This morning was my follow up appointment with my pain specialist for the pain pump surgery. I was very anxious for the appointment as he would be removing all the tape and bandages covering my tummy and back.
The short ride to town was hard…my lower back was hurting intensely and I could not have any pressure on it! So crazy…I had not felt that type of pain for a while…however, each of us knows how we can never predict where our pain will be!
We discussed the “improvement” in my pain…the absence of the sharp stabbing sensations…and spent time going over what steps we will be taking to achieve our ultimate goal. First step is to reduce my long term opioid med by about 30 percent. He increased the output of my pain pump by about 20 percent. I will go back in to see him next Wednesday for another increase.
Our ultimate goal, is for the pain pump to handle my usual, every day pain…and having the short acting opioid for break through (flares) pain.
It is SO surreal right now! It has been so long in coming…something that my body is responding to that will help me get off the opioids and thus alleviate the side effects (the nasty constipation).
My specialist used a hand held device that had what could be likened to a hockey puck type attachment that I held against my clothing over the pain pump. The device receives information from my pump and also sends information to my pump. Very cool! The initial adjustment was made before removing any of the tape and bandages.
We also had time to ask questions…so we talked about exactly where the catheter was placed into my spine and where the medication was being delivered to. Basically, placed into my spine in the mid-back, and placed mid-shoulder blade for delivery…this maximizes body wide the medication without getting too much to my brain. (This placement was determined by my “normal” pain typically being 60 percent above the waist and 40 percent below the waist.)
I was assisted to sit on the exam table…and with many apologies, he started removing the tape and bandages. The first bandage to be removed was from the right side of my tummy where there pain pump is located. He was SO impressed with how well my body is healing! (This is a first for me…as I usually heal very slowly!) Absolutely no signs of any type of infection….very little bruising…very little swelling (and I mean little compared to how my tummy has swollen before after procedures)! He then removed the tape and bandage from my back. Again, he had the same comments! (My husband took a picture of my back so I could see…and I was amazed!)
The excitement in the room was palpable! My pain specialist and his nurse were smiling ear-to-ear! To have such a huge positive start on this new adventure, had us all super excited!
We will have several more visits before we get the pain pump fully dialed in…baby steps…although I should say “giant” baby steps! Each step is in the right direction…more reliance upon the pain pump and less reliance upon the oral opioids.
I am supposed to continue wearing the binder as additional support. If I am reclining, I can take it off. At this time, it is easiest to just wear it.
I was also told that I could take a shower!!!! It will be another 4 to 6 weeks before I will be allowed to take a bath or get into a swimming pool.
Mom Is Sick -- For Parents & Kids 
Written
on June 23, 2014