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Pelvic Floor Exercise Reminders
Like many people with a neo I have a huge problem remembering to do my PFE regularly. There’s lots of reasons for this including an emotional reaction to them which creates a block. but the primary culprit is probably laziness! someone suggested to me today to get a sheet of those dot stickers that you can buy in stationery shops (bright ones; red or green will do) and then place them in locations round the house that I’ll notice them; door frame, above computer screen, kitchen cupboard etc. Every time I notice one it reminds me to do my exercise. I could also put them in the office. Clearly you don’t want to be overdoing the exercises so don’t go mad and maybe tailor your regimen to fit the new method. it seems like a really good idea to me and really struck a chord. this came via a friend’s mother who is a doctor so it has reasonable credibility. Reasonable idea or crazed raving?
all the best
tim
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13 Replies
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Oh Yeah, and I forgot to mention he cooked dinner too!! :) Sorry Zach, had to throw that one in too!
We are very pleased with his progress. Mom’s been working hard making up the lost income and isn’t home too much, so I think he’s just bored. I’m glad he’s finding little things to do rather than sit there!
Oh, and for those that were interested in a report: the Watchminder watch I purchased for him is fantastic!! It eats through the batteries pretty quick, but I have reminders for him to check his glucose, take insulin and eat..I had hourly bathroom trips in there but I think that is what ate the battery. Gives a nice silent vibration and wakes him up at night too. Pretty cool! He actually likes it a lot, which made me very happy. andrea
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Hi Zach- Bob’s wife here- LOL- after almost a year,may I say—-“it’s about time”. Now, if he could just get out a paint brush………….. Seriously though, he does look good & his spirit is much improved. We pray that the worst is over & we are hoping that 2008 will be a good year. Best Regards, Lorrie
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[quote author=dadhasbc link=topic=1436.msg11106#msg11106 date=1196403152]
He is gaining weight, he’s walking, today when I went over he was doing laundry, dishes and taking out garbage.
[/quote]Andrea, please don’t post information like this.
My wife might see it… ;D
“Standing on my Head”––my chemo journal
T3a Grade 4 N+M0
RC at USC/Norris June 23, 2006 by Dr. John Stein
Thanks for that info Zach, seems like a few people are confused about kegels and that info helps alot. Dad saw a physiotherapist for the first time today and apparently they are going to refer him to a “continence specialist” to help out with the kegels etc. He really hasn’t had a lot of information about them, just to do them.
Other than that, I have to say, he looked fantastic!! Finally, it seems like we are getting somewhere. He is gaining weight, he’s walking, today when I went over he was doing laundry, dishes and taking out garbage. I was quite impressed!
andrea
[quote author=bobmac2 link=topic=1436.msg11022#msg11022 date=1196253727]
Bob has started doing the exercises but is experiencing quite a lot of pain. Is he doing too many? We have his reminder watch set for every hour. Could someone possibly describe the technique?
[/quote]Here is a post I wrote a while back about kegels–I hope it clarifies things a bit:
http://tinyurl.com/2yflxu
“Standing on my Head”––my chemo journal
T3a Grade 4 N+M0
RC at USC/Norris June 23, 2006 by Dr. John Stein
I went to a local Physical Therapist today for advice. Got more than i wanted. More on that later. He said if you do the exercises wrong or hold them for too long, you actually weaken the muscles. He has this bio-feedback deal to test the strength of your pelvic floor muscles before starting therapy. On the other hand, he has no real experience with a neo-bladder, just pelvic floor expertise.
I’m trying to keep an open mind. My doctors assistant told me that 3 weeks post op is too soon to start exercises. I should wait 2 more weeks. I’m going to go to a Physical Therapist in Baltimore that works with my doctor in a couple of weeks to get more definitive information
All these opinions…who knows what to do.
Mike
Michael
Age 58
Stage T2-T3, muscle invasive
Married to Eileen
2 sons, ages 20 and 23
Bob has started doing the exercises but is experiencing quite a lot of pain. Is he doing too many? We have his reminder watch set for every hour. Could someone possibly describe the technique? He isn’t sure that he is doing it correctly. How soon should he see some results? he doesn’t have the sensation of ‘peeing’. If he tightens his muscles he can force urine out, but he can’t not pee if that makes sense. Any help would be much appreciated. I called the Dr.’s office but they just said – ‘. several times a day, the more the better’. Thanks in advance, I know we will get better advice here than at the Dr.’s- Lorrie
I’m glad you all thought it seemed useful! I am hoping Dad’s will arrive today, and I will begin programming it. It does sound like programming is a little technical, but I’m not worried about that. I’m just hoping it will help Dad keep everything on track. I have to make sure I don’t put in too many reminders, or he might start to ignore them!
andrea
Thia is a great idea! I just ordered one for my husband. He can use it to remind himself to cath, to take his pain meds, to get up and stretch, to call me and tell me he appreciates me…..I’m going to program it myself!
Stephany in Iowa
Andrea what a wonderful idea. I bet it would work for this caregiver that’s just a little forgetful too.
I’m checking into it and please do let us know how it works.
hugs
justme pat
it sounds good. I’ll give it a look.
tim
My dad has been forgetting lots of things: his new insulin, eating and I’m sure Kegels will be forgotten as well when he starts doing them.
So, I have found the most fantastic thing. It is called the Watchminder. It is a normal looking digital watch, which has up to 30 daily reminder alarms which can be customized with text: Take insulin! Eat Something! Go Pee! and now since you have reminded me “Gimme 20! (Kegels)” :)
Best of all, it is a vibration alarm, which for my dad will be fantastic as he is hard of hearing, for others, it is just a nice personal alarm, very discrete.
For those interested, here is the website: http://watchminder.com/features/ Mine is shipping right now, should arrive by Tuesday. It was actually developed as a life tool for kids/adults with ADHD, but has many more applications. I think it is going to be fantastic for dad, and should help him to remember all of the things he needs to remember. Its only $79+ shipping and has nice big numbers.
Just thought I would share, Once I get it, I’ll let you know a little more about it!! andrea
I think it’s a good idea Tim. I soon begun to forget my PFE’s as soon as my new plumbing started to work as it should post op. The first obvious sign that I needed to do them again was when I leaked at night. I’ll do them again until the leaks stop, but as soon as that clears up – I’m back to my old forgetful laziness again. The real secret to PFE’s is consistency, the sticker technique goes a long way to keeping that momentum.
Karl
Winning the battle :-)Sign In to reply.