hope I don't let them or the children down. It's quite an honor that I take seriously. Well, that's about it. Until next time, don't get a vasectomy.
Showing posts with label weekend. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weekend. Show all posts
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Monday Morning After a Busy Weekend, a Lesson in Patience
I had another good night sleep. I moved from side to side with no problems. I woke up and felt pretty good. Then I drove my kids to school and now I've got that little feeling again on my right side. Not pain really, just sensations that if all was well, I wouldn't be noticing.
Despite that though, I feel like I made it through the busy weekend pretty good. I seem to have less pain when I sit around and do nothing. Whereas before, I would have pain, even when I wasn't doing anything. So, I guess that's an improvement. I was telling my wife, that when I have periods in the day without pain, I forget that I have this post vasectomy pain syndrome. I start to feel normal and I think back the previous couple of days and think, "Oh, that wasn't so bad". I'm glad I'm keeping this online journal, because it helps me remember what kind of pain I had, when I had it, and how bad it was.
But even though I feel better, I know I can't overdo it. I've got to stay within myself and slowly push forward. It's like a steep climb to get just 1 or 2 feet in elevation, then there's this long flat plateau before I get to the next riser, which is only a couple of feet again, followed by another long flat plateau.
I feel like I'm on that second plateau. Mentally, I'm ready for some more climbing, but physically, I know I'm not ready. I still hope to be a PVPS success story, Lord willing. I think it's just going to take some time. So no treadmill for me yet. No heavy lifting or stooping/bending. Just daily stretching, casual walking around the neighborhood, eating better, less sitting, etc. I need to be active, but just what would be considered normal daily activity around the house.
Maybe I can get like a certain doctor whom I respect that has PVPS. He participates in triathalons, despite having this horrible condition. I admire him for that. Maybe I'll be able to get aggressive with my activity some day, but not right now. Right now I just need to recover from my reversal surgery, which may take up to a full year. Patience, patience.
Despite that though, I feel like I made it through the busy weekend pretty good. I seem to have less pain when I sit around and do nothing. Whereas before, I would have pain, even when I wasn't doing anything. So, I guess that's an improvement. I was telling my wife, that when I have periods in the day without pain, I forget that I have this post vasectomy pain syndrome. I start to feel normal and I think back the previous couple of days and think, "Oh, that wasn't so bad". I'm glad I'm keeping this online journal, because it helps me remember what kind of pain I had, when I had it, and how bad it was.
But even though I feel better, I know I can't overdo it. I've got to stay within myself and slowly push forward. It's like a steep climb to get just 1 or 2 feet in elevation, then there's this long flat plateau before I get to the next riser, which is only a couple of feet again, followed by another long flat plateau.
I feel like I'm on that second plateau. Mentally, I'm ready for some more climbing, but physically, I know I'm not ready. I still hope to be a PVPS success story, Lord willing. I think it's just going to take some time. So no treadmill for me yet. No heavy lifting or stooping/bending. Just daily stretching, casual walking around the neighborhood, eating better, less sitting, etc. I need to be active, but just what would be considered normal daily activity around the house.
Maybe I can get like a certain doctor whom I respect that has PVPS. He participates in triathalons, despite having this horrible condition. I admire him for that. Maybe I'll be able to get aggressive with my activity some day, but not right now. Right now I just need to recover from my reversal surgery, which may take up to a full year. Patience, patience.
Friday, April 22, 2011
My Prayer for Those Who Suffer Pain
I have to say that yesterday was one of my best days since my reversal. Of course, I didn't do any driving, lifting, vigorous activity, etc. However, it was nice to have a relatively stress free day (with regards to pain, that is). I only got a little stretching in yesterday before bed and I didn't get a chance to walk. I am hoping to do that today though, weather permitting.
We're trying to get the house ready to be put on the market, so that means projects to do. I'm doing some tape/bedding of drywall today and painting this weekend. Hopefully, that little activity won't be bothersome. When I paint though, I'll need to make sure I'm not straining my core with a lot of bending and stooping. That seems to exacerbate the nerve pain quite a bit.
So not much to report today and I hope it stays that way! I just keep asking God to help me and all of us who suffer from post-vasectomy pain and congestion. I get encouraged when I read about other men who have had the reversal and after about a year or so, say they're about 95% better. I just hope that is the case for me. I'd take 95% if it were offered right now. I think most of us would.
Prayer for the day. Lord God, show us mercy and help all those who are in pain. None of us asked for the pain, yet it's here. May we grow closer to you and become stronger as a result of the pain, but please bring us through it and make us well. May your will be accomplished in the healing and may it bring you glory. In Jesus name, Amen.
We're trying to get the house ready to be put on the market, so that means projects to do. I'm doing some tape/bedding of drywall today and painting this weekend. Hopefully, that little activity won't be bothersome. When I paint though, I'll need to make sure I'm not straining my core with a lot of bending and stooping. That seems to exacerbate the nerve pain quite a bit.
So not much to report today and I hope it stays that way! I just keep asking God to help me and all of us who suffer from post-vasectomy pain and congestion. I get encouraged when I read about other men who have had the reversal and after about a year or so, say they're about 95% better. I just hope that is the case for me. I'd take 95% if it were offered right now. I think most of us would.
Prayer for the day. Lord God, show us mercy and help all those who are in pain. None of us asked for the pain, yet it's here. May we grow closer to you and become stronger as a result of the pain, but please bring us through it and make us well. May your will be accomplished in the healing and may it bring you glory. In Jesus name, Amen.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Feeling Better Today
Okay, it's official - no more strenuous work for me, for at least a couple more months. Yesterday was just awful. I woke up in the night several times with nerve pain; I had pain in my "johnson" (code for, well, you know...); couldn't get comfortable at all yesterday evening/night. It was just a bad day.
People talk about a mental fog when you have this problem. Some relate it to low testosterone levels. I was talking to my wife about this though, and she has noticed that a lot of her chronic pain patients also talk about this mental fog. Her theory is that our minds are so preoccupied with pain, we lose our ability to focus and remember things. After yesterday, I'll have to agree with her. I couldn't focus on anything. I couldn't think about anything other than the pain. Because of this, yesterday was simply a blur in my mind. All I remember is the generic existance I had. I also remember having a lot of chest palpitations (stress related?), thinking that if I died, then at least I wouldn't have to deal with this chronic pain anymore.
The other bad thing about chronic pain is even when you're feeling good, you know it's only temporary, because the pain will come back.
So I've already told my wife, I can't do any more heavy work around the house. I'll make whatever phone calls need to be made, I'll do simple chores around the house, but any straining is completely out of the question. Thank goodness, she is okay with that. I still feel guilty about this decision, but that's something I have to get past. As someone on the forum said, you only get the chance to recover ONCE. I need to take advantage of that chance.
People talk about a mental fog when you have this problem. Some relate it to low testosterone levels. I was talking to my wife about this though, and she has noticed that a lot of her chronic pain patients also talk about this mental fog. Her theory is that our minds are so preoccupied with pain, we lose our ability to focus and remember things. After yesterday, I'll have to agree with her. I couldn't focus on anything. I couldn't think about anything other than the pain. Because of this, yesterday was simply a blur in my mind. All I remember is the generic existance I had. I also remember having a lot of chest palpitations (stress related?), thinking that if I died, then at least I wouldn't have to deal with this chronic pain anymore.
The other bad thing about chronic pain is even when you're feeling good, you know it's only temporary, because the pain will come back.
So I've already told my wife, I can't do any more heavy work around the house. I'll make whatever phone calls need to be made, I'll do simple chores around the house, but any straining is completely out of the question. Thank goodness, she is okay with that. I still feel guilty about this decision, but that's something I have to get past. As someone on the forum said, you only get the chance to recover ONCE. I need to take advantage of that chance.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Weekend and Ready for a Set-Back
The weekend is here, which means a little yard work, a little errand running (in the car) and a little more activity than I've grown accustomed to. All that translates to more pain on Sunday night, Monday, and Tuesday.
Think I'll make a pre-emptive strike and take some tylenol right now. I just got back from Home Depot with flowers and yard stuff. We're trying to get our house ready to sell, so we have a lot of work to do in the next couple of weeks, before we put it on the market. Anyway, after unloading the stuff and digging a small outline around a flower bed, I started feeling the pain in my inguinal area. No surprise. Hopefully, the tylenol will kick in.
One of the problems is, I don't know if I'm hurting myself more by doing work. When I feel pain, is that a signal that I should stop or can I keep going? Right now, I've been treating it like a stop sign. I go back inside and put my feet up on the recliner hoping I don't have to take any pain medicine. Maybe I'll try to just fight through some of this with pain medicine and see what that brings me.
Oh and by the way, the puffy thing on my left teste that was hard a couple days ago, is back to being soft again. What's the deal with that? Also, my wife and I haven't been together for about 2 weeks. I'll be interested in how things go - pain wise - when we connect next time.
Think I'll make a pre-emptive strike and take some tylenol right now. I just got back from Home Depot with flowers and yard stuff. We're trying to get our house ready to sell, so we have a lot of work to do in the next couple of weeks, before we put it on the market. Anyway, after unloading the stuff and digging a small outline around a flower bed, I started feeling the pain in my inguinal area. No surprise. Hopefully, the tylenol will kick in.
One of the problems is, I don't know if I'm hurting myself more by doing work. When I feel pain, is that a signal that I should stop or can I keep going? Right now, I've been treating it like a stop sign. I go back inside and put my feet up on the recliner hoping I don't have to take any pain medicine. Maybe I'll try to just fight through some of this with pain medicine and see what that brings me.
Oh and by the way, the puffy thing on my left teste that was hard a couple days ago, is back to being soft again. What's the deal with that? Also, my wife and I haven't been together for about 2 weeks. I'll be interested in how things go - pain wise - when we connect next time.
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