ASK THE COACH: Battle of the B’s

By “Coach” Scott Chesney

Have you ever had the thought, “I just want control over my bladder and bowels back?” Guess what? You are far from being alone.

The constant challenges that I and so many of you experience with your bladder and bowels on a daily basis can best be described as battles. But trust me: With a combination of more effective treatments, medicines, technology and our simply taking care of ourselves on a daily basis, we are winning the war.

My question to you is, “Are you doing your part?” You may feel as if you are on autopilot when it comes to your bladder and bowels or wherever you may be paralyzed, but never forget that it is still your body and you are in control.

Someone once told me, “Why not love your body? You have been sleeping with it your whole life.” Hmmm. Something to think about.

Here are some questions/comments that I have received on this subject:

Jeremy writes, “I can’t leave the house for fear of having a bowel movement.”

Alison writes, “I never thought how much more paralyzing life could be until I began a bowel program.”

Cory asks, “Do you get UTIs (urinary tract infections) often? It seems like I am getting one every 2-3 months. What am I doing wrong? My bowels are a pain in the you know what, as well. Please send me some advice.”

Needless to say, our bladder and bowel programs are challenges for many of us. So what can we do?

With regards to our bladder program, see your urologist every 6-12 months, even if you have not had a UTI or any problems. Maintenance is the key for the longevity of anything. Be clean. Take the extra time to be as germ-free as possible. Don’t put off catheterizing if you are having a good time or afraid of missing out on something. Be disciplined and do what you have to do, plain and simple.

With regards to your bowel program, make sure you talk to your SCI doctor about this part of your life and don’t leave it behind (no pun intended). Seriously, create a bowel program that works for you and keep in mind that your diet plays a major role. I have been using Enemeez suppositories for years now and have never had a problem. Find out what works for you and go for it!

As much of an importance as many of us place on our bladder and bowel programs, I want to take this opportunity to conduct a very simple survey. When, not if, the day comes when cures for SCI are discovered, in order of importance, please list the following parts of your life that you will be thrilled to have control over again:

• The ability to walk
• Control of your bladder
• Control of your bowels function,
• Being more sexual (physically)
• Upper limb activities (feeding yourself, brushing teeth, etc.)

Please shoot me a quick e-mail, schesney@unitedspinal.org, ranking these in their order of importance to you. No names will be mentioned, so please send me your feedback. I will share the results in my next column.

All of these could certainly be placed in the category of independence, something we all strive for in our lives. Even if you are somewhat independent in your life, such as being able to get from one destination to the next, there are certainly parts of your life that have been taken from you that prevent you from having full independence.

This leads me to my next request. I would welcome the opportunity to hear what independence means to you. Maybe you are thankful for still having some independence in your life, but frustrated for other parts of your life that you feel dependent upon other for at this stage in your life. Whatever you unique perspective is on this subject, I want to know about it. We are all in this together.

If you want to go fast…go alone
If you want to go far…go together

An African Proverb

Scott Chesney, paralyzed 22 years ago as the result of a rare stroke, is a popular international motivational speaker and life coach. You can reach him via e-mail at schesney@unitedspinal.org.

This column is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as offering medical advice. If you have a medical condition requiring attention, please seek the help of qualified medical professionals.