I did it. After several years of being restricted by a disobedient bowel program, I traveled solo for the first time after the BCIR procedure.
Continue reading “Yes, I Traveled to Florida (But not for THAT Reason)”
Category: BCIR
BCIR for Bowel Program Maintenance with Spinal Cord Injury
A 3-month post-surgery video update on how the BCIR (Barnett Continent Intestinal Reservoir) surgery has given me the ability to independently do my bowel program for the first time in 29 years.
BCIR Update #7
A lot has happened since my last update. I flew home. Then less than two weeks later I flew back to Florida. Continue reading “BCIR Update #7”
BCIR Update #6
I’m home. I’m on IV antibiotics and had a scary run-in with sepsis the last week. But I’m home. Continue reading “BCIR Update #6”
BCIR Update #5
I started to write this update 10 days ago. It began: “I’m dressed. I transferred into my chair. I’ve been spending about 45 minutes twice a day outside here in Florida’s fresh, breezy warm air. But Thursday or Friday will be the true test: I will begin intubating (using the stoma to empty the new pouch).”
Today (Thursday, May 17) I’m still sitting in a Florida hospital room, drinking Miralax to clean my system out for a second surgery to repair a fistula (same one as last time). Continue reading “BCIR Update #5”
BCIR Update #4
I had not expected this update to be written from a hospital bed. I “should have been” discharged last week and back at home. Instead I had surgery for a fistula on Sunday. Continue reading “BCIR Update #4”
BCIR Update #3
Well, I knew when I decided to have this procedure there were risks of complications. Unfortunately, I’m one of the people to develop a fistula. A fistula is a small hole. Mine is located near the top of the pouch and leads to the surface of the skin. When a I began intubating on Wednesday, it didn’t go well. By evening, I was back on suction with a scope scheduled for Thursday. After the scope confirmed the fistula, I had a CT Scan with contrast. Continue reading “BCIR Update #3”
BCIR Update #2
I thought I knew what I was getting myself in to. And yet…
This is so much harder than I ever imagined. Continue reading “BCIR Update #2”
BCIR Update #1
Due to overwhelming support, but inadequate energy, here’s a brief overview of my BCIR journey so far. BCIR is an internal continent catheterizable colostomy with no external appliances like a colostomy or iliostomy. Go to www.bcir.com for more info on the procedure and here for my journey on the decision.
I enjoyed “My Last Supper” and took in a beautiful Florida sunset.
My Decision to Have BCIR for Bowel Program Management
I plan on having surgery at the end of the month (as long as insurance cooperates). Watch this video to hear about the BCIR procedure and how I hope this will help me gain back one of the biggest losses that comes with a spinal cord injury.
For information on BCIR, Palms of Pasadena Hospital and Dr. Rehnke, go to BCIR.com.